Penn State Graduate Students Secure Historic Union Vote, Face University Challenge
In a landmark decision last October, graduate students at Pennsylvania State University delivered a powerful and decisive message through democratic participation. During a comprehensive campus-wide election, an overwhelming majority of nearly 90% of participating voters endorsed the formation of a union, marking a significant turning point after years of persistent organizing efforts by the student community.
For numerous students who diligently balance teaching duties, research commitments, and rigorous academic responsibilities, this electoral outcome felt like a long-overdue recognition of their indispensable role in maintaining the university's daily operations and academic excellence. The newly established union, which will be represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW), is designed to encompass graduate assistants across various roles, most notably including teaching assistants and research assistants.
University Appeals Over Research Assistant Inclusion in Bargaining Unit
However, just weeks after the election results were officially certified, Penn State administration moved to challenge a crucial aspect of this hard-won victory. The university has formally filed an appeal with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB), specifically objecting to the inclusion of research assistants within the proposed bargaining unit. Notably, Penn State has clarified that teaching assistants and administrative support assistants are not part of this current dispute.
In an official statement published on its dedicated "grad facts" website and shared with Centre Daily Times, Penn State elaborated on its position regarding research assistants. The university contends that the RA role is fundamentally distinct from other graduate assistant positions because research constitutes an integral component of their academic training and degree requirements, guided by personalized faculty mentorship and specific scholarly expectations.
According to the university's perspective, activities such as designing research projects, developing methodologies, collaborating with academic teams, and building intellectual independence are central to earning advanced degrees. This perspective leads administrators to argue that the research assistant role is qualitatively different from other assistantships that might be more clearly classified as employment.
Simultaneously, Penn State has indicated its intention to proceed with negotiations covering teaching assistants and administrative support assistants while the appeal process unfolds. The university stated, "As the University community waits for the PLRB to review the matter and issue a decision, activities will continue as usual, and Penn State will remain committed to providing a supportive environment for every graduate assistant."
Graduate Organizers Push Back Against University Appeal
For graduate student organizers, such reassurances from the administration ring hollow and insufficient. In a December 12 newsletter, the Coalition of Graduate Employees at Penn State characterized the university's appeal as "deeply disappointing" and argued that it fundamentally undermines the collective will expressed through the democratic ballot process.
The newsletter emphasized, "We all know that RAs are workers who are essential to the research operations of Penn State. Tens of thousands of graduate student research assistants at dozens of other universities across the country have formed unions and successfully negotiated contracts that have made significant improvements to working conditions."
In response to the university's challenge, the graduate student coalition launched a petition urging Penn State to withdraw its appeal. Organizers have simultaneously outlined ten key priorities for upcoming negotiations, including:
- Fair and equitable compensation structures
- Comprehensive healthcare coverage
- Robust protection from harassment and discrimination
- Specialized support for international and parenting graduate assistants
- Guaranteed paid leave provisions
- Strong union representation mechanisms
- Accessible and transparent grievance processes
- Safer and more productive workplace environments
Years of Organizing and Broader Union Momentum Across Campus
This historic election represents the culmination of years of dedicated organizing efforts by graduate students. Approximately 5,000 graduate students were eligible to participate in the vote, following an unsuccessful unionization attempt during the 2017-2018 academic year. This time, the margin of victory proved overwhelmingly decisive and conclusive.
The union momentum at Penn State extends well beyond graduate workers alone. In December, the Penn State Faculty Alliance filed a formal petition to hold a union election for faculty members, signaling growing interest in collective representation across multiple segments of the university community.
The Road Ahead for Graduate Student Workers
As the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board carefully weighs Penn State's appeal, the university campus finds itself at a critical crossroads. For administrators, the central question revolves around how graduate research should be classified within the framework of academic training and professional development.
For graduate students, particularly research assistants, the issue is more straightforward: whether those who power much of the university's scholarly output and research productivity will be formally recognized as workers with a legitimate seat at the bargaining table.
Regardless of the board's eventual decision, one reality has already become abundantly clear. Penn State's graduate students have discovered their collective voice through democratic processes—and they appear determined to utilize this newfound power to advocate for their rights and improve their working conditions across the university landscape.
