February 24, 2016

32 universities have graduate unions 18 more have active campaigns. Six of the Big Ten Conference’s 14 universities already have graduate employee unions

1 Boston University -- Federation of United Student Employees 2 Brandeis University -- Committee to Lead to Organize the Graduates 3 Brown University -- Graduate Employee Organization 4 Columbia University -- Graduate Student Employees United 5 Cornell University -- Cornell Association of Student Employees 6 Indiana University -- Graduate Employees Organization 7 Ohio State University -- Graduate Employees & Students Organization 9 Purdue University -- Graduate Employee Organization 10 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute -- Graduate Employees /Rensselaer 11 Tufts University -- Association of Student Employees 12 University of Chicago -- Graduate Students United 13 University of Maryland -- Maryland Teachers and Researchers 14 University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill -- Graduate Employee Union 15 University of Pennsylvania -- Graduate Employees Together 16 University of Southern California -- United Student Workers 17 University of Virginia -- Graduate Labor Union 18 Yale University -- Graduate Employees Organization

The process or tendency of colleges and universities (both public and private) taking on characteristics of private enterprises. Privatization connotes a greater orientation to the student as a consumer, including the concept of the college education as a "product“ Attention to image, competitor institutions and "market niches"; pricing and the enhancement of net earned revenue; and aggressive marketing.

Tuition continue to rise Students in greater debt Fewer tenure track positions Profs doing more research & less teaching Graduate employees & adjuncts picking up more of the teaching University making a profit off of your work

More Debt Greater Workloads Stipends not keeping up with rate of inflation – many GE’s living in poverty Cuts in health care benefits Less security now and in the future More stress – little mental health support Less housing, childcare, parking, transportation and other benefits. No voice in decision making

Private universities are governed by the National Labor Relations Board. NLRB has agreed with University administrators that the graduate employees at private universities are “students” and can be recognized as employees. That case is being reviewed again.

PSU is recognized under the PA Labor Relations Board --- like Temple University. BECAUSE OF THE TEMPLE UNIVERSITY CASE, PSU graduate workers will be recognized as employees under the PLRB. This should make it easier to organize, win an election and get a contract.

To get an union election scheduled, the PLRB requires that at least 30 % of the potential members sign authorization cards indicating that they want an election and want a union to be their exclusive representative. PSEA seeks at least 60 % of the cards. For this campaign that means about 1700 authorization cards. Cards are only good for one year.

Once enough cards are collected and given to the PLRB. The employer (PSU) & PSEA have to agree upon who will be in the new union. Once both sides agree upon the potential membership – an election will be scheduled. If 50 % plus 1 of all those who vote – vote YES for PSEA – a union is certified.

After the election is won and the group is certified by the PLRB as an official union – it is time to elect officers, set up a constitution and bylaws and begin negotiations. The association sets its own dues

PSEA’s policy is in most cases is to exempt new members from paying any dues until a contract is reached – usually between one year to 18 months. PSEA is studying the dues issue now and is looking at setting up a dues structure.

Wages Benefits Union security Appointment notification Job posting Workload Intellectual property Travel & Training Parking and Transit Leaves of Absences Housing

Will participating in union activities harm my career? No. Unions are common in higher education and are organized at over forty top-tier public research universities, and hiring committees will not ask about union activities. Retaliation from advisers and supervisors in your program is illegal. The top 20 universities in the US have organized graduate employee unions.

Section 1201 of PERA prohibits your employer from interfering or coercing employees during in an organizing campaign. The employee is prohibited from threatening loss of jobs or benefits, firing employees to discourage union activity, promising or granting promotions, pay raises or other benefits to influence an employee’s vote.

Every graduate student, including international students are protected by Section 401 of the Public Employe Relations Act (PERA) that says it is lawful for public employees to organize, form, join or assist in employe organization or to engage in lawful concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining.

Retaliation is expressly prohibited by labor law. Advisers or supervisors of any sort cannot attempt to dissuade you from joining the union, and they are expressly prohibited from a.) asking how you will vote in a union election b.) asking you whether you are involved in or a member of the union.

Founded in 1852 State’s largest labor union More than 180,000 members: includes public school teachers and education support professionals, staff in state higher education institutions, nurses in health care facilities, retired educators, and college students preparing to become teachers.

1000 PSEA associations in 483 of 501 public schools districts. Represent more than 900 teachers and support staff in State College, and teachers and support staff in all of the other Centre County public schools districts.

PSEA’s main headquarters is across the street from the state Capitol in Harrisburg. PSEA has 11 regional offices around the state and 250 professional staff serving members. PSEA State College is located at 400 Shiloh Road.

Every PSEA association has a dedicated “Uniserv” Representative who works directly with the association and members on negotiations and members issues. Every PSEA association also has Regional Advocacy Coordinator to help with both internal / external communications and crisis issues.

PSEA members decide policy and the organization’s direction through a PSEA Board of Directors and PSEA House of Delegates. The Board of Directors is composed of members from throughout the state elected by their colleagues. The Board meets several times a year. The House of Delegates meets twice a year. Approximately 1,000 members elected by colleagues vote on policy issues that set the organization’s course

PSEA MISSION: To advocate for quality public education and our members through collective action. OUR VISION: To be the preeminent voice for education and the leading force for labor in Pennsylvania. OUR CORE VALUES: Being a member-driven organization Collective action based on core union principles Dignity and equity for all students and members Diversity Integrity in words, actions, and data Quality professional services by and for members

PSEA provides a wide variety of negotiated discounts including (but not limited to) discounts on existing cell phone plans, as well as insurance plans and loans. Most members save more than the cost of dues on the member benefits.

Members also receive union-provided representation for employment issues. We will also negotiate a defined grievance process that allows for multiple levels of appeal. If the University breaches the union contract, PSEA can provide legal support. Members also receive up to $1 million liability insurance policy through the NEA in the event of a lawsuit that occurs while on the job.

Please join the PSU Coalition of Graduate Employees FACEBOOK page: GET INVOLVED. JOIN THE CAMPAIGN. BE PART OF THE MOVEMENT