Why are we unionizing now?
Our decision to form a union was inspired by the wave of labor organizing in higher education (and beyond!) that we’ve witnessed over the last several years. Huge wins by graduate students, adjunct instructors, and staff have encouraged us to fight for better working conditions at our own institution and in higher education more broadly. These organizing campaigns have convinced many of us of the power we have to make higher education more sustainable and more just when we come together.
Along the way, we have been particularly motivated by neighboring graduate student unions at Georgetown University, American University, and Johns Hopkins University. Their gains raise our expectations of what we deserve, and what we can win, as graduate workers.
Examples from regional peer universities
Georgetown University
The most recent contract negotiated by Georgetown Alliance of Graduate Employees (GAGE) raised their baseline 9-month PhD stipend to $39,100 for 2024-2025, with annual increases thereafter ($40,050 for 2025-2026; $41,024 for 2026-2027; $42,022 for 2027-2028). Their contract also secured a $22/hour rate for hourly workers, improved protections for undocumented workers, increased parental leave, and more.
American Univeristy
American University Graduate Student Workers Union’s contract sets the minimum PhD hourly rate at $22/hour for hourly workers, ensures that workers will be provided with guidelines and expectations for work placement, requires departments to consider worker preferences when making work assignments, guarantees that available jobs will be posted on the university website, and establishes a professional development fund $20,000 to increase funding provided by an eligible worker’s department.
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University’s Teachers and Researchers United (TRU)’s new contract raised stipends annually to $47,000 for 2024-2025, with increases thereafter ($50,000 for 2025-2026; $52,000 for 2026-2027). It also guarantees sick leave, parental leave, and the cost of health insurance premiums for dependent children.
What are our priorities?
Our priorities are driven by the needs and concerns of our members. So far, some of our priorities are a living wage for all of our members with an annual cost of living adjustment, comprehensive healthcare coverage, transportation subsidy, standardized work assignments and protections, paid leave, office space and access to necessary facilities, and increased campus protections for international students.
Beyond these changes to our working conditions, we are also eager to use our power as graduate students to effect change within the university, including by pushing for community-based justice & safety.