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One To Keep An Eye On: Harvard Graduate & Undergraduate Students Vote On Whether to Unionize


Late last week, students at Harvard held an election on whether to unionize.  This election was unique for two reasons:  First, eligible voters included both graduate and undergraduate student research and teaching assistants (the first such vote to include both).  If these students vote to unionize, Harvard would become only the second private university to have a graduate student union (along with New York University).  In addition, this is the first union election at a university since the NLRB's August decision which held that graduate and undergraduate students can be recognized as workers (and therefore have the ability to unionize).

Back in February, it had been estimated that approximately 60% of graduate students that were considered 'employed' by Harvard had signed unionization cards.  Note, that was more than double the amount necessary to call for a union election.  Of course that does not necessarily mean that these students will actually vote to unionize...but it certainly gives those pro-union supporters a glimmer of hope as we wait for an announcement on the outcome of the vote last week.

As could be expected, leading up to last week's election, supporters on both sides made last minute arguments.  Unsurprisingly, several Deans at Harvard voiced opposition to the vote, while others (including many graduate students) advocated for the students to vote in favor of unionization.  Difficult to say if those last minute appeals had any impact, but it certainly would not surprise me that when the results are announced, it will become clear that the students have chosen to unionize.


For additional information:  http://www.thedp.com/article/2016/11/harvard-votes-unionization

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