CGPU-UAW Bargaining Update

To: The Campus Community
From:  Kaushik Bhattacharya, Vice Provost for Research; David Chan, Dean of Graduate Studies

Over the course of the last six months, representatives from the Institute and the Caltech Grad Researchers and Postdocs United (CGPU-UAW), the union representing graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, have held 19 bargaining sessions to set the terms and conditions for the union's first labor contract. These meetings have been professional, cooperative, and highly productive, with the parties reaching tentative agreements on 27 topics, including industry-leading articles addressing free speech and expression; protections from discrimination, harassment, and abuse; and bonding and parental leave.

Still under discussion are economic proposals related to compensation, healthcare, and benefits for parents and international scholars. Each of these topics is significant to Caltech and, of course, to the graduate students and postdoctoral scholars represented by the union. Caltech is committed to discussing and bargaining in good faith with CGPU-UAW on all appropriate issues. It is a priority of the Institute to reach a fair first collective bargaining agreement with graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, one that reflects the Institute's values and mission.

We are writing both to provide these updates and let you know that the CGPU-UAW intends to hold a rally today, November 19, at 5 p.m. outside Parsons-Gates to bring attention to their requests for the economic proposals. We respect the union's rights to mobilize members and to exercise their rights to free speech and expression.

At the same time, it is important for the Institute to articulate clearly its continued commitment to graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. Caltech provides a comprehensive package of benefits that is competitive with the best higher education institutions in the country. A review of the financial support and benefits currently provided to graduate students and postdoctoral scholars demonstrates this commitment:

• Caltech's total commitment to graduate students is competitive with peers across the nation and is the industry leader in our local region. Caltech's minimum annual stipend, which is currently $46,500, is higher than the union-negotiated stipends agreed to at USC ($40,000) and UCLA ($34,565). Historically, Caltech's annual stipends have been voluntarily set by the administration in response to the Institute's understanding of the local economic environment, student economic needs (as self-reported in student surveys), and after extensive discussion and collaboration with representatives from the Graduate Student Council. In addition to the stipend and other benefits, the Institute's support of graduate students also extends to and includes the cost of their degree program, with a tuition fee scholarship valued at $65,706 for the 2024-25 academic year. 
• Caltech postdoctoral scholars currently receive a minimum annual salary of $70,264, which is similarly competitive with peers both across the nation and in the local region. Both USC and UCLA, for example, have a minimum annual salary of $66,737 for the current academic year; the National Institutes of Health's minimum salary is $61,008. Historically, Caltech's minimum salary for postdoctoral scholars also has been voluntarily set by the administration based on the Institute's understanding of the economic environment and informed by cooperative discussion with representatives from the Caltech Postdoctoral Association.

With these facts in mind, Caltech will continue discussions in good faith with the CGPU-UAW on the remaining articles. 

We will keep you apprised of our discussions with CGPU-UAW and of the progress we make. In the meantime, please refer to the frequently asked questions section of our unionization website for additional information on the collective bargaining process. Questions also may be directed to [email protected].