Background
CWA represents roughly 4,500 graduate workers who teach, grade, research and mentor at SUNY schools. All SUNY graduate workers must pay mandatory fees. For a Graduate Assistant engaged in full-time coursework, the average fees exceed $2,000 a year; the average stipend is $20,000. This means that on average, a grad worker pays 15% - 25% of their salary back to the employer in order to work.
What We're Fighting For
- Permanently phasing out broad-based fees for graduate student employees who serve at least a half time appointment.
- Phased out over the next four years in the FY23 budget.