Bargaining Committee Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the bargaining committee is to negotiate an initial collective bargaining agreement with the St. Louis University administration’s team. Election to the bargaining committee obligates each member to represent and fight for the best possible contract for all members of the bargaining unit.

See below for specific responsibilities.

• Develop initial bargaining goals for ratification by union supporters across campus, using surveys, other relevant contracts, membership feedback from other sources, etc.
• After ratification of initial bargaining goals, develop and present contract language proposals to the SLU administration’s bargaining team for negotiation.
• Attend and lead negotiating sessions with the administration and union internal caucuses or meetings in order to advance our bargaining agenda.
• Assess, analyze and respond to the SLU administration’s bargaining proposals and develop union counter proposals.
• Keep the membership and allies informed and educated about the negotiations and the process.
• Coordinate with the organizing committee to win a strong contract that can be recommended for ratification through attending the weekly organizing committee meetings and attending working groups and other activities.
• Work with department leaders to help mobilize workers as necessary to help keep membership engaged as we negotiate our agreement.
• Make a recommendation to the membership on whether to approve a contract or take other actions (e.g. a vote to authorize the committee to call for strike action if necessary).

Committee members should assume that the time commitment will be significant. As a baseline, an average time commitment of at least 5-10 hours per week on average can be assumed, with potentially more during critical times in the contract campaign.  Note that the schedule of bargaining itself is subject to negotiation with the SLU administration’s bargaining team.

Bargaining Committee Election FAQ

What is the bargaining committee?

In order to negotiate a contract between the GWSLUU-UAW graduate workers and Saint Louis University, 5 graduate workers will be elected to bargain on behalf of graduate workers, with support from UAW staff and resources. 

Who is eligible to run for bargaining committee?

All current graduate workers in the bargaining unit who have signed GWSLUU-UAW authorization cards  are automatically eligible to run for the bargaining committee. Please email info@gwsluunion.org to submit your acceptance of nomination and intent to run for a position. All current or former graduate workers who are current SLU graduate students and have signed GWSLUU-UAW authorization cards will be eligible to vote to elect the graduate workers they want to represent them. 

Here is the eligibility criteria for being a bargaining committee member: 

1. Be a current graduate student.
2. Be a current graduate worker.
3. Have signed a GWSLUU-UAW authorization card. You can sign an online card here.

To be a graduate worker, your job must fit this definition:

“All enrolled Graduate Students who also receive a financial stipend above and beyond any tuition remission or housing and who have an appointment as a Graduate Assistant, Graduate Teaching Assistant or Graduate Research Assistant who are required to perform work for the University, as well as all Graduate Students who are appointed as Fellows or Trainees and are required to perform work for the University, and are appointed by the University in the United States.”

Please email info@gwsluunion.org if you have questions about your specific position.

Who is eligible to vote in the bargaining committee election?

Here is the eligibility criteria for voting in the bargaining committee election: 

1. Be a current graduate student.
2. Be a current or past graduate worker.
3. Have signed a GWSLUU-UAW authorization card. You can sign an online card here.

To be a graduate worker, your job must fit the definition above.

Please email info@gwsluunion.org if you have questions about your eligibility to vote.

What do I have to do as part of the bargaining committee? 

• Leading up to bargaining with administration, an average of 5 hours a week is expected of the bargaining committee as they research the needs of graduate workers (ie. surveys, walkthroughs, etc.)
• During bargaining, GWSLUU-UAW bargaining committee members are expected to meet with the administration to write a contract and to get the contract ratified by GWSLUU-UAW graduate workers. An average of 5-10 hours a week can be expected at this time, with potentially more during critical times in the contract campaign. 
• Bargaining committee members must be or become an active member of the GWSLUU-UAW organizing committee which meets once a week for approximately one hour. 

What happens if 5 or fewer people run for the bargaining committee?

In this case, those who ran will be considered uncontested and no election will be required.