Vision Statement of the University at Stony Brook University Postdocs Union

We, the Postdocs of Stony Brook University, are committed to producing world-class, cutting-edge research, as well as building an open and equitable workplace to provide our diverse student body with excellent mentorship. We are in the midst of an ever-worsening affordability crisis stripping people of the dignity of a sustainable life, and its effects on our personal lives are also detrimental to our research and mentorship. In this environment we have come together to form a union under the Communications Workers of America (CWA).

We are unionizing to empower ourselves to ensure our needs as employees are met in order to be able to provide the best research output possible for Stony Brook University. Together, with a seat at the bargaining table, we can push to secure better working conditions including:

  1. Annual salary increases  
  2. Transparency of communications with the RF about payroll status and updates
  3. Expanding existing benefits in our contract, such as better insurance premiums and lower out-of-pocket medical costs
  4. Professional development resources and funding
  5. Making sure our labs meet safe standards
  6. Parking access and affordability
  7. Disciplinary protections
  8. Job security
  9. Housing support, protections, and accommodations
  10. A voice in employment-related immigration and visa issues
  11. Greater input on policies that affect Postdocs

As a union, we aim to ensure that the needs of our diverse population are addressed as our conditions evolve. For instance, many of us are international workers who require additional protections, or have dependents who rely on our support. All of this occurs against the background of an ongoing affordability crisis. Despite this, many of us are paid below the minimum wage set by the NIH. A union will help ensure us security, compensation, and a more stable work-life balance that lets us pursue our research effectively and provide quality mentorship to the Stony Brook University student body.

We request that the SUNY RF recognize our union and respect our rights to organize by remaining neutral during this process.