On behalf of your union, BPLO — the Brown Postdoc Labor Organization — welcome to the Brown University community! We’re glad you’re here.

BPLO is your union — and because of your union, postdocs are making meaningful improvements to working conditions at Brown. Postdocs started organizing our union in 2023, and after a couple years of committed organizing, we have won an historic first contract! What have we won?

Most notably, when we started organizing, the minimum salary for a postdoc with no prior postdoc experience was just under $56,500. In two years, raised the minimum salary to $65,000 AND secured guaranteed annual raises no matter your salary. Additionally, all new postdocs will receive a $3,000 onboarding stipend, and all international scholars will be eligible to have up to $1,500 of visa expenses reimbursed.

FIRST CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS

Salary & Raises

• Immediate raises: Postdocs hired before July 1, 2025 get a 3.25% raise or a bump to the new minimum salary, whichever is higher.
• New minimum salary: $65,000 for first-year postdocs (up from $56,484 when bargaining began), plus $1,000 for each year of prior postdoc experience. All postdocs—including those hired on or after July 1, 2025—will be brought up to these minimums.
• Annual raises: Automatic 2.75% raise every July 1.
• No salary cap: You can always negotiate higher pay with your PI or department.

Onboarding Support

• $3,000 onboarding stipend for all postdocs hired after contract ratification.

International Scholars

• Visa cost relief: Up to $1,500 reimbursed for approved visa-related expenses (travel, premium processing, application fees).
• Employer fees covered: Brown pays all legally required employer fees, including premium processing when required.
• No PTO penalty: Visa-related travel does not count against PTO.

Emergency Fund

• $40,000 annual emergency fund, with grants of up to $1,000 for unexpected crises. We especially encourage parents to apply for this fund.

Paid Time Off

• Annual PTO will increase to 24 days per year, accrued at 2 days per month (up from the former annual of 10 days).

Workplace Materials

• You are guaranteed access to an appropriate computer for your work

Right to Disconnect

• Protections over working hours and right to disconnect outside of standard business hours.
• You are not obligated nor expected to respond to communications with your PI or other administrators and coworkers outside of the hours when you regularly work.

Discrimination & Harassment Protections

• An independent process for handling workplace misconduct claims, so we aren’t forced to wait on the University’s timelines or procedures.

Grievance & Fair Discipline

• A formal grievance process and clearer disciplinary procedures — essential protections for you when our workplace rights are violated.

What’s next?

With our contract in place, it’s up to us and our members to enforce it. It’s our members’ commitment and solidarity that make raises and protections possible, even in difficult times like these. When postdocs stand together as union members, we have the power to win meaningful improvements—like higher salaries, stronger protections against harassment, more paid time off, and real support for international scholars.

Joining your union means adding your voice to that collective strength. The more of us who are members, the more power we have to enforce our contract, defend our rights, and push for even greater improvements in the future. Together, we make Brown a better place to work and do research. Join BPLO as a member today by filling out a membership card at this link, or at the top of this page.