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>We all know how Republicans feel about federal workers.
It was a democrat that busted the rail strikes. Both parties despise unions, one is just more vocal about it.
Thousands of early-career NIH researchers forming union for first time
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Re: Thousands of early-career NIH researchers forming union for first time
#12Earlier quoted context omitted.
Or you know, instead of crying about change like you are. Existing employees finally cracked. The STM part of STEM has been seriously underpaid and meager living for years. All of that is coming home to roost with inflation and cost of living spiraling out of control.
Underpayment would lead to less inflation if anything.
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Re: Thousands of early-career NIH researchers forming union for first time
#13NIH should build more institutes in cheaper areas (eg not NoVa). It’s a win win since it will help revitalize poorer areas of America and save on costs.
It will also tilt more senators/congresspeople to vote for NIH funding, similar to military base funding
Re: Thousands of early-career NIH researchers forming union for first time
#14What is there possibly for a bunch of employees who have lived with status quo for so many years all of a sudden want to change? It is typically new employees who come in (from elsewhere?) that feel like changing everything around them. And then either they get those changes, or get comfortable with the things that exist, or leave. Edit: Reasons for unions historically have been better working conditions and better w…
Or you know, instead of crying about change like you are. Existing employees finally cracked. The STM part of STEM has been seriously underpaid and meager living for years. All of that is coming home to roost with inflation and cost of living spiraling out of control.
"The STM part of STEM has been seriously underpaid and meager living for years."
Based on what?
Re: Thousands of early-career NIH researchers forming union for first time
#15Earlier quoted context omitted.
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"All Government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service." - Franklin Roosevelt https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/letter-the-resolut...
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Re: Thousands of early-career NIH researchers forming union for first time
#16It's not going to work. The NIH has no equivalent private sector competitor. For every single researcher, there are 10 other graduates and staff who would be willing to do their job for a fraction of the cost. This is a supply and demand problem, a funding problem. Strip congress and the medical board of their ability to control the number of residency spots and you will see the free market correct itself. Most biology people's first career choice is medicine, not working in research.
The only protection they have is the fact that it is hard to get fired from a government job.
Re: Thousands of early-career NIH researchers forming union for first time
#17Earlier quoted context omitted.
Or you know, instead of crying about change like you are. Existing employees finally cracked. The STM part of STEM has been seriously underpaid and meager living for years. All of that is coming home to roost with inflation and cost of living spiraling out of control.
Underpayment would lead to less inflation if anything.
[citation needed]
Inflation might not be driven by wages but by company profits: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/feb/24/an-economic...
Re: Thousands of early-career NIH researchers forming union for first time
#18[deleted]
Re: Thousands of early-career NIH researchers forming union for first time
#19It's not going to work. The NIH has no equivalent private sector competitor. For every single researcher, there are 10 other graduates and staff who would be willing to do their job for a fraction of the cost. This is a supply and demand problem, a funding problem. Strip congress and the medical board of their ability to control the number of residency spots and you will see the free market correct itself. Most biolo…
From the article, they may not be staff. Many research agencies have "fellow" or "associate" positions that aren't full time staff. Similar to a contractor but used for postdoc, graduate students, etc. Sometimes on the path to FTE status, but not always. Could also be non-citizens on a visa for their term.
Pay (think stipend, not salary) for these positions are more than what a grad student would get from their university, but not much more. At least from what I've seen (don't know details of NIH). For postdocs/grads/etc without families this can work, but cost of living in the DC area is high.
Re: Thousands of early-career NIH researchers forming union for first time
#20It's not going to work. The NIH has no equivalent private sector competitor. For every single researcher, there are 10 other graduates and staff who would be willing to do their job for a fraction of the cost. This is a supply and demand problem, a funding problem. Strip congress and the medical board of their ability to control the number of residency spots and you will see the free market correct itself. Most biolo…
Sounds like the sweet spot for a union. Having bargain power would be a quantum leap for all those workers. As a european, where unions are commonplace and a main driving force behind minimum wages, I find it odd for any worker not to join a union if there is the chance.