If you have questions about unionization, please consider contacting the Graduate Labor Organization (GLO) or the Graduate School.
You can view a copy of the final union contract below:
- Collective Bargaining Agreement between Brown University and Stand Up for Graduate Student Employees AFT, AFL-CIO (Updated June 16th, 2020)
To view your status in the Bargaining Unit:
- Log into Banner, navigate to the Student tab, and select Graduate Student Appointment Details for per-semester letters.
History
Graduate Student Labor Unions have been present at American universities going back to the 1960s, and have been an established part of many public universities for decades. In August 2016, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) reversed a previous decision and ruled that certain graduate students at private universities are employees with the right to unionize as well.
In November 2018, the American Arbitration Association (AAA) managed a unionization election at Brown, and by a majority count of 576 to 394, eligible graduate students voted to unionize. In June 2020, a Tentative Agreement was reached between Brown and the union, and the contract was ratified with a 95% yes vote (446 to 25), taking effect on July 1st and lasting for 3 years.
The Graduate Student Council (GSC) is a distinct entity from the Graduate Labor Organization (GLO). The Graduate Student Council is a neutral body, representing all graduate students. We did not endorse a stance either in favor or opposed to a graduate student union, and our goal is simply to ensure our constituents are informed about this important issue. During the 2016-2017 academic year, we created an FAQ document detailing relevant information at the time. Brown University also maintains a webpage with updates and an FAQ.