Dear students,
As you know, on October 2, Vanderbilt Graduate Workers United – International Union United Auto Workers (UAW) filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) requesting a vote on whether Vanderbilt students should form a union and be represented in collective bargaining by the UAW. The petition kicked off a process overseen by the NLRB. While we cannot predict the outcomes of this process, we want to provide you with information about what happens next:
Determining who should vote and when: The NLRB scheduled a hearing to begin on October 21, 2024. On October 15, two students filed a motion to intervene and to postpone the NLRB proceedings to permit time for student objections to be considered. To date, 62 students have objected to their private information being shared with the NLRB. Vanderbilt also filed a motion to postpone in support of students’ efforts to protect their privacy interests. This may affect the hearing date and subsequent actions.
- During the hearing, Vanderbilt will present its position that our graduate students are students first and do not meet the definition of “employee” under the National Labor Relations Act (Act).
- After the hearing, the NLRB will decide whether our students may unionize and may decide that certain categories of students can unionize, while others cannot.
The Election: If the NLRB decides that any of our students can unionize, we expect the NLRB will schedule an election a few weeks after that decision.
- Students who the NLRB determines could unionize would be eligible to vote in that election on whether to unionize.
- Whether or not you signed a union authorization card, it is important that you use your voice to vote on this important issue. The union would prevail if it receives a majority (more than 50%) of votes cast.
After the Election: If elected, the union would represent not only current Vanderbilt students in the bargaining unit, including those who voted “no,” but also future students who did not participate in the vote to unionize.
On the Union Facts website, you’ll find more detail about where we are in the process, and what happens next.
The NLRB process will determine whether Vanderbilt graduate students can unionize. The more important question is whether they should. Throughout this process, university leadership will explain why Vanderbilt believes it can best meet the varying individual needs of our graduate students by continuing to work directly together. Wedging a third party into the relationship upends The Vanderbilt Way, built on shared purpose and partnership, with no guarantee that the specific needs of Vanderbilt graduate students will take precedence over the broader agenda of a national union that also represents auto workers.
Depending upon the NLRB’s decision, you may soon have an important decision to make about whether you want to be represented in collective bargaining by the United Auto Workers. Please know that Vanderbilt will provide you with updated information about the legal proceedings and information about unionization and the UAW in particular as you make this important decision.
In the meantime, we urge you visit vu.edu/gradstudentunionfacts to learn more about the facts of unionization.
C. Cybele Raver
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
C. André Christie-Mizell
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate School
