TO THE EDITOR:
One of the most vulnerable yet least vocal communities upon which this University relies is the community of postdoctoral researchers. These severely underpaid individuals mentor graduate students, propose new research projects, and much of the grant money supporting this institution is due to their remarkable work.
Wednesday, with two days’ notice, the postdocs were informed that their primary job benefit — high quality health insurance — was being radically and unaffordably altered. This announcement helped underscore many of the ways in which this University is failing the postdoctoral community. Under the new insurance proposals, premiums will rise 30 percent or out of pocket expense caps will rise 300 percent.
For a group of people in their late 20s and early 30s, this directly interferes with family planning. The proposed increases represent a significant decline in their already low salaries (equating to a 6 percent or 10 percent decrease in pay, depending on the proposal chosen), and will be difficult to absorb.
It was insulting that this matter was presented by the University to the postdocs as open for discussion, when there are only two days before the changes will be instituted.
All postdocs have made personal sacrifices to pursue their educations and many are compelled by a weak job market to undertake two postdoc positions. Such radical alterations to their benefits, made in the middle of their employment contracts, directly interfere with their financial ability to plan for a family and should not be tolerated.
Michael A. Tycon
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
