Mass Action Works

Hundreds of GSWs and Postdocs call for a Strike Authorization Vote during a

Mass Membership Meeting

Within 48hrs of the meeting, Caltech admin:

  • Responded with their first healthcare proposal
  • Doubled the number of scheduled bargaining dates through January (6→13 days)!
  • Proposed an Agency Shop in their first counter proposal on Union Security, which is nearly unheard of in contract negotiations

This opened discussions on a major economic article and got us that much closer to a ratified, strong first contract. The proof is at the table: collective, mass action still works.

On November 19th, GSWs and Postdocs made history at Caltech. SIX HUNDRED of us gathered on Parsons-Gates Lawn in front of the administration building to send a clear message that we are willing to fight for a fair contract now. We heard from international scholars who expressed their concerns over the upcoming Trump administration, learned about the debt incurred by parents who have been provided insufficient financial support, and during the open mic heard from G1s who are committed to winning a strong contract that will affect them for the majority of their time at Caltech. Our elected bargaining team members wrote a resolution calling for a Strike Authorization Vote (SAV) that was overwhelmingly approved.

The SAV will take place online on December 4th and 5th. Learn more here: Strike Authorization Vote FAQ.

The fight for a safe and secure workplace

We have already made major strides in improving our working conditions. Multiple tentative agreements enshrine a series of transformative protections, including:

  • Guaranteed two-year initial appointments for all Postdocs, which means two-year initial visas.
  • Strong protections against harassment and bullying, including processes that do not rely on the Title IX office.
  • A new grievance process that provides us with enforceable timelines, the right to peer advocacy, and access to neutral, third-party arbitration. Importantly, this process can be applied to instances of discrimination, harassment, or bullying in the workplace. 
  • Health and safety guidelines that ensure students are protected in the lab and in the field. 

Check out the What We’ve Won page for more details and information on why these improvements matter!

In response to Caltech administration’s refusal to agree to protections against bullying, harassment, and discrimination, over 300 of us rallied on July 19th outside of Parsons-Gates Hall of Administration. In an early workplace survey, 46% of surveyed workers witnessed or experienced discrimination, harassment, or abuse at Caltech. From every division, brave GSWs and Postdocs powerfully shared their stories of being threatened or bullied by their supervisors, and the failure of existing structures at Caltech (including the Title IX office) to do anything about it. We then marched to the Title IX office and taped our list of stories with clear expectations for the bargaining table to the door. 

Together, Postdocs and GSWs demonstrated the clear overwhelming need for change at Caltech and in turn won industry-leading protections. Following our We Keep Us Safe rally, over the course of six back-to-back bargaining sessions from July 24-26 and July 29-31, Caltech administration agreed to our demands. Instead of 14 month or 16 month Title IX cases, often with unsatisfactory experiences, GSWs and Postdocs can now choose our union process in parallel with Title IX and with at most 90 days to mediation. 

Over 100 of us showed up to the bargaining sessions June 17-18th as our bargaining teams presented healthcare and wages proposals. During those sessions, six new tentative agreements were reached, including those addressing our new grievance process, health and safety, and a first-of-its-kind free speech article that protects the right to mass action. These wins are a direct result of mass engagement from all of us.