Graduate Student Unionization Election Scheduled for Jan. 10-11 (Graduate Student Message)
Dear graduate students,
We write today with an update about the Petition for Election filed by the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE), a labor union seeking to represent graduate students at Northwestern.
During the time since UE initially filed a Petition for Election, the University and UE have worked together and with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to reach an agreement on the details for a secret-ballot election that will determine whether a majority of eligible graduate students wish to be represented by the UE union. These details include who is eligible to vote, where and when voting will take place, and who would be in the “bargaining unit” (a group of individuals collectively represented by a labor union) if a majority of voters cast ballots in favor of unionizing with UE. Please keep in mind that union representation elections are determined by the majority of votes cast, so it is important for every eligible student to vote as you will be subject to the outcome of the election.
The University and UE, with the NLRB’s input and approval, have reached an agreement about the details of the election, which will take place Jan. 10-11 on the Evanston and Chicago campuses. Per the NLRB, all voting will take place in person and there is not a mail-in option. For your convenience, we have added a new Election Details section to our graduate student unionization website. The information that can be found in this new section also is included at the bottom of this message. Election details also will be contained in a Notice of Election issued by the NLRB, which will be physically posted on campus, emailed to eligible voters by the University and posted on our graduate student unionization website during the first week of January.
Please note, students who do not receive a Notice of Election email in early January from the University are not considered eligible to vote and will no longer receive emails like this one.
We appreciate the students, faculty and staff who have visited the graduate student unionization website, viewed the graduate student unionization information session, submitted questions through our online form and gathered information about student unionization from UE and other sources. As our Winter Recess approaches, we wish you a healthy and restful break with your loved ones while you contemplate how you will vote in this important election.
Thank you,
Kathleen Hagerty
Provost and Professor
Kelly Mayo
Dean of The Graduate School and
Associate Provost for Graduate Education
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Who is included in the potential bargaining unit?
The NLRB has approved a unit definition that includes the following students: Graduate students enrolled in Northwestern University degree programs who are providing instructional and research services for the University, including graduate assistants, teaching assistants, research assistants and fellows.
Who is excluded from the potential bargaining unit?
The NLRB has approved a unit definition that excludes the following individuals: All other employees; graduate students who are not providing instructional or research services for the University; undergraduate students; graduate students not seeking Northwestern degrees, including visiting students; graduate student graders, tutors and proctors who are not otherwise providing instructional or research services for the University; assistant chairs in residential colleges; residential assistants; students enrolled in the Pritzker School of Law; M.D. seeking students in the Feinberg School of Medicine (including M.D./Ph.D. students in Feinberg who are in their M.D. phase of studies); students enrolled in the Medill School of Journalism; office clericals; managers; guards and supervisors as defined in the Act.
Please note: Bargaining unit inclusions and exclusions are the product of negotiations between the University and the UE union, with input and guidance from the NLRB. A bargaining unit will be formed if a majority of the votes cast are “yes” votes for union representation. If a majority of the votes cast are “no” votes against union representation, there will be no graduate student union at this time.
Who is eligible to vote?
Graduate students who (a) do meet the criteria in the “Included” definition above; (b) do not meet the criteria in the “Excluded” definition above; (c) received pay, via payroll, for providing instructional or research services for the University in the November 2022 monthly (Nov. 30) or Dec. 10, 2022 bi-weekly payroll; and (d) have not graduated or withdrawn from enrollment as of the date of the election.
I am not eligible to vote. Will I be in the union if one is voted in?
If a union is voted in, graduate students will be represented by the union when they are performing instructional or research services for the University. Conversely, graduate students will not be represented by the union when they are not performing instructional or research services for the University.
What if I believe I am eligible to vote but am not on the eligible voter list?
If you believe you are eligible to vote based on the definition above and are not on the eligible voter list, you may be able to vote by requesting a ballot at the designated polling location for the academic program in which you’re enrolled. Your ballot likely will be “challenged,” which means it will be counted only if the outcome of the election could be affected by counting challenged ballots.
When will voting take place?
The election is scheduled for Jan. 10 and Jan. 11 in Evanston and Chicago. The times will vary by location and are listed on our website.
Where will voting take place, and what is my required location for voting?
Voting location is assigned by the academic program in which a graduate student is enrolled. Please visit the website for precise details on voting locations.