GOLD-UE Bargaining Update

To the Guarini community,

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

The Dartmouth and GOLD-UE bargaining teams met Thursday, Dec. 14. At this meeting, the parties discussed assignment notices, workload, and Dartmouth's counterproposal on nondiscrimination. GOLD-UE responded to Dartmouth's proposals at the meeting and all are moving closer to agreement. Both the assignment notice and workload proposals are focused on identifying the duties and schedules of RAs and TAs. While the parties have reached agreement on much of the language in this proposal, a remaining point of disagreement is GOLD-UE's demand that Dartmouth acknowledge most duties should occur during the work hours of 9 am to 5 pm. Dartmouth continues to hold to its position that it will not agree to this range as it is not a true reflection of the work RAs and TAs perform.

In response to the productive discussion the parties had on Nov. 27, Dartmouth presented a counterproposal regarding nondiscrimination. In this counterproposal, Dartmouth presented language that protects Dartmouth's existing policies and procedures for addressing complaints of nondiscrimination and its ability to comply with applicable laws. It also offered additional safeguards for GOLD-UE members. The discussion about this counterproposal is ongoing.

Dartmouth remains committed to working with GOLD-UE to reach a mutually beneficial agreement and is appreciative of the efforts of the GOLD-UE bargaining committee. 

Our next bargaining session is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 4. I will provide additional updates following that meeting. An overview and FAQs about graduate union organization at Dartmouth are available on the provost's website.

Sincerely,
David Kotz
Provost