On Feb. 4, 2025, the Princeton University and PUPS-UAW bargaining teams returned to the bargaining table for their first of two scheduled sessions in the month of February to continue negotiating a first-time collective bargaining agreement for Princeton postdoctoral researchers and associate research scholars.

The two February sessions provided the opportunity for deepened discussions associated with articles proposed in previous sessions, resulting in the parties reaching a tentative agreement on a third article — job posting. Notably, the second session in February marked the first time the management bargaining team presented University-initiated proposals.

Between the two February sessions, the University has sought to ensure that the contract reflects its robust policies on discrimination and harassment, Title IX, and sexual misconduct, which apply to all other University populations, including other unionized populations. The University has likewise sought to ensure the contract reflects that members of the bargaining unit have the same rights under the University’s intellectual property policy as faculty members (and all other University employees) and that they are afforded the same rights and protections under the University’s research misconduct policy, which is aligned with federal regulations. 

The University expects continued progress towards tentative agreements on some articles during the month of March, and it also looks forward to receiving the union’s economic proposals (for example, salary and benefits). Receiving the union’s full set of requests with a financial component will enable the University to review received proposals that contain financial components in a comprehensive manner. 

Further updates will be provided during the spring semester as the parties continue good-faith bargaining towards establishing a first-time agreement for Princeton postdoctoral researchers and associate research scholars.