Thousands of early-career NIH researchers forming union for first time

Re:Thousands of early-career NIH researchers forming union f... by sybercecurity on Monday June 05, 2023 @09:06AM (#36195635)

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.

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Re:Thousands of early-career NIH researchers forming union f... by einpoklum on Monday June 05, 2023 @09:12AM (#36195705)

That's one of the struggles for the union to conduct. Part-time, junior, temporary staff - are staff, and should be recognized as staff, with the full set of rights and benefits befitting their position and their needs as people and as professionals.

And the same goes for junior research staff at universities (assistants, fellows, post-docs etc).

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