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Harvard Graduate Student Council Passes Resolution Asking Harvard to Drop NLRB Appeal


Over the past year, I made note of a union election at Harvard by graduate students that sought to unionize.  After the election occurred, there were subsequent challenges made to several ballots cast as well as claims that Harvard prevented eligible students from participating in the election.  An objection was filed with the National Labor Relations Board ("NLRB") and in July, the NLRB's Regional Director called for a second election.

Was that the end of things?  Of course not.  Harvard subsequently appealed to the NLRB and argued there should not be a second election to determine whether or not eligible students may unionize.  Last Wednesday, 75% of Harvard's Graduate Student Council voted in favor of a resolution urging Harvard to drop its NLRB appeal.  (A 2/3 majority vote of Harvard's Graduate Student Council was needed to pass the resolution.)  In short, the resolution argued that Harvard was attempting to change labor law via its appeal and that a Harvard victory (ie denying a second election) would weaken labor rights nationwide.

Will this resolution change Harvard's mind?  I would not hold my breath.  Given that Harvard believes it complied with the voter list requirement and that voters were generally well informed about the election, there is little reason to think it will drop its appeal at this time...regardless of what the Harvard Graduate Student Council suggests.



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