Mount Sinai Postdocs in Second Week of Strike

Postdoctoral researchers at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, members of SPOC-UAW, are currently on an unfair labor practice strike in the process of reaching a fair contract. These members work full-time in areas like seeking cures for cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and other research integral to solving significant public health issues. Postdocs have been bargaining with Mount Sinai for 14 months for a first contract. Despite their crucial role in producing world-class research, many workers struggle with housing, childcare costs, and the lack of paid parental leave. Addressing these demands is also critical for improving diversity and equity in science—nearly half of U.S. women leave full-time science after their first child.

The campaign for a union and a fair contract for Postdocs at Mount Sinai is a fight for their profession, to allow workers regardless of background and personal circumstance to continue to perform research. As UAW President Shawn Fain said, “You produce scientific breakthroughs, so you deserve record gains. Groundbreaking research should mean groundbreaking contracts.”

If you are able to help support striking UAW postdocs, please click here to contribute to their hardship fund. Here are some other ways we can support these striking workers:

• Share the hardship fund: Share the link to SPOC-UAW's hardship fund directly with friends, family, and coworkers: https://givebutter.com/B6qY1P. The fund will be used to provide support for the picket line and postdocs who face financial emergencies due to loss of pay.
• Come out to the picket line in NYC: Picketing runs from 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday at or around E 99th and Madison Ave.
• Amplify SPOC on social media: Like and share SPOC’s posts using the hashtag #SinaiOnStrike: twitter.com/spocuaw (Facebook, Instagram).