Our Platform

The power to secure a fair, equitable, and sustainable future at the NIH comes from Fellows taking action together–no matter the administration. The RISE (Rights and Inclusion through Solidarity and Empowerment) slate envisions creating the conditions for every Fellow to become a leader in our shared struggle. Each aspect of RISE reinforces the others, but each branch stems from our commitment to empower Fellows to take ownership of our union and workplace.

  • As NIH Fellows, we have won unprecedented rights with our first contract that protects our work, wellbeing, and dignity. These hard-fought victories establish a foundation for fairness and respect in our workplace. To build on these achievements, we must:

    • Enforce workplace safety standards and our right to necessary personal protective equipment, training, and safe working conditions.

    • Protect the rights of Visiting Fellows, such as access to visa support and timely processing.

    • Safeguard our rights to reasonable work schedules, paid time off, and work-life balance through enforcement and collective action.

    • Make NIH a safe space for all by strongly enforcing our harassment and discrimination protections.

    • Fight for our right for fair pay, including annual raises.

    • Continue to push for more equitable benefits, such as retirement and parental support, that ensure Fellows can focus on their work without financial strain.

  • Every worker has a voice and place in their union. We are committed to building a democratic, open, and participatory union that fosters participation from diverse backgrounds, ensuring all Fellows have a stake in shaping our collective future. Doing so requires:

    • Growing to supermajority membership across all campuses and Fellowship categories to ensure everyone has a say in the way our union is run.

    • Organizing regular membership meetings accessible to all Fellows to foster transparency, collective decision-making, and a strong sense of community.

    • Having constructive, good-faith debate, ensuring every Fellow’s voice is heard, consensus is reached, and that we stand united to protect our rights as workers.

    • Working together regardless of personal differences so there is no division to separate workers in our pursuit of a better future for all.

  • Our solidarity is our strength in the fight to protect science and advance racial, social, and economic justice. At the NIH, we stand together to demand policies that strengthen labor and hold those in power accountable. Through collective action, we have won before and will continue to win—no administration can stop us from fighting for what we deserve. Together, we’ve built the first Higher Ed union in UAW Region 8 and the first federal union in the UAW. This gives us the opportunity and responsibility to work alongside other unions and organizations across different institutions to expand rights for all workers across higher education and beyond.

    To build even further, we must amplify our voice and strengthen our collective power with other workers by:

    • Building union density at the NIH by supporting non-unionized workers in organizing efforts.

    • Strengthen Union Power at the NIH by forming relationships with other NIH unions, including service workers (LiUNA Local 572), food service workers (UNITE HERE Local 25), firefighters (IAFF Local F-271), and support and technical staff (AFGE 2419).

    • Work with other Maryland UAW locals to elect and hold pro-labor politicians accountable, as well as  mobilize around policies that protect Fellows, science, and workers.

    • Contribute to and build on existing coalitions for higher education within UAW and the larger labor movement.

  • We won our contract because Fellows across the NIH—every building, campus, and Fellowship type—took mass action together. We built this strength through person-to-person connection and organizing. To protect and expand our rights, we are committed to sustainable, long-term worker power that carries us into the next contract and beyond. To achieve this we must: 

    • Systematically reach every coworker, building shared trust and confidence to stand united together.

    • Grow to supermajority membership so that every Fellow has a say in shaping and strengthening our union.

    • Continuously develop diverse leadership across every building and campus to advance a collective, democratically decided agenda and to sustain our union beyond any single set of leaders.

    • Elect officers who are accountable to the membership and empowered to wield institutional power.

    • Orient every new and current worker to their union, their rights, and welcome them into UAW 2750.

    • Equip all Fellows with the education to enforce their rights as part of a collective and build power through regular contract-enforcement trainings.

    • Establish enforcement working groups around key areas like health & safety, Visiting Fellows rights, and contract enforcement.