By CaraLynn Caulfield
The Graduate Student Employees Union (GSEU), which represents more than 4,500 teaching and graduate assistants across State University of New York (SUNY) campuses, ratified a new three-year labor agreement. The announcement was made on June 11.
The contract, reached between the state and the Communications Workers of America/Graduate Student Employees Union Local 1104, includes a series of compensation enhancements. Graduate student workers will receive 3% annual salary increases and a raise in the minimum stipend. In the final year of the agreement, members will also receive a lump-sum bonus of $1,500 for full assistantships and $750 for partial assistantships. The contract also boosts contributions to labor-management funds each year through July 1, 2026.
“This labor agreement with the Communications Workers of America and the Graduate Student Employees Union reflects our commitment to affordability and higher education,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “I appreciate the partnership of the union leadership throughout negotiations and thank its membership for their commitment to furthering the educational experience at our SUNY campuses across New York State.”
The GSEU represents graduate and teaching assistants who support SUNY faculty and staff in instruction, research, and academic operations while simultaneously pursuing advanced degrees. The union ratified the agreement with overwhelming support from voting members.
Andrew Dobbyn, Executive Vice President for Education of CWA Local 1104, said the ratified contract is a meaningful step forward for those graduate workers.
“This contract will improve the lives of thousands of Graduate Assistants, both economically and non-economically, who provide the vital instruction and research that makes SUNY run,” Dobbyn said in a statement.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. also welcomed the ratification, highlighting the essential contributions of graduate student workers across the university system.
“SUNY’s graduate student employees serve our campuses through teaching, research, and so much more as they earn their degrees,” King said. “This contract is a well-deserved and responsible reflection of the important role graduate student employees play.”