University of MichiganFLICKR, SNRE
University of Michigan graduate research assistants will soon learn whether they have the right to unionize. Yesterday (December 13) Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) requested a fact-finding hearing to determine whether graduate research assistants at the university are employees or students, who unlike employees, lack the right to unionize. While some life scientists worry that unionization may lead to mediocrity in research, others say collective bargaining rights are essential to ensure fair wages and protection from mistreatment.
“The main issue is that [graduate research assistants] are considered employees by the university,” said Jamie Van Etten, University of Michigan graduate student in biological chemistry. “As such, we should have the right to negotiate the terms of our employment.”
Graduate student researchers have been barred from forming ...
