Why unionize?

A labor union is a democratic organization made up of workers who fight collectively for better working conditions. A union allows graduate students to come together and ensure that Dartmouth provides us with a safe and equitable space to work and learn. Only together can we exert our collective leverage to force Dartmouth to provide us with the working and living conditions we deserve.

What is a contract? How do we negotiate one?

A contract is a legally binding agreement between an employer and their employees that dictates the terms of the employment. The details of the contract are negotiated between the employer and the employees via collective bargaining, which means we as employees vote democratically on what goes in the contract. The contract outlines and ensures our protections and benefits, and legally obligates Dartmouth to uphold these. 

Have other graduate student unions been successful? What have they gained?

Yes! There are over 40 graduate student-worker unions across the country. These campaigns have been overwhelmingly successful in both the election and negotiation processes.

Through contract negotiation and collective action, graduate student-worker unions have won significant benefits, protections, and improvements to quality of life. Some specific victories include:

• Harvard's union won across-the-board stipend increases, guaranteed protections against retaliation for reporting harassment or discrimination, pay raises for professional-school TAs, paid time off for international students to handle visa or immigration issues, and more.

• The University of Connecticut's union won guaranteed pay raises every year, the elimination of coinsurance from their health benefits, a dedicated child care stipend, neutral arbitration for dispute resolution, and more. 

• Georgetown's union won >10% stipend increases and guaranteed further raises each year, a new dental insurance plan paid entirely by the university, reduced out-of-pocket maximums in their health benefits, and more.

What is a graduate student union?

A community of graduate student-workers organized to fight for improved work conditions and quality of life. The union is democratically organized, meaning that we collectively negotiate for better employment conditions.

What gains are we fighting for?

Our four main aims are for 

• a guaranteed living wage 

• comprehensive benefits -- better health coverage, dental and vision coverage, coverage for dependants, etc.

• safety, equity, and accountability in the workplace -- protection from harassment and abuse

• equality and support for international students -- better tax and relocation support

We, as the union, decide what we fight for based on the collective's needs, so we can always add aims to our list of priorities. 

More broadly, we are fighting for the ability to bargain, rather than beg, for better working and living conditions. Through a union, we gain a legally recognized seat at the table and a formal channel through which to make our voices heard. Without a contract won by a union, Dartmouth has no formal responsibility to meet our needs and carry out its promises. A union changes this.

Are graduate students allowed to unionize?

YES! As of 2016, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ruled that graduate students are workers and therefore have all the protections of federal labor law, including the right to collectively bargain and the right to be free from harassment and retaliation when doing so.

Are international students allowed to unionize?

YES! International students are provided all the same labor rights and protections as U.S. citizens, including the right to collectively bargain.

Why are we affiliated with a national union?

In July 2022, GOLD members voted to become a local chapter of the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America (UE). Affiliation means that UE provides us with resources and support throughout our campaign in support of the broader mission of organized labor to provide power to the workers. GOLD decision-making is autonomous: we, the graduate students at Dartmouth, make our own decisions as a democratic organization, not mandated by UE or any other group.

What is the relationship between GOLD and the Graduate Student Council (GSC)?

GOLD and the GSC are independent but mutually supportive, complementary organizations. Many GSC members are supportive of our organizing efforts, and many GOLD organizers have served on the GSC in the past. In November 2022, the GSC voted to issue a statement of support for GOLD. We view the GSC as a key institution to advocate for graduate students to Dartmouth administration. The GSC, however, is not allowed to collectively bargain because they are not a recognized union, so their requests are often ignored by the administration. GOLD plays a critical role by using our collective leverage to force Dartmouth to improve the work and living conditions of its graduate students.

Will I have to pay dues to the union? If so, where does the money go?

Only once a contract is signed. The exact dues structure of our union will be agreed upon as part of the contract, but dues are generally less than 2% of the stipend. We're committed to winning a stipend increase that far exceeds this amount, so no student will be making less money with a union contract than they were before.

Dues are split between the local chapter, GOLD, and the national union, UE, to help support local organizing and advance the work of the broader organized labor movement.

How does the bargaining process work?

Bargaining will take place during negotiation sessions. Members of the bargaining committee will represent GOLD membership at meetings with representatives from the College. 

Before these meetings begin, members of GOLD must work together to draft initial contract proposals on multiple subjects regarding our working conditions (e.g., stipend, benefits, workplace safety, grievance proceedings, and international student support). 

Once the contract proposals have been drafted, the committee will bring them to the bargaining table. A cycle of proposals and counteroffers from the College will proceed until a tentative agreement is reached. A contract cannot be ratified until the members of GOLD have voted to accept it.

What is the bargaining committee? Who is on it?

The bargaining committee is an elected group of fellow graduate student-workers who represent the general body of GOLD during contract negotiations with Dartmouth. To ensure that the committee faithfully represents the rank-and-file and that all voices are heard, the bargaining committee will be made up of a diverse set of representatives from programs and departments across Dartmouth. The bargaining committee will be elected by the general body of GOLD each year prior to contract negotiation.

How is the bargaining committee preparing for negotiation sessions?

Currently, we are conducting bargaining research using a comprehensive Bargaining Survey and generating our initial demands by hosting issue-based brainstorming sessions that we're terming, 'salons.'