2024 CGPU Bargaining Survey

Caltech grads and postdocs have unionized and are now preparing to collectively bargain for better working conditions! This democratic process relies on the input of everyone. Please share your feedback on these important issues. Together we will win a better Caltech!

* Please provide your contact and demographic information. These are kept separate from your survey responses.

Name

First NameLast Name

Divison

Position

Email

example@example.com

Phone number

Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

Office Location

Rent-Burden Calculator: Please provide the following information. You are considered rent-burdened if more than 30% of your monthly income goes to rent

Monthly salary

Monthly rent

Residential zip code

I am / use / have:

Fellowship

Please rank the following using this scale: 1. Not a priority, 2. Protect what I have, 3. Improve - somewhat important, 4. Improve - important, 5. Improve - top priority

Wages, Compensation, & Benefits

Rows	Not a priority	Protect what I have	Improve - somewhat important	Improve - important	Improve - top priority
Increase salary & other compensation (For example: across-the-board wage increase, raising minimum salary levels, cost of living adjustments)
Provide access to retirement benefits for grads / remove 2-year limit for matching retirement contributions for postdocs
Guarantee sick days are available & can be used for mental health

Healthcare

Rows	Not a priority	Protect what I have	Improve - somewhat important	Improve - important	Improve - top priority
Cover the cost of healthcare premiums & reduce out of pocket costs for medical, dental, and vision services
Expand coverage and accessibility of medical, dental, and vision services (For example: expanded network, improvements to obtaining prior authorizations, mental health care, gender affirming care, reproductive health, prescription drugs, help with using the plan)
Provide paid medical leave with a fair process to take and return from leave

Support for Parents and Families

Rows	Not a priority	Protect what I have	Improve - somewhat important	Improve - important	Improve - top priority
Reduce the cost of dependent healthcare (including premiums, reimbursement, etc)
Improve access to childcare through a support fund or lowered costs
Expand paid leave relating to families/dependents (For example: parental, bereavement, sick leave)

Housing

Rows	Not a priority	Protect what I have	Improve - somewhat important	Improve - important	Improve - top priority
Establish subsidies for those who are rent-burdened (>30% of income paid to rent)
Subsidize cost of moving and provide meaningful relocation assistance if needed

Justice in the Workplace

Rows	Not a priority	Protect what I have	Improve - somewhat important	Improve - important	Improve - top priority
Strengthen policies against bullying, discrimination, and harassment with interim measures that guarantee transitional funding and other resources
Improve ease and timeliness of securing accommodations for a disability & funding for access needs
Establish guaranteed timelines and neutral third-party mediation for grievances of all types or any kind of contract violation

Workplace Rights & Protections

Rows	Not a priority	Protect what I have	Improve - somewhat important	Improve - important	Improve - top priority
Expand intellectual property rights & increase % of royalties derived from licensing that go to inventors
Guarantee timely reimbursement of travel costs (including travel visas) for conferences
Guarantee health & safety in the workplace including in the field / off-campus & timely handling of related incidents
Create recourse for workload problems (For example: pressured to work unreasonable hours)
Provide necessary materials, training & support for teaching assistants

International & Noncitizen Researchers

Rows	Not a priority	Protect what I have	Improve - somewhat important	Improve - important	Improve - top priority
Provide reimbursement for visa, visa (F-1, J-1) renewal, visa transitions (J-1 to H-1B) & appointment-related costs (transport, lodging)
Guarantee leave for visa renewal and proceedings
Guarantee enough vacation days to travel & visit family abroad
Establish a fund for legal support in facing immigration-related issues

What other ideas do you have for improving our working conditions at Caltech?

I’d like to help! To win a great contract, I will...

If you have additional questions or would like to chat more about the bargaining process, please contact us at organize@cgpu.org

2024 Grad and Postdoc Bargaining Survey