Union
An organized group of workers formed to protect and advance their rights and interests. For example, unions help ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, and protection from unjust dismissal by negotiating collective agreements with employers.
Graduate Labor Union
A union specifically formed to represent graduate student workers, such as teaching assistants and research assistants. This type of union advocates for fair wages, better working conditions, and other benefits for graduate student employees.
Rank-and-File Union
A union that is operated and led by its members, rather than by paid professional staff. This ensures that decisions are made directly by the workers, keeping the focus on their collective needs and interests.
Grievances
Formal complaints filed by workers when their rights or contract terms are violated. Common grievances include issues like unfair working hours, denial of agreed-upon benefits, or unsafe working conditions.
Weingarten Rights (Right to Representation)
The right of an employee to have union representation during meetings that could lead to disciplinary action. This includes investigatory meetings where disciplinary outcomes are possible, ensuring workers have support and representation throughout the process.
Union Steward
A worker who represents and supports coworkers when meeting with management to address workplace concerns. Union stewards play a key role in enforcing contract rights, helping coworkers file grievances, and providing representation during disputes or disciplinary meetings.
Dues
Regular payments made by members to support union activities, including funding negotiations, organizing events, and maintaining a strike fund for workers during strikes or other actions.
Dues-Paying Members
Members who pay dues to support union activities. They can vote on contracts, policies, and governance, bring proposals, and run for union committees or steward roles.
Right to Work
Laws that allow employees to opt out of union membership and dues while still benefiting from union-negotiated contracts. These laws can weaken unions by reducing their funding and bargaining power, often resulting in lower wages and fewer protections for workers.
Collective Bargaining
The negotiation process between the union and the employer to establish wages, benefits, and working conditions for employees. This process ensures that worker needs are addressed collectively, leading to legally binding agreements.
Labor Contract
A legally binding agreement between the union and employer that sets wages, hours, benefits, and working conditions.
Bargaining Unit
A group of workers who share similar job duties or work environments and are represented together by the union. For example, graduate teaching assistants and research assistants are often part of the same bargaining unit, allowing them to negotiate collectively for better pay and working conditions.
Recertification
A process where bargaining unit members vote to confirm the union’s representation. In Iowa, these elections happen every two years, requiring over 50% of all members to vote “YES” to keep the union. Non-votes are counted as “NO” votes, making it challenging for unions to maintain certification and diverting resources from important activities like contract negotiations.
UE, UAW, and Other National Unions
National unions, such as the United Electrical Workers (UE) and United Auto Workers (UAW), represent workers across many industries. They provide support, resources, and advocacy to local unions, including graduate labor unions, helping them address worker needs and strengthen their bargaining power.
UE Local, UAW Local, etc.
A regional branch of the UE, UAW, or another union that represents workers in a specific area or workplace.
Blitz
An intense, short-term effort where union members and volunteers work quickly to achieve a specific goal. This often includes visiting workplaces, distributing materials, or having conversations with workers. For example, a blitz might aim to recruit new members by reaching as many graduate workers as possible in a short time.
Phonebanking
A method unions use to reach members or potential members by making a group of organized phone calls. Phonebanking helps to share important updates, answer questions, and build solidarity. For example, union members might phonebank during a recertification campaign to remind members to vote, explain its importance, and address any concerns about the process.
Solidarity
Workers supporting each other to achieve shared goals. Examples include attending rallies or standing with coworkers during a strike.
Strike
When workers stop working to protest issues like low wages, unsafe working conditions, or unfair treatment. Strikes can be financially difficult for workers, but they are often successful in pushing employers to meet demands, causing delays and financial losses for the employer.
Picketing
Protesting outside the workplace to draw attention to a labor dispute or encourage others not to enter. Picketing is a common way for workers to show solidarity during strikes or other disputes and is legally protected in most cases.
Work-to-Rule
A form of protest where workers do only the minimum required by their job descriptions, following all rules precisely to slow down productivity. This can demonstrate the value of workers’ efforts without breaking any laws or contracts.
Sickout
A form of protest where workers all call in sick at the same time to disrupt work. This is used instead of a strike to highlight issues like unfair pay or poor conditions while staying within legal boundaries.
Union Busting
Actions taken by employers to prevent workers from forming or joining a union. This can include tactics like intimidation, threats, or misinformation to discourage workers from supporting the union.
Scab
A term used for a worker who continues to work or is hired to replace workers who are on strike. This term often has a negative connotation because it refers to someone undermining collective worker actions.
Board of Regents (or Trustees)
A group that oversees university policies and administration. A graduate labor union typically negotiates directly with the Board of Regents, not the university administration, on wages and working conditions. Other universities may call this body “Trustees” or use other names.