The PSC has ratified an agreement with the CUNY Research Foundation on a new contract for workers at the RF field units!
After countless hours of bargaining and organizing, and an overwhelming 99% YES ratification vote, we have reached a agreement for a new contract for covered RF employees at the CUNY Graduate Center, LaGuardia Community College, New York City Tech, and the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies! The new contract will include 13.4% across-the-board raises over four years, expanded access to tuition reimbursement payments to more part-time workers, and a signing bonus, among other important wins. You can read a summary of key gains in the MOA below, or you can read the full agreement here:
Key gains in the proposed MoA
- Wage increases over four years:
- October 1, 2024: 2% or $0.70/hour*
- January 1, 2025: 1%
- October 1, 2025: 3.25% or $0.70/hour*
- October 1, 2026: 3.25% or $0.70/hour*
- October 1, 2027: 3.25% or $0.70/hour*
- *$0.70/hour applies to employees who earn less than $20/hour
- Retroactive raises: Wage increases shall be retroactive to October 1, 2024 to all covered employees on an active appointment between May 19 and June 1, 2025, and shall be paid within 30 days of ratification.
- One-time lump sum payments: All covered employees on an active appointment between May 19 and June 1, 2025, will receive a lump sum payment of between $500 and $2000, depending on full-time/part-time status and years of service.
- Expanded tuition reimbursement & faster processing of reimbursements: For the first time, tuition reimbursement for part-time B employees (4-19 hours/week) who have been employed with the RF for two consecutive years and who work at least 12 hours/week. Also, a new requirement that tuition reimbursements shall be processed within 30 days of an employee submitting the required forms.
- Reduced service time requirement for health insurance eligibility: Reduced service time requirement from four months to 90 calendar days of employment for full-time and part-time A employees to be eligible to enroll in health and dental insurance.
- Use of sick leave for care of a family member: Increase from 40 to 56 hours the amount of leave that can be used for care of a family member.
- More paid holidays: Include Juneteenth as a scheduled paid holiday.
- Annual Leave: Eliminate the 3-month service requirement, so employees can more easily use their annual leave days.
- Reappointments: New contractual language that employees and principal investigators shall receive notices from RF of the pending expiration of the employees’ appointment within 60 days and 30 days of that expiration, in order to facilitate timely communication from PIs about reappointments.
- Dignity and respect: New contractual language stating that all employees are entitled to be treated with dignity and respect, free of verbal and nonverbal abuse, intimidating body language, retaliation, or hostility.
- Union orientations: Contractual language to ensure new employees receive information about the union protections during new hire orientations.
