About Our Union
Our Contract
On November 22, 2024, SGWU members ratified their first contract with Stanford. Additionally, Stanford sent the SGWU three letters to address concerns raised in the contract bargaining process. Together, these four documents are
- Our contract with Stanford which is available as a typeset PDF and as the original scanned PDF.
- A letter on the 5 year, 12 month funding commitment from Provost Martinez which describes the process for the union to help PhD students ensure they are properly funded.
- A letter on R&DE rent from Provost Martinez which provides guarantees on how much Stanford will raise on-campus rents during the term of the contract.
- A letter on the Weiland Clinic at Vaden from Dr. Jacobs, Director of Vaden Health Services which indicates that there is dedicated funding for the Weiland Clinic.
If you are aware of a violation of the contract or Stanford’s letters, please reach out to SGWU’s Campus Chief Steward chief-steward@sgwu.us or one of your Area Chief Stewards. The most common violations include
- Graduate workers pay being late or delayed.
- Graduate workers experiencing discrimination, harassment, or abusive conduct.
- PhD students and candidates being denied funding.
- Graduate workers being overworked. Teaching and required research responsibilities for an assistantship cannot average more than 20 hours a week across the quarter.
- Graduate workers having to work in unsafe labs or to be in unsafe field work conditions.
- Stanford cancelling an appointment after informing you that you were hired.
- Graduate workers being unreasonably denied time off.
- Graduate workers facing discipline or discharge for no reason or disproportionate to the reason.
- Bechtel International Center not providing needed documentation in a timely manner.
- Graduate workers’ reimbursements being delayed.
- Graduate workers’ being required to front money for supplies or travel.
- Graduate workers being denied a flat-per-day cash while traveling.
If you, a coworker, or a friend experience any of these, or other, violations of our contract, please reach out to discuss what options are available to you to have the issue resolved.
In addition, graduate workers have explicit rights protected by the contract. The most commonly used rights are to
- reasonable access to gender-neutral bathrooms close to your workspace;
- disability accomodations;
- religious accomodations;
- necessary materials, including PPE;
- necessary training;
- refuse to work in unsafe conditions;
- understanding why an EGIA request is denied;
- lactation spaces;
- paid leave if you or your partner give birth to or adopt a child;
- knowing where your funding is coming from; and
- viewing records associated with your employment.
If you, a coworker, or a friend are denied any of these or want help in asserting these rights, please reach out to discuss what options are available to you to have your rights protected.