I am writing to provide an update on the graduate assistant union election. During a two-day election process, 764 eligible graduate students cast their votes with 728 voting to unionize.

As a result, 1,124 current graduate students will be represented by Syracuse Graduate Employees United (SGEU) and Service Employees International Union Local 200United (SEIU).

The bargaining unit of qualifying graduate students includes:

• All University Ph.D. students who are: (i) matriculated in a doctoral degree program in the College of Arts and Sciences, Whitman School of Management, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, School of Education, Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, School of Information Studies, or College of Engineering and Computer Science; (ii) awarded a stipend and a condition of receiving the stipend is the performance of research, instructional or other specialty services that are related to the student’s academic program as duly appointed teaching assistants (TA), research assistants (RA) or graduate administrative assistants through the Graduate School.
• All University master’s students who are: (i) matriculated in a master’s degree program in the College of Arts and Sciences, Whitman School of Management, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, College of Visual and Performing Arts, School of Education, School of Architecture, Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, School of Information Studies, or College of Engineering and Computer Science; (ii) awarded a stipend and a condition of receiving the stipend is the performance of that in certain semesters these master’s students will provide research, instructional or other specialty services that are related to the student’s academic program as duly appointed TAs, RAs or graduate administrative assistants through the Graduate School.

Now that the election is complete, University and Union representatives will meet to discuss a possible schedule for negotiating a collective bargaining agreement, otherwise known as a “union contract.” This is an important process for all parties and we will negotiate in the spirit of partnership and respect that have been the hallmarks of our labor-management relationships to date. In the meantime, we remain committed to ensuring a positive, rewarding and successful experience for all our graduate students.

Finally, I want to thank our graduate students, union representatives and all members of our community for engaging in a constructive and respectful union election.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Ritter
Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer

I am writing today as a follow-up to the message you received last week regarding the election agreement made between the University, Syracuse Graduate Employees United (SGEU) and Service Employees International Union Local 200United (SEIU) governing the SGEU union campaign and election. As the process moves forward, there will be much discussion, dialogue and debate about the merits of a union. I ask that our University community remain open to all viewpoints and treat others with grace and respect throughout.

The University will not take a formal position. What we will do is encourage our graduate students to give this careful consideration and make an informed decision. Talk with peers and mentors. Explore the advantages and disadvantages, opportunities and challenges, of unionizing. Participate in the election process to ensure each voice is reflected in this decision. The outcome of the election will be decided by a majority of those voting and will be binding for graduate students, which means each vote is critical to reflecting true consensus.

To assist our community members seeking information on unions, we have . Graduate students interested in learning more about SGEU should contact organizers directly.

Syracuse University currently has a collaborative relationship with four unions, including SEIU, that represent approximately 1,400 University employees. Should our graduate students make the collective decision to unionize, we will engage their union in the same collaborative, transparent and fair manner as we do with our existing union partners.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Ritter
Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer

Over the last several weeks, Syracuse Graduate Employees United (SGEU), the Service Employees International Union Local 200United (SEIU) and Syracuse University engaged in productive conversations about the graduate student unionization efforts. As a result of that dialogue, we reached  that will guide a graduate student union campaign and election. Together, we want to provide you an overview of what the campus community can expect as this process gets underway.

Guiding Principles

First and foremost, the University and SGEU are committed to ensuring an inclusive, respectful and equitable process. Together, we will work to create an environment where the opinions, voices and ideas of all graduate students are given consideration on this important matter. As part of this joint agreement:

• Neither party will conduct itself or communicate in a negative, derogatory or demeaning way about the other party, about labor unions or employers generally.
• Neither party will engage in such conduct as threats, misrepresentations or delaying tactics.
• Neither party will provide support or assistance of any kind to any person or group which is opposed to the principles of this agreement.
• Neither party will commit any unfair labor practice.

We believe this agreement provides a fair and expeditious process to determine whether a majority of eligible graduate students wishes to unionize and select SEIU as its exclusive bargaining representative. The agreement also defines who would be eligible to vote in a union election.

Community Resources

As this effort proceeds, we will collectively provide updates and pertinent information, including guidelines for administrators, faculty, students and SGEU to help maintain fairness throughout this process. We will also share information about election procedures, voter eligibility guidelines and dispute resolution processes. In addition, a Union-Management Committee, made up of representatives from both Syracuse University and SGEU, will be formed as a resource to answer inquiries and address concerns from community members.

We will continue to update the campus community as appropriate.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Ritter
Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer

Scott R. Phillipson, Esq.
President, SEIU Local 200United