Graduate workers filed with National Labor Relations Board yesterday, and are calling on Boston University to voluntarily recognize their union
Boston, MA – Today, Boston City Council unanimously voted to pass a resolution in support of Boston University graduate workers’ unionizing efforts. The resolution, introduced by Councilor Kenzie Bok, comes on the heels of graduate workers filing for their union election with the National Labor Relations Board. The resolution was originally co-sponsored by Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune and Councilor Liz Breadon.
“Graduate student workers are workers, and they make big universities like BU run,” said Councilor Kenzie Bok, who is a former graduate worker. “As the Councilor who represents most of Boston University’s campus, I’m calling on them to voluntarily recognize the grad workers union — and I’m so proud to be joined today by the unanimous support of the Boston City Council.”
The campaign has also garnered the support of elected officials such as Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley – a Boston University graduate – who met with workers yesterday evening after they filed with the NLRB.
“Your labor matters,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “I am here not only because I value your labor, but because I value your lives.”
In order to file with the NLRB, at least 30% of workers must sign cards in support of a union. In just seven weeks, graduate workers have had hundreds of conversations with their co-workers and built strong support across departments. Yesterday, they filed with a majority of cards in their unit signed. Regardless of filing, Boston University still has the opportunity to voluntarily recognize their union.
“Graduate workers are an integral part of providing a high-quality learning environment at BU,” says Israel Pierre, Treasurer of SEIU 509. “As an institution with billions of dollars in endowment, BU has the resources – and the responsibility – to create equitable conditions for workers on campus. We call on the BU administration to do the right thing and voluntarily recognize the graduate workers’ union.”
“Yesterday’s filing with the NLRB is a testament to the power we have built across campus,” says Alex Lion, a graduate worker in the Biology department. “We are thrilled to have officially filed for our union, but BU still has the opportunity to voluntarily recognize our union and create a pathway toward bargaining. This is an invitation for the university to live up to its values and provide high-quality learning and working conditions for everyone on campus.”
Graduate workers have identified some key issues in the workplace. Workers will fight for:
- Living wages
- Workload protections
- Improvements to health care coverage and costs
- Support for international students
- Better housing and living conditions
