Dear Colleagues,

As Dean Galea indicated in his note to the community, the Boston University Graduate Workers Union (BUGWU) has authorized a strike of all students who are part of this bargaining unit (this may involve students engaged in research, TA activities, etc.)

The School respects our students’ right to strike even as we recognize our concurrent responsibility as a public employer to align compensation with work effort provided to the institution, consistent with the award of federal grant funds and the allocation of state funds committed to SPH and the University as a public trust.

Understanding these implications, we have, working with department chairs, directors of administration, and Associate Deans put in place plans to ensure that our teaching and research continue with minimal interruptions.  We have provided guidance to all supervisors and administrators to ensure that our preparedness and response measures are effectively communicated and implemented.

We note that the University intends to withhold pay from any graduate student workers who are on strike for the duration of the strike period. I will communicate with administrators in our academic and central administration departments to provide additional details on the mechanics involved as well as provide resources in support of our staff, faculty, and students.

The University has launched a dedicated website to offer guidance on navigating the potential strike, including a FAQ section addressing interactions with union members, resources available to our students as well as payroll handling and other concerns. This platform will serve as a central hub for updates and support throughout the negotiation process.

Thank you in advance for your work to ensure the integrity of our educational and research programs during a challenging time, and for your shared commitment to our mission.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can help in any way always, particularly during this moment.

Ira Lazic, MPA

Associate Dean for Administration and Finance

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