Nominations are hereby declared open for the SVA Faculty United-UAW (SVA/FAC-UAW) Bargaining Committee (nine [9] positions): All eligible Union supporters [all SVA faculty who have filled out a SVA/FAC-UAW authorization card] are automatically nominated for the Bargaining Committee and eligible to accept nomination.

If you haven’t yet filled out an SVA/FAC-UAW authorization card, you may do so now here: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sva-faculty-united-uaw-authorization-card/

The bargaining committee will be composed of nine (9) positions. Please see the full notice below and don’t hesitate to reach out with further questions.

NOTICE OF NOMINATION AND ELECTION FOR THE UNION BARGAINING COMMITTEE (9 POSITIONS)

Nominations are hereby declared open for the SVA/FAC-UAW Bargaining Committee (9 positions):

All eligible unit members who have signed a union authorization card are automatically nominated for the Bargaining Committee.

The Bargaining Committee will have nine (9) positions.

Any eligible Union authorization card signatory who wishes to accept the nomination for one of the written nine (9) Bargaining Committee positions listed above must indicate their intention in writing by responding to this email.

The acceptance of nomination for the specified position above must be received no later than 6:00 pm ET on Thursday, June 26, 2025: by email to SVA/FAC-UAW: svafacultyunited.uaw@gmail.com, or by hand delivery to 350 W 31st Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10016.

Details about the responsibilities of Bargaining Committee members can be found below.

Candidate Statements

Each candidate may write and submit a candidate statement of no more than 250 words. These statements will be posted on the SVA/FAC-UAW website if the number of candidates exceeds the 9 available positions and an election becomes necessary. Phone number and email address must be included to help contact candidates upon the nominations period closing, but will not be counted toward the 250 words, and will not be publicly posted.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to submit the candidate statement. All candidate statements must be received by the time nominations close at 6:00 pm ET on Thursday, June 26, 2025. See some example candidate statements from the Mt. Sinai Postdoc Bargaining Committee. 

Election Dates, Times, and Locations

In the event that the number of eligible candidates who accept nomination for the specified position do not exceed the number of open positions (9 positions), such candidates will be deemed elected by acclamation and no election will be held. 

If more than nine (9) eligible candidates accept nomination, an election will be conducted with the nine (9) candidates who receive the highest number of votes being elected. All eligible Union supporters [all faculty who have filled out and signed an SVA/FAC-UAW authorization card] are eligible to vote. 

The election will take place electronically starting 9am Monday, June 30, 2025, through 9pm Saturday, July 5, 2025. 

Members of the bargaining unit who have not done so may fill out an authorization card prior to voting.

In solidarity,

—-
Bargaining Committee Responsibilities 

The primary responsibility of the Bargaining Committee is to negotiate an initial collective bargaining agreement with the SVA administration’s team. Election to the committee obligates each member to represent and fight for the best possible contract for all members of the bargaining unit.

The committee will be trained and assisted by experienced negotiators from the Union who will also participate in the negotiations with SVA. See below for specific responsibilities.

• Develop initial bargaining goals for ratification by union supporters across campus, using surveys, other relevant contracts, membership feedback from other sources, etc.
• After ratification of initial bargaining goals, develop contract language proposals with the assistance and guidance of UAW representatives 
• Attend negotiation sessions 
• Assess, analyze, and respond to the University’s bargaining proposals and develop union counter proposals.
• Keep the membership and allies informed and educated about the negotiations and the process.
• Make  recommendations to the membership on whether to approve a contract or take other actions (e.g., a vote to authorize the committee to call for strike action, if necessary).

Committee members should assume that the time commitment will be significant. Note that the schedule of bargaining itself is subject to negotiation with the SVA  administration’s bargaining team.