Updates and Guidance on Graduate Student Unionization (Faculty Message)

Dear faculty,

Earlier this week, the National Labor Relations Board certified the results of the graduate student election in favor of representation by the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America. Because eligible graduate students have now unionized, the University and the union are required to engage in collective bargaining over pay, benefits and other working conditions for graduate students in the bargaining unit.

To summarize the next steps, collective bargaining typically is conducted in a series of meetings at which representatives of the union and Northwestern exchange written proposals for a collective bargaining agreement (also called a “union contract” or a “labor contract”). The negotiations for an initial contract can take months and oftentimes a year or longer.

During this interim period between the union election and the ratification of a collective bargaining agreement, the University must maintain the status quo with respect to graduate student “terms and conditions of employment.” Generally speaking, this means that the University cannot unilaterally change aspects of graduate students’ appointments (including pay and benefits) without prior discussion with the union. Faculty and staff members continue to have the same right to speak freely and express opinions about unions and unionization, while avoiding any threats, coercion or promises of benefits.

We have updated the graduate student unionization website to address the post-election process and to help answer questions that have arisen since the vote outcome was announced. We also have created a new brief to summarize these updates.

Unionization may well change the nature of our working relationship with graduate students. However, we won’t know exactly what this means until we have a final contract. In the meantime, if you have questions or feedback in the coming months, we encourage you to continue submitting them to our online form or to reach out to your dean’s offices.

Thank you for your continued engagement on this important issue and, most importantly, for your support of our graduate students.

Thank you,

Kathleen Hagerty
Provost and Professor

Kelly Mayo
Dean of The Graduate School and
Associate Provost for Graduate Education