Progressive Caucus continues support of the Graduate Workers of Columbia

In solidarity with the graduate workers of Columbia University, the New York City Council Progressive Caucus sent a letter to President Lee Bollinger and members of the Columbia University Board of Trustees urging them to begin negotiations with elected representatives of these workers who have voted to engage in collective bargaining.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) verified last week that postdoctoral researchers voted decisively – 68% – in favor of unionization.  The latest count indicates that 5,000 researchers and teachers have now voted by a more than 2 to 1 margin for UAW representation at Columbia University.

The Progressive Caucus has supported the graduate workers’ efforts to unionize in the past, including their strike in April. We support the right of these workers to unionize with the goal of enhancing their ability to provide quality teaching and research at Columbia.