Updates
Subject: Information About the Campaign to Unionize Postdoctoral Researchers
Date: Monday, August 26, 2024
Dear colleagues,
Earlier this month, the University received notice from a group named the United Postdoctoral Researchers of Rockefeller-UAW (UPROR-UAW) of their intention to form a union to represent all postdoctoral researchers and research associates. This union is affiliated with the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers Union of America (UAW), and the group has worked with the UAW to file a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), seeking to hold an election for certification of the union.
We are working collegially and cooperatively with NLRB and union representatives to support a secret-ballot election, which will be conducted by the NLRB on our campus on September 18th and 19th. The proposed bargaining unit for the union includes all Rockefeller postdoctoral researchers with the titles: postdoctoral associate, postdoctoral fellow, and research associate. All individuals included in this proposed bargaining unit will be eligible to vote in the election. After discussion, the union agreed with the University that individuals who are employed by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and work at the University will be excluded from the proposed bargaining unit, and are thus not eligible to vote in the election.
Our community places an exceptional value on our shared mission of science for the benefit of humanity. This upcoming vote will have important implications for all current and future postdocs and for the future conduct of science at Rockefeller. We consequently believe it is critical that all members of the community be well-informed before casting their vote on this very significant matter.
We respect postdoctoral researchers’ advocacy and their desire to make the Rockefeller experience the very best it can be. Indeed, we share those goals. Postdocs are attracted to Rockefeller because the University, its faculty and laboratories provide an outstanding opportunity for postdocs to advance their careers, owing to our singular focus on biomedical research, our outstanding scientific resources, and our exceptional and cohesive community. These features are enhanced by excellent compensation and benefits. We believe the total compensation for our postdocs—including salary, health insurance, and unmatched support for campus-proximal housing and onsite childcare for the duration of their appointments—sets a national standard.
Beyond compensation, postdoctoral researchers are respected and supported by their mentors and the broader community. We believe that an important element to the extraordinary success of Rockefeller has been the collegial relationships and respect shown among all constituencies on campus. We believe that while introducing a union into this dynamic might offer minimal benefits, it also risks potential disruptions to the collaborative environment that is crucial to our scientific culture. Additionally, a one-size-fits-all union contract might not align with the flexibility required for the conduct of scientific research and might not provide appropriate support for the initiative, ambition, and needs of individual scientists.
Rockefeller is a small institution with a flat administrative structure, and postdoctoral researchers here have regular and direct access to lab heads and institutional leaders. This openness allows for easy communication of general and personal requests, suggestions, and the reporting of any issues or grievances. Our collective mission is clear and well-aligned: we are all committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and rewarding scientific environment. This ensures that all members of our community can develop their research skills, excel in their academic endeavors during their time at Rockefeller, and thrive in their future careers.
We encourage all eligible postdoctoral researchers to vote on September 18th and 19th. A simple majority of those who vote will determine the outcome for all. In the interest of being well-informed for that vote, we encourage you to visit https://www.rockefeller.edu/postdocunionization/ to see facts about current postdoctoral researcher compensation and benefits, and the ramifications of having a union represent you. You may wish to discuss these issues with your colleagues, including your faculty mentors.
If you have questions or comments, you can send an email to postdocunioninfo@rockefeller.edu.
With best wishes,
Rick Lifton and Tim Stearns
Richard P. Lifton, M.D., Ph.D.
Carson Family Professor
Laboratory of Human Genetics and Genomics
President
The Rockefeller University
Tim Stearns, Ph.D.
Dean of Graduate and Postgraduate Studies
Vice President for Educational Affairs
Laboratory of Cellular Dynamics
The Rockefeller University