VermontBiz Graduate student workers at the University of Vermont (UVM) will hold a rally on campus, Friday 3/22 to celebrate their union election next week.
Graduate Students United (GSU-UAW 2322) filed for a union election on October 30, 2023. After multiple days of hearings with the Vermont Labor Relations Board (VLRB), GSU won their bargaining unit and is moving forward with an election. In celebration of these next steps, GSU will hold a rally of union members and supporters outside of the Howe Library on Friday, March 22, 2024.
UVM administrators have fought the union at both the VLRB and in their communications with students. Graduate students remain confident in their union and anticipate a win next week with a high voter turnout.
“Graduate students at UVM have been engaged in labor organizing since before the pandemic. We turned to unionization after years of failed attempts to convince the UVM administration to invest in our wellbeing. While UVM has failed to invest in us, we have proven our ability to invest in ourselves through years of dedicated, democratic labor organizing. The election next week represents a culmination of that investment and the beginning of a better life for graduate students at UVM” — Baxter Worthing, UVM Graduate Student.
“This is a pivotal moment in UVMs history. Having a graduate student union at UVM is critical for ensuring that our labor for the university is recognized and fairly compensated. In our election next week we are being granted the opportunity to claim the power and respect that we deserve. I’m personally looking forward to seeing my community turn out and vote for a union that will empower graduate students for years to come.” — Bailey Kretzler, UVM Graduate Student (636) 866-6688
“Having a union means that for the first time we will be full participants in determining our own working conditions. I strongly believe this will make for a healthier, stronger UVM.” — Neil Traft, UVM Graduate Student.
