Seven years ago, Northeastern’s adjunct faculty won our first union contract with Northeastern University. Negotiations for that first contract took over a year, but it has since helped lift up the working conditions of all adjunct employees. We believe Northeastern graduate workers deserve the same right to fight for improved compensation, benefits, and working conditions.
Like any workers seeking to unionize, graduate employees will face challenges. We urge them to fight to win the respect and resources they deserve. Graduate workers provide essential pillars for teaching and research—their labor is a core part of what makes Northeastern function. They deserve the support necessary to work and live in one of the most expensive cities in the country.
Throughout our unionizing efforts, we fought against anti-union tactics and misinformation that sought to pit us against each other. Together, we ensured that our colleagues had what they needed to make informed decisions about their vote. Now that Northeastern graduate workers are in the midst of voting to form their own union, we see the exact same series of tactics: stonewalling, misinformation, and fear mongering. As adjuncts, we call on the administration to stand aside and allow graduate workers to unionize without interference.
When we all have a seat at the table, then Northeastern as a whole benefits. Thanks to our improved pay, benefits, working conditions, and having a voice on the job, adjuncts can better serve our students and the university at large. We are committed to supporting graduate employees as they fight for what they deserve and unionize.
SEIU Local 509 currently represents graduate employees at Brandeis and Tufts, as well as adjunct faculty and lecturers at Northeastern University.
