City Council support of the UE 256 graduate workers at MIT and their efforts to secure a fair contract.

POR 2026-162 FIRST IN COUNCIL September 14, 2026 City of Cambridge COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN VICE MAYOR AZEEM COUNCILLOR AL-ZUBI WHEREAS: Graduate workers represented by MIT GSU-UE 256 perform essential work throughout the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, contributing to the research and teaching missions of the Institute; and WHEREAS: UE 256 and MIT are currently negotiating a successor collective bargaining agreement, with graduate workers seeking no cuts to healthcare benefits, protections for international workers, and strong union rights through maintaining the previous union security clause; and WHEREAS: International workers comprise over 40% of all graduate workers at MIT and are essential to the Institute’s success, but the MIT administration has refused to commit to increased protections, seeking to maintain “flexibility” in case of federal policy changes; and WHEREAS: The MIT administration has consistently offered concessionary proposals, including ones that would allow them to cut healthcare coverage; and WHEREAS: The MIT administration has proposed replacing MIT GSU’s union shop with an open shop agreement that would not only undermine the negotiating position, unity, and contract enforcement power of MIT GSU but also threaten the negotiating position of all unions at MIT, including SEIU Local 32BJ; UNITE HERE Local 26; AFSCME Council 93; and the Research, Development and Technical Employees’ Union; and WHEREAS: As one of Cambridge’s largest employers, MIT has an important role in promoting fair labor standards and constructive labor relations; now therefore be it ORDERED: That this City Council go on record in support of the UE 256 graduate workers at MIT and their efforts to secure a fair contract; and be it further ORDERED: That this City Council go on record respectfully urging MIT to reach a fair and timely agreement that provides secure healthcare benefits, protections for international workers, union shop, and an end to concessionary proposals; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this Policy Order to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, Provost Anantha P. Chandrakasan, Chancellor Melissa Nobles, Executive Vice President and Treasurer Glen Shor, and MIT GSU-UE 256 on behalf of the entire City Council.

A true copy; ATTEST:- Paula M. Crane, Interim City Clerk

City of Cambridge City Council support of the UE 256 graduate workers at MIT and their efforts to secure a fair contract.