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GOLD-UE Bargaining Update

Posted on April 10, 2024 by Daniel Veres

Dear Guarini community,  

I write to provide an update on our April 4 bargaining session with GOLD-UE. 

Timeline

Negotiations began in August 2023, and GOLD-UE submitted their initial economic proposals in January 2024. Typically, a first contract takes 12-18 months of bargaining with both parties seeking compromise and moving forward in good faith. GOLD-UE has stated that they have a mandate from their members to resolve negotiations by the end of Spring 2024. 

Dartmouth is working to help GOLD-UE meet their deadline. To resolve negotiations by June, bargaining will need to move forward at a faster than average pace. At our most recent session, GOLD-UE submitted proposals that potentially slow forward momentum, making it difficult to reach an agreement as early as the end of spring term.  Regardless, we remain hopeful that we can reach a mutually beneficial agreement soon. 

Recent Proposals 

  • International student support. GOLD-UE initially proposed Dartmouth cover immigration-related fees for international students.  At a previous session, GOLD-UE accepted Dartmouth's proposal in which Dartmouth would provide each international student $1200, on arrival, to assist with fees and other costs associated with their international status. On April 4, GOLD-UE accepted that proposal and then proposed Dartmouth create an additional annual $150,000 fund for international students. This issue, which had appeared resolved, will require additional negotiation.
  • No strike/no lockout. In previous bargaining sessions, Dartmouth proposed  a no strike/no lockout clause that would take effect once the parties' contract is in place. No strike/no lockout clauses are common in collective bargaining agreements, including in those Dartmouth has with other bargaining units. On April 4, GOLD-UE presented a counter to Dartmouth's proposed no strike/no lockout clause that would allow their members to strike in all but a limited number of circumstances, while Dartmouth would not be allowed to lock out striking GOLD-UE members. As GOLD-UE's proposal did not make a meaningful move in Dartmouth's direction, this topic will also continue to be under discussion.  

Compensation - Stipend

GOLD-UE initially asked for the current stipend to increase from $40,000 to $55,000. At the March 29 session, Dartmouth offered to raise the annual minimum stipend amount by 15% to $46,000 in the first year of the contract and to guarantee annual increases of 3% through year four when the stipend would reach $50,265. 

At the April 4 session, GOLD-UE rejected Dartmouth's offer and countered with a minimum stipend in year one of $53,000, which is a 3.6% decrease from GOLD-UE's initial proposal of $55,000, but remains above stipend levels of our peer institutions with union contracts for graduate-student workers. This proposal also includes an annual cost of living adjustment plus an additional $1,000.   

Dartmouth's proposed 15% increase moves its stipend amount to within the range of other Ivy and Ivy+ institutions that have graduate-student unions, and Dartmouth's proposed fixed 3% annual increases would enable budgetary predictability (for both students and faculty) while exceeding historical inflation rates.

Moving Forward

Dartmouth remains committed to working with GOLD-UE in the spirit of compromise and with the goal of helping GOLD-UE reach a mutually beneficial agreement by its proposed deadline. Dartmouth appreciates the efforts of the GOLD-UE bargaining committee. 

Our next bargaining session is scheduled for April 11. I will provide additional updates following that meeting. An overview and FAQs about the graduate union organization at Dartmouth are available on the provost's website. 

Sincerely,
David Kotz
Provost