Cornell’s “Dual-Track” Proposals
The university’s offer expires on March 25 at noon
On March 11, Cornell made a comprehensive offer to the CGSU-UE that we believe is highly competitive, generous, fair and meets the concerns of most graduate student workers.
Because of the union’s self-imposed April 8 strike authorization deadline, this offer expires on March 25 at 12:00 p.m. (which we refer to as the “Expiring Offer”). If the offer is not accepted by that deadline, a number of the key terms will be replaced with less favorable ones, beginning 12:01 p.m. on March 25 (which we refer to as the “Post 3/25 Offer”).
These “dual-track” offers are presented as an incentive for the parties to reach a prompt agreement and so that CGSU-UE gives serious consideration to the Expiring Offer that is currently on the table. The basics of the Expiring Offer and the Post 3/25 Offer are presented below.
| Expiring Offer Good Until 12:00 p.m. March 25 | Post 3/25 Offer In Effect as of 12:01 p.m. March 25 and thereafter | |
|---|---|---|
| Union Security | Agency shop (union dues and membership or lesser agency fee) or donation option in lieu of dues (1.44% of stipend per semester, which is the same as dues) (Agreed to in Caltech/UAW CBA) | Open shop |
| Discipline and Discharge | Just cause and progressive discipline language for work-related issues | Current Cornell proposal, which includes broader university rights |
| Duration of the Contract | 2 years | 1 year |
| Stipends | $47,367 (+4.7%, Fall ’25) $48,538 (+2.5%, Fall ’26) Includes $544 stipend adjustment to cover dental and vision self-coverage and access to fitness centers. | $46,371 (+2.5%, Fall ’25) |
| Ratification Payment for Current Graduate Student Workers | $750 | $0 |
| Medical Benefits | Platinum SHP insurance PLUS $544 to cover dental and vision self-coverage and access to fitness centers | Platinum SHP insurance |
| Matriculation Payments for Incoming Students | $750 | $0 |
| Vacation Days | 12 | 10 |
| Transportation and Parking | Free TCAT passes + maintain parking privileges | Free TCAT passes + maintain parking privileges |
| International Graduate Student Worker Assistance | 5 work days visa release | 3 work days visa release |
| Childcare and Caregiving | 12 weeks of parental leave + $350,000 fund annually to support student parents to pay for childcare | 6 weeks of parental leave + $350,000 fund annually to support student parents to pay for childcare |