Labor Relations

SENS-UAW Local 7902
On Campus Since: 2017 
Employees Represented: 1000
Work Group: Academic student workers, including Teaching Assistants, Teaching Fellows, Research Associates, Research Assistants, Course Assistants, and Tutors
Current Contract: 9/1/23 - 8/31/26

All academic student workers who belong to this union and supervisors of such employees must thoroughly review the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the university and Local 7902, UAW.

Information for Academic Student Workers
The university uses a cloud-based Web HR system called MyDay. It improves the way The New School provides key human resources services. For step-by-step instructions on how an ASW can review their compensation information in MyDay, please refer to the Guide to Viewing Your Compensation.

Tax Information for International Students
As an international student in the United States, you need to understand the tax requirements of your visa and your filing obligations with the International Revenue Service (IRS) for tax years that you are here in the United States. A tax year is the same as a calendar year (January 1-December 31). The type of paperwork you must complete and the taxes you must pay depend on whether you have income and whether you are considered a nonresident or resident for tax purposes. For more information, please visit the International Student and Scholar Services website.

Professional Development
Each ASW is eligible to be reimbursed for up to $500 per semester in accordance with the procedures for reimbursement outlined in the University’s Business and Travel Expense Policy. Pre-authorization for professional development funds is required; please complete the online application.

Covered expenses include one-time reimbursable expenses directly related to the ASW’s job-related professional development, such as: conference registration, travel expenses, hotel accommodations, gallery space rental, fees for workshops/courses not offered by the university. Specifically excluded expenses include all mandatory training as required by the university, equipment and materials, fees for service, time spent for Union- or employment-initiated trainings, per diem funding, and/or personal expenses not directly and exclusively related to the covered expenses named above.

SENS-UAW Student Health Insurance Rebate Information
Pursuant to Article XXV: Healthcare Rebate of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), an Academic Student Worker (ASW) will be eligible to receive a discount on the student healthcare insurance premiums if they meet the following criteria:

• The Academic Student Worker is enrolled in and pays for the university's Student Health Insurance Plan.
• Effective for the Fall 2024 semester, all Academic Student Workers matriculated in Doctor of Philosophy degree and Master’s degree programs at The New School hired as ASWs shall receive an 80% discount on student health insurance premiums. For all ASWs matriculated in degree programs at The New School other than Doctor of Philosophy or Master’s Programs, eligibility for the rebate is as follows: 
  • To receive the Tier 1 discount, the ASW must have worked at least an average of (10) hours per week (at least 150 hours per semester/session) in one (1) prior semester/session in unit position(s) as of or after Fall 2023; and must have been appointed to work at least an average of ten (10) hours per week (at least 150 hours per semester/session) in unit position(s) in the semester in which the rebate is sought.

  • To receive the Tier 2 discount, the ASW must have worked at least an average of (10) hours per week (at least 150 hours per semester/session) in two (2) or more prior semesters/sessions in unit position(s) as of or after Fall 2023; and must have been appointed to work at least an average of ten (10) hours per week (at least 150 hours in the semester/session) in unit position(s) in the semester in which the rebate is sought.

Academic Student Workers will receive a Tier 1 discount of 50% or a Tier 2 discount of 65%. If the Academic Student Worker does not complete the appointment, then the healthcare credit will be removed from their student account.

For more information, please review our Student Health Insurance Rebate FAQs. Additional details can also be found in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.  

University Services Fee Rebates

Pursuant to Article XXVII: University Services Fee Rebate, in a semester that an ASW works at least an average of five (5) hours per week (at least 75 hours per semester/session) in unit position(s), the ASW will receive a 100% rebate of the University Services Fee, including the International Student Services Fee.

What is a unit position?
Pursuant to the Recognition Clause, the unit positions for SENS-UAW are course assistant, research assistant, research associate, teaching assistant, teaching fellow, and tutor.

Do I need to apply for this rebate?
No, the university will determine eligibility at the end of each semester.

When should I expect to receive my University Services Fee rebate?
Rebates will be calculated at the end of the fall and spring semesters.

Qualified Transportation Expense (QTE) Plan

Administered by EBPA, the QTE Plan enables you to reduce your taxable income by setting aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible commuting expenses. You can enroll in the plan or make changes to your account through MyDay by following these instructions. Your enrollment or change will take effect in the pay period following the date you submit the benefit event through MyDay.

Review the Qualified Transportation Expense Plan Summary for more information.

NYC Safe & Sick & Emergency Instance Leave

Per Article XXI of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Academic Student Workers are entitled to take NYC Safe and Sick and/or Emergency Instance Leave. New procedures are now in place for tracking the use of Safe and Sick Leave and Emergency Instance. Review the Safe and Sick and Emergency Instance Time Off guide for information on eligibility and accruals as well as the updated process for requesting and tracking time off. Please note: Under the provisions of the NYC Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law, students working in Federal Work Study positions are excluded from eligibility for Safe and Sick Leave.

Paid Family Leave (PFL) 

Academic Student Workers are now eligible to take up to 12 weeks of leave from their ASW position; this leave is separate from any leave granted from coursework. General program information is available on the New York State Paid Family Leave website. The university will begin taking payroll deductions starting 9/20/24. To request to opt out of the program, please submit the Employee Opt-Out of Paid Family Leave Benefits Form to the Human Resources Office for approval. The deductions will stop only after approval. 

Questions?

• For questions concerning your SENS-UAW 7902 contract, please contact Labor Relations at [email protected].
• For questions concerning your health insurance, please contact [email protected]. 
• For questions concerning your student account, please contact Student Accounts at [email protected].

Teamsters Local 1205 Clerical
On Campus Since: 1980
Employees Represented: 75
Work Groups: Clerical employees including Office Assistants, Secretaries, Accounting Clerks, Library Clerks, Librarians, Librarian's Assistants, and Mail/Duplicating Clerks
Current Contract: Runs to June 30, 2024

All employees who belong to this union and supervisors of such employees must thoroughly review the contract between the university and Local 1205, IBT. The current contract is in effect for the period from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2024.

As outlined in the university's COVD-19 Community Guidelines, all community members including students, faculty, and staff are required to be fully vaccinated. Please review the side letter signed by Local 1205 regarding the university's vaccination requirement.

Applying for Tuition Waiver Benefits
A Tuition Waiver Request Form must be completed by the employee and submitted to Human Resources (along with the required supporting documentation if the tuition waiver request is for a dependent—refer to the plan policy) before registering for a course. Once the request is approved by Human Resources, the individual will receive an email regarding the registration process. Otherwise, the employee will be billed by the university for the tuition and mandatory fees.

Teamsters Local 1205 Professional
On Campus Since: December 12, 2016
Employees Represented: 135
Work Group: Professional employees including Audio-Visual Technicians, Financial Aid Counselors, Information Technology Technicians, Program Administrators, Student Accountant Coordinators, Student Success Advisors, Making Center Technicians, International Student Advisors, Senior Student Success Advisors, Student Account Coordinators, and Student Account Specialists
Current Contract: 1/1/22-12/31/26

All employees who belong to this union and supervisors of such employees must thoroughly review the contract between the university and Local 1205, IBT. The current contract is in effect for the period from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022.

As outlined in the university's COVD-19 Community Guidelines, all community members including students, faculty, and staff are required to be fully vaccinated.  Please review the side letter signed by Local 1205 regarding the university's vaccination requirement.

Employees Represented: 20
Current Contract: 7/1/23-12/31/27

The New School recognizes Local 7902 Student Health Employees at The New School, SHENS-UAW, as the collective bargaining unit for providers of healthcare services to students at The New School such as therapists, counselors, nurses, social workers, physicians, physicians’ assistants, nurse managers, the director of wellness, and the director of community health. All employees who belong to this union and supervisors of such employees must thoroughly review the ratified Collective Bargaining Agreement between the university and Local 7902, SHENS-UAW.

As outlined in the university's COVD-19 Community Guidelines, all community members including students, faculty, and staff are required to be fully vaccinated. Please review the side letter signed  by UAW regarding the university's vaccination requirement.

SEIU 32BJ – Maintenance
On Campus Since: 1970
Employees Represented: 96
Work Groups: Facilities, maintenance, and cleaning staff
Current Contract: 1/1/20 - 12/31/23

All employees who belong to this union and all supervisors of these employees must thoroughly review the contract between RAB and Local 32BJ, SEIU.

Applying for Tuition Waiver Benefits
A Tuition Waiver Request Form must be completed by the employee and submitted to Human Resources (along with the required supporting documentation if the tuition waiver request is for a dependent—refer to the plan policy) before registering for a course. Once the request is approved by Human Resources, the individual will receive an email regarding the registration process. Otherwise, the employee will be billed by the university for the tuition and mandatory fees.

International Union of Operating Engineers Local 94
On Campus Since: 2013
Employees Represented: 10
Work Group: Engineers
Current Contract: 1/1/2023-12/31/2026

The New School adheres to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement between Local 94-94A-94B of the International Union of Operating Engineers AFL-CIO and The Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations, Inc. (RAB) with respect to university-employed engineers, mechanics, and helpers, including chief engineers and assistant chief engineers who work in buildings where those classifications are represented by the union.

All New School employees who belong in this union and/or supervise these classes of employees are expected to thoroughly review the contract between Local 94 and RAB.

Applying for Tuition Waiver Benefits
A Tuition Waiver Request Form must be completed by the employee and submitted to Human Resources (along with the required supporting documentation if the tuition waiver request is for a dependent—refer to the plan policy) before registering for a course. Once the request is approved by Human Resources, the individual will receive an email regarding the registration process. Otherwise, the employee will be billed by the university for the tuition and mandatory fees.

SEIU 32BJ — Security
On Campus Since: 1995
Employees Represented: 70
Work Group: Campus safety guards
Current Contract: Runs to June 30, 2026

All employees who belong to this union and all employees who supervise them must thoroughly review the contract between the university and Local 32BJ, SEIU.

Applying for Tuition Waiver Benefits
A Tuition Waiver Request Form must be completed by the employee and submitted to Human Resources (along with the required supporting documentation if the tuition waiver request is for a dependent—refer to the plan policy) before registering for a course. Once the request is approved by Human Resources, the individual will receive an email regarding the registration process. Otherwise, the employee will be billed by the university for the tuition and mandatory fees.

American Federation of Musicians — Local 802
On Campus Since: 1998
Work Group: Part-time faculty at the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music
Employees Represented: 130
Current Contract: 5/16/2022 - 6/30/2028 

All faculty members who belong to the union and all supervisors of these faculty members are required to thoroughly review the contract between the university and Local 802. The current contract is in effect from May 16, 2022 to June 30, 2028.

As outlined in the university's COVD-19 Community Guidelines, all community members including students, faculty, and staff are required to be fully vaccinated. Please review the side letter signed by Local 802 regarding the university's vaccination requirement. 

Visit the Part-Time Faculty Contract Implementation Hub for information on contract implementation, including the transition to biweekly pay schedules.

New Faculty Orientation
All new or rehired part-time faculty members are required to attend orientation.

Spring 2025 Orientation
The event details are as follows:

Event:            New Part-time Faculty Orientation
Date:             Friday, January 17, 9:30-11:30 am ET (optional 30 minute Q&A at 11:30 am)

The registration form will be available in December. Please register for the Part-time Faculty New Hire Orientation using your name and New School email or personal email if you have not yet been issued a New School email address. Once you register, you will receive a Zoom link for the meeting that will enable you to join.

Paid Academic Leave
Paid academic leaves are available to part-time faculty who are members of the bargaining unit covered by the collective bargaining between Local 802 and the university (hereinafter referred to as "Part-Time Jazz Classroom Faculty Members"). Part-time Jazz classroom faculty who have worked as part-time jazz classroom faculty for the university for at least ten (10) years and who have not received a paid academic leave during a six (6) year period before applying for a paid academic leave are eligible for a paid academic leave.

• A paid academic leave is for one semester.
• A maximum of one paid academic leave will be granted per academic year.

Part-time Jazz classroom faculty who have questions about this policy or any other leave of absence can email Arlene De La Rosa at [email protected].

What is the purpose of a paid academic leave?
Paid academic leaves are provided so that eligible part-time faculty can pursue professional or academic research projects.

How do I request paid academic leave?
To apply, an eligible part-time faculty member must complete Part-Time Faculty Paid Leave Application Form. For questions on the application, supporting materials, or submission please email universityptfaffairs@newschool. 

When should I request paid academic leave?
The deadline to apply for a paid academic leave for academic year 2025-2026 is Friday, January 31, 2025.

When and how will I know if my paid academic leave request has been granted or denied?
The Office of Human Resources will send an email to the faculty member's New School email account informing the faculty member whether their request for leave has been granted or denied.

How does the university decide whether to grant or deny a paid academic leave request?
Paid academic leaves are granted on the basis of the faculty member's seniority and merit of the application.

Can I maintain my New School benefits while on paid academic leave?
Yes. If the faculty member elects not to discontinue their health and/or dental care insurance coverage while on leave, deductions for the employee's share of the premiums will continue to be taken from the faculty member's pay during the period of the leave.

Can I apply for a paid leave in the summer?
No. Paid leaves are not available during the summer.

What are my obligations upon return from paid academic leave?
Part-time Jazz classroom faculty members must return to teaching at the university in the semester following the period of paid academic leave and submit a report to Human Resources giving evidence of the academic work accomplished while on leave. A faculty member may be asked to give a more detailed presentation on their project at the discretion of the university.

What will my compensation be while I'm on paid academic leave?
The university will pay a part-time Jazz classroom faculty member on paid academic leave the same pay that the faculty member received from the university in the same semester during the previous academic year plus any applicable across-the-board increase.