UAW Postdocs Hold Informational Picketing at Mt. Sinai

UAW Postdoctoral Researchers at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine held an informational picket action on Thursday. After voting overwhelmingly to unionize in June 2022, Postdocs have been at the bargaining table with Sinai for nearly a year. Since then, administrators have stalled on both economic and non-economic demands, rejected basic rights other unionized postdocs already have and attempted to intimidate international workers with the possibility of negative consequences to their visa status for engaging in a lawful strike. The union has filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge over Sinai’s actions.

Last month the union held a Strike Authorization Vote to allow the bargaining committee to call a strike should circumstances justify. The vote passed with 91% in favor.  

“Enough is enough,” said Jessica Wang, a postdoctoral scholar at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and a supporter of SPOC-UAW. “After a year of sitting at the table with administrators, we are demanding to see a meaningful economic proposal. We want progress on housing, on protections against unfair terminations and harassment, on support for parents and international workers. We are ready and willing to strike if we do not see meaningful progress.”