GOLD-UE Bargaining Update

To the Guarini community,

I write to provide an update on negotiations between Dartmouth and GOLD-UE.

Since my last update, Dartmouth's and GOLD-UE's bargaining teams have met on Oct. 26 and Nov. 9. The parties have continued exchanging counterproposals and participating in important discussions about the parties' questions and concerns that have informed their proposals. At the most recent meeting, on Nov. 9, GOLD-UE presented a counterproposal about international students' rights, sharing instances where its members feel Dartmouth's processes and support for international graduate students could be improved. Dartmouth presented counterproposals on three provisions on which the parties are approaching agreement: professional rights and workspace conditions, union rights, and inclusive work environment. 

In addition, Dartmouth presented information about its Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct Policy and Procedures (Title IX/SMP) and its Policy on Patent, Copyright, and Other Intellectual Property Rights. Dartmouth Title IX Coordinator Kristi Clemons spoke about Dartmouth's Title IX process, including the myriad supportive measures available to participants in the process under existing policy. She also answered GOLD-UE's questions about the process and these measures, as the SMP applies to all faculty, staff, and students of Dartmouth. GOLD-UE  previously identified concerns with issues that are already covered by the SMP and its protections, and Dartmouth shared information to clarify how the existing SMP protections already address these concerns.

Dartmouth remains committed to working with GOLD-UE to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. Initial bargaining agreements often take longer than a year to negotiate, including initial graduate student bargaining agreements.  We also remain committed to giving GOLD-UE's proposals and concerns thoughtful and thorough consideration during the collective bargaining process. Initial bargaining agreements often take longer than a year to negotiate.

Our next bargaining session is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 16. I will provide an additional update following that meeting. An overview and FAQs about graduate union organization at Dartmouth are available on the provost's website.

Sincerely,

David Kotz
Provost