Graduate Employee Unions in the United States
GAU is part of a large and diverse network of labor unions representing graduate employees. Founded just three years after the first graduate employee union was recognized in 1969, GAU continues our duty to represent our student-employees. Today, there are more than fifty graduate employee unions across the nation. Together, we build solidarity for our members–graduate students working as research and teaching assistants–as we face cuts to higher education and seek quality and affordable health care, academic freedom, and fair arbitration procedures.
In addition to exploring graduate employee unions, we recommend also looking at the various Collective Bargaining Agreements that they have negotiated with their respective colleges and universities. These contracts often contain clauses on working conditions, benefits, and pay and salary schedules. Most unionized campuses have CBAs available to the general public and we have compiled a collection (.zip).
In addition to exploring graduate employee unions, we recommend also looking at the various Collective Bargaining Agreements that they have negotiated with their respective colleges and universities. These contracts often contain clauses on working conditions, benefits, and pay and salary schedules. Most unionized campuses have CBAs available to the general public and we have compiled a collection (.zip).
We have more information available, but please bear with us as we remove personal information and update executive boards of various unions for the 2019-20 year. Information updated July 2019.