Graduate Student Union Contract

The contract terms apply to graduate students only when they are in the bargaining unit (i.e., providing research or instructional services for the University).

The contract covers graduate students in the bargaining unit who are enrolled in degree programs and providing instructional and research services for the University and not otherwise subject to an exclusion.

It is possible that two students in similar roles may not both be in the bargaining unit depending on what they are doing a particular quarter. For example, a graduate assistant who is exclusively performing administrative work in a quarter would not be in the bargaining unit, whereas one who is also a teaching assistant that quarter would be in the bargaining unit for that quarter. Being a graduate assistant or on fellowship is not the determining factor in and of itself when determining bargaining unit status. In addition, graders, tutors and proctors, among others, who are not otherwise providing research/instructional services are excluded from the bargaining unit, per the National Labor Relations Board’s certification and the collective bargaining agreement’s recognition clause.

With advance authorization, the University shall deduct union dues or agency fees from graduate student workers’ pay and remit the deducted funds to the union.

The payment of either union dues or agency fees is a condition of employment in a bargaining unit position.

Based on the payroll calendar, the ratification bonus is scheduled to be paid in April.

All graduate students who were in the bargaining unit (i.e., providing research or instructional services for the University) at the time of ratification (March 15, 2024) will receive the ratification bonus.

Graduate students in the bargaining unit (i.e., those students who are providing research or instructional services for the University) on June 1, 2024 will receive a base stipend increase under the terms of the contract.

Graduate students in the bargaining unit (i.e., providing research or instructional services for the University) on September 1, 2024 will receive a base stipend increase under the terms of the contract.

At the University’s discretion, the following four additional groups of students will see the same stipend increases as those in their program who are performing research or instructional services for the University: 1) graduate students in full-funded PhD and TGS MFA programs who are in their period of guaranteed funding, 2) graduate students enrolled in the Kellogg School of Management PhD program who are in their period of guaranteed funding, 3) graduate students in the Bienen School of Music who are enrolled in the doctor of musical arts (DMA) program and in their period of guaranteed funding, and 4) graduate students in the Bienen School of Music who are enrolled in the masters of music (MM) program and whose offers of admission include funding.

In addition, PhD students will receive a TGS base stipend rate of $45,000 per year beginning on September 1, 2024 for any full quarters of funding, including student banked quarters or advanced student quarters.

Graduate student employees not enrolled in full-funded programs, employees who are beyond their period of guaranteed funding, and/or employees working pursuant to appointments outside of or in addition to the base funding related to their academic program will be paid a minimum hourly rate of $23 per hour effective September 1, 2024.

• The open enrollment period for coverage from 3/1/2024 to 8/31/2024 has been extended to April 15, 2024.
• In addition to 100% individual medical insurance coverage for employees in full-funded programs and in their period of guaranteed funding, the union contract includes 100% individual dental insurance coverage and 100% individual vision insurance coverage for the same group.
• Graduate students who are in full-funded programs and in their period of guaranteed funding and in the bargaining unit (i.e., providing research or instructional services for the University) should have received an email from Student Health Insurance to enroll in individual vision and/or dental insurance at 100% coverage.
• At the University’s discretion, all graduate students enrolled in a full-funded program (PhD, MFA, or DMA) and in their period of guaranteed funding should have also received this email inviting them to enroll in individual vision and/or dental insurance at 100% coverage.
• Starting on September 1, 2024, PhD students who are fully funded and registered full-time in a funded registration will also be eligible to enroll in individual vision and/or dental insurance at 100% coverage at the University’s discretion.
• Your eligibility for this plan will be verified. Only graduate students enrolled in a full-funded academic program (PhD, MFA or DMA) and in their period of guaranteed funding are eligible to enroll. If you do not meet each of these requirements, your plan will be canceled and you may be responsible for out-of-pocket expenses for claims processed under this plan. 
• You are not required to participate in the Northwestern University Student Health Insurance Plan (NU-SHIP) to enroll.

Consistent with the terms of the recently ratified collective bargaining agreement, current bargaining unit members in full-funded programs and in their period of guaranteed funding who voluntarily enrolled in the 12-month vision and/or dental benefits last fall will be reimbursed for half of their annual premium.

In its discretion, the University is choosing to extend this opportunity for reimbursement to any graduate student in a full-funded program (PhD, MFA and DMA) in their period of guaranteed funding who paid out-of-pocket to enroll last fall in the 12-month plan, regardless of their current bargaining unit status.

If you enrolled in individual dental and/or vision insurance for the second half (six months) of the coverage period and not the first half (six months) of the coverage period, the University will provide reimbursement for the associated costs.

You do not need to re-enroll in the dental and/or vision plans if you are already enrolled for this coverage period.

Additional information on requesting reimbursement will be forthcoming.

The TGS childcare grant offers extra childcare support to fully funded PhD and MFA student parents within TGS. The childcare grant award amounts have increased and a third child up to the age of 13 may be added consistent with the terms of the recently ratified collective bargaining agreement between Northwestern University and NUGW-UE Local 1122. At the University's discretion, the combined family income threshold has been increased from $130,000 to $150,000 to align with eligibility for Northwestern's other caregiving programs.

Grants are awarded as follows:

• Maximum $5,000 for one child per year
• Maximum $8,000 for two children per year
• Maximum $12,000 for three children per year

Student parents who were newly eligible or wanted to add a third child should have completed this application form by Thursday, April 11, 2024 to be considered for funding for the Spring Quarter. Children up to the age of 13 qualify for the childcare grant (limit three children per family, one grant per household).

Awards are paid in quarterly installments and are not retroactive. Eligible students may apply in any quarter by the application deadline to receive that quarter's installment and any subsequent quarter's installment in the same academic year. Please note that those who were already awarded this grant in the Fall and/or Winter Quarters did not need to reapply in Spring Quarter if there were no changes. The funds will be automatically deposited at the new grant award amount for the Spring Quarter for those who still meet the eligibility requirements.

Graduate student workers generally should consult with their direct supervisor(s) to request time off at least two weeks in advance.

For incidental, temporary illnesses and exposures to infectious illness, graduate students may request time off from their direct supervisors and such requests shall not be unreasonably denied.

The collective bargaining agreement provides that “no employee should be compelled to devote more than an average of 20 hours per week over the course of their appointment period on work not associated with degree requirements and academic expectations.”  Time spent by graduate students on academic efforts associated with degree requirements and academic expectations are not subject to this limit.

Yes, the union contract includes a schedule of minimum hourly rates for appointments unrelated to base funding. These hourly rates also may be set as a flat-rate equivalent based on a set expectation of hours worked.

Yes, graduate students can be appointed to bargaining unit positions for periods less than a full quarter or year, subject to the needs and discretion of the University.

No. Employees must continue to follow TGS’s Permission to Work Policy in order to undertake work that is not assigned to them in their appointment letter(s) and/or letter of admission.