CGSU-UE is a worker-powered union, where its members are at the center of each fight. As a member of CGSU-UE you are equipped with a contract that allows you to fight for better working conditions with the support of our steward system.
Our contract summary and contract zine are the best tools to quickly find the articles related to your workplace issue. If you want to read all the details, you can find our full contract here. Our steward system is designed to help you find a steward in your area who understands the specifics of your work / research. You can find our lead stewards and the areas they represent here.
If you would like to help us keep building a strong union, become a union steward! RSVP to attend one of the upcoming Interim Steward Trainings.
The following are examples of common workplace issues and the articles that can help you file them as grievances:
if You are working more than 15 hours every week
Our Workload article clearly states that “Appointment duties shall not exceed twenty (20) hours in any week, averaging no more than fifteen (15) hours per week.” Work beyond this limit shall primarily benefit employee’s degree progress. The article also lists the types of work that constitutes part of the workload. It also specifies regular work hours.
if you are working in hazardous conditions in your lab
The Health and Safety article of our contract states that graduate workers may request workplace safety evaluations, supplies, PPE, facilities, and training necessary to complete their appointment-related duties safely. It also states that graduate workers must not be retaliated against for reporting unsafe conditions.
It requires that Cornell provide resources consistent with government public health requirements when infectious disease conditions are present, and provide resources to promote the safe completion of appointment-related field work.
if you are being asked to leave your program, or if you are feeling uncertainty about your funding
The Appointment Security article ensures graduate workers in good academic standing will be provided with funding provisions during every fall, spring, and summer semester and will have access to transitional funding for interruptions in planned funding and for changing their special committee chair.
This article also establishes the first union-negotiated academic due process to ensure that no graduate worker can be placed in bad academic standing or terminated without clear notice, a fair and equitable evaluation, and reasonable time, benchmarks and opportunity to improve. This article also defines procedures for conditional passes and fails for degree milestone exams.
If the international services office (ISO) is not answering to your requests
The International Employee Rights article states that “Cornell’s International Services Office (ISO) will support all international Employees and will provide accurate and up-to-date information regarding US policies concerning international Employees.” Additionally, ensures that the ISO will provide necessary documentation for international Employees in a timely manner: “In the case where documentation is necessary for an Employee to enter the country, the University shall respond to requests for support within a timely manner. The University shall provide the necessary documents within five (5) working days, except in extreme circumstances.”
Would you like to help us keep building a strong union? Become a steward!