This spring, a significant movement unfolded at the University of Rochester as a group of Ph.D. student workers, united under the Graduate Labor Union, initiated a strike. Their primary demand was for the university to conduct a private unionization election, allowing them to vote for union recognition without the involvement of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which has been perceived as less favorable to unions since the previous administration.
However, following a protest during the commencement ceremony on May 16, the organizing committee decided to pause the strike. With the fall semester approaching, the leaders of the movement have indicated that they do not plan to resume the strike at this time.
“Our goal was to secure a fair election process, which we did not achieve,” expressed Katie Gregory, a seventh-year Ph.D. student in environmental sciences. Despite this setback, she emphasized that the struggle for union support is far from over.
George Elkind, a fourth-year Ph.D. student in visual and cultural studies, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We are committed to advocating for a fair election process.”
The strike was not only a continuation of the heightened union activity among graduate students during the recent administration but also a reflection of the concerns surrounding the current political climate, which many believe could hinder unionization efforts. Reports indicate that approximately 38% of graduate student workers are currently unionized, highlighting a growing trend in labor organization.
Last year, discussions between university officials and GLU organizers had shown promise for a private election, which both parties seemed to support. However, the political landscape shifted dramatically with the change in administration, leading to a withdrawal of support for a private election from the university.
In February, a university attorney informed student organizers that the institution was no longer interested in pursuing a private election, citing various reasons. Instead, they suggested that the students could seek an election through the NLRB, a move that many viewed as risky for their unionization efforts.
Should the NLRB, now influenced by the current administration, decide to overturn the precedent set by Columbia University in 2016, it could severely limit the ability of graduate workers at private institutions to unionize. This would leave them with no option but to seek voluntary recognition from their universities.
Despite their efforts, the GLU has not succeeded in persuading the University of Rochester to reconsider a private union vote. Both Gregory and Elkind noted that the outcome might have been different had a larger number of Ph.D. workers participated in the strike.
Elkind pointed out that the union aimed to represent over 1,400 students, but only about 300 participated in the strike. He suggested that a more substantial turnout could have significantly impacted the university’s response.
Both students acknowledged that the current political climate, particularly the administration’s stance on international students, has created a chilling effect on participation in labor actions. Elkind highlighted that nearly half of the graduate student population at the university consists of international students, making the environment particularly daunting.
Additionally, the university’s introduction of “attestation” forms, which required workers to report their hours, raised concerns about potential repercussions for strikers. Although the university later clarified that these forms were never implemented, the mere suggestion of such measures was perceived as an intimidation tactic.
“It felt like a direct attack on our ability to strike,” Gregory remarked. The university’s representatives also failed to recognize the union as a legitimate entity, treating organizing committee members as regular students instead.
In their communication on May 18, announcing the strike’s suspension, GLU members noted the approaching end of the semester and the financial constraints faced by many graduate students during the summer months.
Despite the pause in striking, both Elkind and Gregory affirmed their commitment to ongoing organizing efforts. The university recently announced new minimum stipend levels for full-time Ph.D. students, which some believe is an attempt to quell labor unrest.
In response, a university spokesperson stated that the stipend adjustments were part of a long-term plan to enhance graduate programs and were not influenced by the recent organizing activities. They also emphasized the university’s commitment to providing support for full-time Ph.D. students, including health benefits and counseling services.
As the situation continues to evolve, the future of graduate student unionization at the University of Rochester remains uncertain, but the determination of the Graduate Labor Union to advocate for their rights is clear.