Graduate Student Union Bargaining Update

To: Faculty and Graduate Students
From: Katherine Baicker, Provost
Subject: Graduate Student Union Bargaining Update
Date: February 9, 2024

Yesterday, Graduate Students United - United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (GSU-UE) requested that its members pledge their willingness to participate in a strike, should a strike ultimately be voted on and authorized by union leadership. We strongly believe that discussion about a possible strike by GSU-UE is premature. The University of Chicago continues to have constructive, good-faith negotiations with GSU-UE.

At yesterday’s bargaining session, we made significant progress, reaching tentative agreements on time-off benefits; transitional funding for students in BSD, PME, and PSD; and employee assistance, including a commitment by the University to create a tailored graduate student employee assistance program. We have made proposals related to compensation, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, childcare stipends, and more. Tentative agreements have already been reached on nearly all non-economic proposals. The University is committed to continuing to demonstrate flexibility and a sincere willingness to find common ground.

With the substantial progress made to date, we are optimistic that we can come to a comprehensive agreement without a strike. A strike would be harmful to graduate students and the University community. Striking graduate students would not be paid during a strike, and progress toward their academic degrees might be affected. However, should GSU-UE decide to strike, the University will be prepared to minimize disruption to our campus community.