NUGW-UE Bargaining Survey
This survey will help the local union set priorities for our 2nd contract negotiations with the university administration. Your response will contribute to identifying issues to improve our collective working conditions at Northwestern. The Bargaining and Grievance Committee (BGC) strongly encourages you to discuss the content of this survey with your colleagues so we can collectively come together to maintain our current protections and secure meaningful wins at the bargaining table. 

If you have any questions about the survey, please contact the NUGW-UE Recording and Data Secretary at recording.secretary@nugradworkers.org.

Survey responses will be anonymized, personal information will only be used to prevent duplicate responses. The union abides by the Data Code of Ethics approved by General Membership. Any data collection will not be shared outside the union. In accordance with the Data Code of Ethics, only the Executive Board will be able to see the back end results. 

The Survey will close on May 25th 2026.
Email *
First Name *
Last Name *
Northwestern Email *
NU NetID (ABC1234) *
Department *
Program (if different from Department)
What year did you start your Ph.D./degree? *

Rate the following issue based on their importance to you: Competitive and Guaranteed Pay Through Graduation Day

Examples: Annual salary increases for the duration of the contract; Enforcing Northwestern’s "Guaranteed” Funding Period

 *

Rate the following issue based on their importance to you: Maintain Health Care Quality & Availability 

Examples: Continuation of dignified insurance coverage; Continuation of guaranteed gender-affirming and reproductive healthcare access

 *

Rate the following issue based on their importance to you: Support and Protections for International Workers

Examples: Continued funding of the International Employee Support Fund; Renewed protections addressing international workers’ real needs

 *

Rate the following issue based on their importance to you: Fair Enforcement of Academic Discipline and Discharge

Examples: Due process for academic consequences which affect working conditions; Maintaining standards set in department handbooks

 *

Rate the following issue based on their importance to you: Worker Control in Our Workplace

Examples: More say in campus accessibility, commute options, and facilities access (e.g. health center); greater say over arbitrary policies such as the recent demonstration policy; stronger protections against federal oversight and surveillance as outlined in the deal with the federal government.

 *
Think about what you ranked as your top priorities. What are some issues within them that are most important to you and why? *
What do you think the gross (pre-tax) stipend should be for the first year of our second contract? (For reference the base TGS stipend starting in Fall 2026 for PhD workers will be $47,741) If you do not make the base TGS rate, please indicate your base rate, program type, and desired improvements. *
Please respond to the following questions if they are relevant to you
International Workers
How well does the current contract address your actual needs and concerns, especially in the current political climate? What additions or changes would support the safety and material well-being of international workers at Northwestern?
Accessibility and Non-discrimination
Are there any barriers that make accessing campus/worksites and performing labor difficult? Do you find your commute unduly burdensome either physically, financially, etc.? Are there any changes you’d like to see in how issues related to non-discrimination and accommodations are handled?
Funding Stability
Have you been denied funding opportunities that should have been available for any reason? Have you been allowed to bank quarters to extend funding into your sixth year, if applicable? Has the university made reasonable efforts to mitigate the impact of funding cuts on your employment?
Childcare and Caregiving 
Have you been able to access the resources guaranteed under the first contract? Do you feel supported by the University as a parent or caregiver? Has your graduate student status significantly affected decisions you’ve made regarding family planning? What additions or changes to the current contract would best support the needs of parents and caregivers?
Are there any other issues that are priorities you’d want to fight for in our second contract?
What actions will you take to help us win a strong contract? (Join CAT!) *
Required
Would you like to learn more about or contribute to any of the following NUGW-UE working groups? (check all that apply) Use "Other" to propose a new working Group.
A copy of your responses will be emailed to .
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