We have reached a tentative agreement for our Graduate Students and New York State. I want to thank Executive Vice President Education Division PhD Andrew Dobbyn our Business Agents , our bargaining team for all your hard work and efforts on being a great team to getting this agreement. We will have a town hall on the Contract on Tuesday June 3rd 11 A.M. and Wednesday June 4th 7 P.M.
Overview GSEU Contract
This contract includes significant improvements in both economic and non-economic subjects. It provides specific assistance to International workers, and creates a Best in Industry system of paid parental leave. There are no concessions.
The duration of the contract is unusual, running from July 2023-July 2026. This means that 2 years are retroactive and one year is in the future. New York State insisted on a contract length to match the other SUNY bargaining units. While we wanted a longer contract, we were able to trade the length of contract for victories today. We will build on these victories in the next round of negotiations.
Economic Victories
Raises: A 9% raise for all TAs/GAs in increments of 3% from 2023-2026. Members who worked in the 23-24 and 24-25 academic years will receive retroactive back pay for those years worked. Everyone will receive an additional 3% raise October 2026.
Signing Bonus: All TAs/GAs on full (20 hour) lines will receive $1,500 and those on less than full lines will receive $750.
New Contractual Minimums: Minimum stipends at the University Centers will increase 64% on July 1 2026 and a new minimum has been established for the Colleges, which had no minimum stipend in prior contracts.
Full Pay Parental Leave at No Cost: Parents can take up to 12 weeks of leave at full pay and without any premium costs. The leave may be taken up to 7 months after the birth or adoption of a child, by either parent. Parents who are both GA/TAs may combine to take up to 24 weeks of leave. This is an industry leading standard.
Downstate Bonus: A $1,700 bonus for workers at Stony Brook, Downstate Medical, and SUNY Optometry. This is a new line item of funding.
Fund Monies: Additional fund monies of $1,600 per TA/GA
Professional Development Funding: Greatly expanded funding for Professional Development, ensuring a greater number of applicants will be awarded the full $1,000 award.
Total Economic Package: The total economic package represents an approximate 17% increase from the current baseline for the bargaining unit.
Expected Bonuses in 2026: Given retro pay, signing bonus, and fund monies, members of GSEU should expect to see between $3,000-$7,000 in additional payments beyond their stipend in the 25-26 academic year. The amounts will vary on length of service and location.
Non-Economic Victories
Stronger Grievance and Contract Enforcement: Won unprecedented language committing NY state to resolve all violations of the contract, whether or not they are grievable, and further to resolve issues outside of the contract. Even if a problem is not covered by the contract, we have the expectation that SUNY will work with GSEU to solve the problem.
Academic Freedom: Secured Academic Freedom for Instructors of Record commensurate with full professors in UUP
Improved Health and Safety: Won improvements to Health and Safety including fast tracked procedures to address emergencies and a point person for all safety related issues on each campus.
International TA/GA Victories
Leave and Job Protection for Visa Renewal: International TAs/GAs who must leave during the semester for Visa renewal will now have job protection for up to one semester.
Tax Assistance: GSEU and the State will employ tax experts to provide tax assistance for International TAs and GAs.
Expanded SEVIS Fee Reimbursement: Significantly increases funding for SEVIS fee reimbursement ensuring that everyone who applies will receive full reimbursement.
Town Halls on Contract
Tuesday 11am
Wednesday 7pm
-Andrew Dobbyn, PhD: EVP Education Division
-GSEU Bargaining Committee