Topics at WPI: Current Issues

The graduate student workers explain that “[w]ith a union, we hope to bargain with the WPI administration to negotiate for raises. . .”

Wages and stipends are forms of compensation that may be discussed at the bargaining table if the WPI graduate students vote to unionize.

At WPI, there has been a 2-3% annual increase in TA stipends, totaling an increase of more than $7,000 over the last ten years. (Due to the pandemic, in 2020 the university froze operating budgets, and there were no increases for faculty, staff, or graduate students.) In June 2022, a message was sent to graduate students about a 2% stipend increase for 2022-23.

There is no way of knowing now whether or how current wages stipends might change as a result of collective bargaining. Bargaining does not necessarily begin with the status quo and go up. Graduate student workers may end up with more than what they currently have in some areas of wages, benefits and working conditions, the same as what they currently have, or less than what they currently have.

Please note, usually, all wages and benefits, as well as other terms and conditions of employment remain the same during the collective bargaining period. 

The graduate student workers explain that “[w]ith a union, we can bargain for a grievance procedure to help protect us from harassment, discrimination, and bullying. A fair grievance procedure would put these cases in front of a neutral arbitrator, paid for by both the union and university, to put us on equal footing with the administration.”

Employee discipline and grievance procedures are issues that may be discussed at the bargaining table if the WPI graduate students vote to unionize.  However, many of WPI’s obligations to prevent and remedy harassment and discrimination are derived from federal and state laws, such as Title IX, Title VII, and Chapter 151B.  WPI’s obligations under these laws, such as providing prompt and equitable resolution processes, are illegal subjects of bargaining.

WPI’s Notice of Non-Discrimination, as well as notably its Title IX & Sexual Misconduct Policy and its Office of Accessibility Services Policies and Procedures, are available online and apply to all WPI community members, including graduate student workers.  WPI also welcomes all graduate students to avail themselves of the resources available from the WPI Ombuds Office, the WPI Title IX Office, the Office of Accessibility Services, the Bias Response Team, and the Division of Talent & Inclusion.

The graduate student workers explain that “[w]ith a union, we hope to bargain for improvements to our healthcare plan, while securing quality dental and vision coverage . . .”

In a June 22, 2022 message to graduate students, WPI announced a subsidy to fully cover their health insurance. In a separate message from the Dean of Students Office on June 15, 2022, all WPI students were notified of the 2022-2023 student health insurance plan details as well as the option for students to enroll in vision and/or dental coverage for an additional cost.   

Massachusetts law requires that all full-time and part-time students enrolled in an institution of higher education participate in a student health program or in a health benefit plan with comparable coverage. Graduate students may waive the WPI health insurance plan if they have other coverage (for example, under a parent’s or spouse’s plan).

WPI’s separate health and wellness fee, which provides access to on-campus Student Health Services, is optional for graduate students. 

Healthcare benefits, including medical insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance, are benefits that may be discussed at the bargaining table if the WPI graduate students vote to unionize.  There is no way of knowing now whether or how current healthcare benefits might change as a result of collective bargaining. Bargaining does not necessarily begin with the status quo and go up. Graduate student workers may end up with more than what they currently have in some areas of wages, benefits and working conditions, the same as what they currently have, or less than what they currently have.

Please note, usually, all wages and benefits, as well as other terms and conditions of employment remain the same during the collective bargaining period. 

See the FAQs for specific information regarding these topics.