What does it mean to be represented by a union?

If a union becomes your exclusive representative, the terms and conditions of your employment will be subject to collective bargaining. You would not be able to negotiate with your supervisors/principal investigators on wages, hours or working conditions, except as provided by the labor agreement. The university and the union must negotiate all future changes in wages, hours and other conditions of employment.

Why is the United Auto Workers (UAW) or another union approaching me about unionization now?

On Oct. 15, 2017, Gov. Brown signed into law an amendment to the Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act (HEERA) expanding the definition of “employee” to include all student employees at the University of California, even when their work is an integral part of their educational objectives. This amendment goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2018. Previously, Graduate Student Researchers were determined to be fundamentally students and not “employees” as defined by the state laws governing unionization at UC. Now, student employees at UC, including GSRs, are eligible to become exclusively represented by a union.

What is the next step in the union representation process? Will I get to vote?

Unionization may result from union cards signed by employees or by a secret election ballot. A union must show that a majority of GSRs want to be represented by a union. GSRs may be asked to sign an authorization card/petition. Signing the authorization card/petition is your way to show that you want to be exclusively represented by the union. Your signature on a card or petition may constitute your vote. The choice is yours.

What does signing an authorization card or petition mean?

It means you want the union to become your exclusive representative for purposes of negotiating with UC regarding your wages and other terms of employment. UC supports employees’ rights to determine whether they think unionization is beneficial. UC believes this choice should be well informed.

How many GSRs are needed to determine unionization?

A simple majority of employees (50 percent plus one vote) of the target group decides if the whole group will be part of a union.

What happens when a union becomes my exclusive representative?

The union will bargain for wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment in the represented bargaining unit. As an exclusive representative, a union has the right to represent members of the bargaining unit throughout the grievance process.