About the Campaign
Learn about the history of the UIUC Graduate Research Assistants’ unionization efforts, what unionization looks like for RAs, and why now is the time for us to come together and stand up for our rights in the workplace!
WHAT DOES UNIONIZATION MEAN?
- A labor union is an organization of workers who collaborate to protect their rights and tackle problems in their workplace.
- Once the union is authorized by a state or federal labor board, the employer must bargain with workers to reach a contract
- The contract can set standards for salaries and raise schedules, working hours, occupational safety, professional development opportunities, and more
HOW WILL RAS AT UIUC UNIONIZE?
- At least 30% of RAs must sign union authorization cards.
- Once enough RAs have signed, the Labor Board will hold a union election.
- If a majority of RAs vote yes in the election, the union will be certified as the bargaining representative of RAs!
WHY IS NOW THE TIME FOR UNIONIZATION?
- Back in 2002, the University Administration sued to prevent RAs from joining a union!
- In 2019, a new Illinois law removed this restriction.
- In the last few years RAs at the University of California system, MIT, University of Iowa, University of New Hampshire, UIC, and many more universities have unionized and won historic gains