This survey allows Penn graduate workers to give information about our priorities to our bargaining committee, which we will elect from amongst ourselves. Our bargaining committee will use these surveys to prepare a bargaining platform on which we will have the opportunity to vote. After democratic approval of our platform, the bargaining committee can negotiate for the needs of all Penn graduate workers with confidence. All of these are important ways to improve our workplace, but we can't win everything immediately. When selecting priority, consider which changes you think are most urgent – and what you're willing to fight for!

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* 1. Name (First, Last)

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* 2. Mobile Phone

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* 3. Email (non-Penn)

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* 4. School

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* 5. Department

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* 6. Office/Lab Location

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* 7. Degree

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* 8. Year Started

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* 9. Current Job Title (Spring 2024)

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* 10. I will help organize my coworkers to fight for our first union contract

WORKING CONDITIONS, RIGHTS, AND PROTECTIONS

Please rate the importance of including each right/protection in a contract for all Penn graduate student workers. Select one per row; low is least important, high is most important.

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* 11. Academic Freedom: Right to free academic inquiry and speech without fear of retaliation

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* 12. Anti-Bullying: Increase protections, such as third party arbitration and assistance with changing labs/advisors in cases of bullying, discrimination, and abuse

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* 13. Appointment Security: Protect against unjust termination or last-minute modification/withdrawal of funding/appointments

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* 14. Child Care: Increase access to affordable child care and/or subsidies for all parenting graduate workers

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* 15. Disability Access: Increase disability access and services, including funds for mandatory paperwork

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* 16. Diversity in Academia: Increase and protect diversity in graduate programs, including by race, caste, gender, and class

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* 17. Grievance Procedure: Establish a procedure for protections against contract violations including third party arbitration

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* 18. Health and Safety: Ensure a healthy work environment by improving safety oversight and enforcement

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* 19. Intellectual Property: Establish clear IP rights that give inventors and authors a fair share of ownership

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* 20. International Student Support: Expand university resources for supporting international students, such as tax support, relocation funds, and sanctuary from ICE/CBP

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* 21. Job Expectations and Training: Require clear, consistent job descriptions (e.g. duties, evaluation criteria, pay classification) and adequate training. Require posting of open hire positions

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* 22. Non-Discrimination: Strengthen protections against all forms of discrimination, including sexual harassment. Improve inclusivity, e.g., access to gender-neutral bathrooms

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* 23. Paid Time Off/Leave: Ensure minimum vacation time, holidays, and leave for family, medical, or other reasons

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* 24. Penn Pays Back: Demand robust university financial contributions to Philadelphia and local community organizations

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* 25. Space and Equipment: Ensure adequate, well-maintained space and materials necessary for assigned duties

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* 26. Transportation: Increase affordable transit access

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* 27. Visa Support and International Student Aid: Guarantee paid time off and funding for visa-related travel and expenses

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* 28. Workload: Establish the right to a consistent and reasonable number of hours and workload, including guaranteed minimum hours for hourly workers

WAGES AND BENEFITS

In order to facilitate the bargaining process effectively, it is important that we decide not only which of the following economic items should be our bargaining goals, but also which of them should be our highest priorities. In each section, please assign each item a priority: low is least important, high is most important. Provide any comments, concerns, or examples in the comment box at the end of each section.

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* 29. TUITION AND FEE COVERAGE

  Low Medium High
Waive all tuition and fees for all graduate workers
Waive health insurance costs for all graduate workers
Tuition, fee, and insurance benefits for hourly workers

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* 30. WAGES AND EMPLOYMENT

  Low Medium High
Raise base pay
Annual pay increases
Guaranteed summer funding
Timely payment of wages and stipends
Extend appointment length (e.g., sixth year funding)

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* 31. HEALTH BENEFITS

  Low Medium High
Improved, paid dental insurance
Improved, paid vision insurance
Expand dependent coverage
Lower out-of-pocket costs
Allow direct access to off-campus practitioners
Improve referral system
Improve Penn student health services on campus

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* 32. HOUSING

  Low Medium High
Provide accessible on-campus graduate housing
Improve resources for securing local affordable housing
Ensure pay increases keep pace with rent increases

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* 33. OTHER BENEFITS

  Low Medium High
Guarantee access to benefits and visas while on leave
Increase value of transit subsidies
Provide access to free tax assistance
Establish retirement benefits

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* 34. Are there any other issues/concerns that were not mentioned in the survey? Please use the space below for your additional comments and thoughts

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