Why is the GLU calling for a strike vote?
The UofR administration’s continued delays in finalizing a process for us to unionize has left us no other choice but to call for a strike authorization vote. The new Trump administration is politicizing higher education by attacking international workers, (who make up 40% of UofR grads), attempting to cut NIH funding, ending DEI programs and attacking the LGBTQ community. After finalizing a fair process to unionize with UofR at the end of 2024, we were shocked when, days before the inauguration in January, the administration stopped communicating with us. They have subsequently chosen to remain silent about the deteriorating higher education landscape, and have continued to refuse meetings with us even after large displays of support at our demonstrations. Under the new political climate, our jobs, funding, research, and higher education itself are on the line. Securing our union now is more important than ever. We encourage our coworkers to join us and sign their Strike Pledge so we can win our union.
Questions
What is a strike?
A strike is a work stoppage that workers engage in together to force the employer to act in good faith and reach fair agreements. Striking is a last-resort tactic that Graduate Student Workers would decide to use only if there is no other way forward. Additionally, we would carefully weigh the decision even then and only do so from a position of a clear majority of grads commiting to do so and broad support from faculty, students, staff and community members.
What would end a strike?
In the event of a strike, our union would continue to attempt to meet with the university for negotiations. The strike would end when the administration gives us a fair process through which to form our union – like the one outlined in our election agreement which they have been silent on.
I already signed the strike pledge. Did that not already authorize a strike?
No. The strike pledge confirms that graduate workers are prepared to vote yes in a strike authorization vote. This is a key part of the process in a strike authorization vote being called.
If I vote Yes on strike authorization, am I obligated to go on strike?
Voting “yes” on the strike authorization vote does not automatically lead to a strike, but it does represent a commitment to participate in a strike if one is called. The effectiveness of a strike will be directly proportional to our participation in it
Can I be retaliated against for going on strike?
The University of Rochester has in their own communications to graduate workers said the following in regards to retaliation “The University steadfastly prohibits any retaliation for engaging in protected strike activities.”
Workers in the United States, including graduate workers at private universities — regardless of visa status, have the legal right to strike, and both federal and state laws prohibit retaliation against workers for exercising this right. However, it’s important to acknowledge that the legal landscape for graduate workers has been shaped by shifting National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) decisions. While the current law recognizes graduate workers as employees with the right to unionize and strike, and prohibits retaliation, enforcement mechanisms, such as filing complaints with the NLRB can be uncertain, especially since the Trump administration rendered the NLRB ineffective.
Despite these complexities, collective action remains our greatest strength. History shows that when graduate workers unite in large numbers, supported by faculty, staff, students, elected officials, and community allies, institutions like ours are far less likely to risk public backlash by engaging in retaliation. Strikes across the country have demonstrated that solidarity protects individuals and amplifies our collective power. This reality underscores why building strong solidarity within our community is crucial. By standing together and organizing effectively, we not only protect each other but also send a clear message that attempts to undermine our rights will not be tolerated.
Can international graduate workers strike?
Yes! Much like in their comments about retaliation for striking, the University of Rochester has said “Yes, International Students are able to strike if they so choose.” In addition to these reassurances from the administration, you have the same rights and protections as any other graduate worker at University of Rochester. We acknowledge that fears regarding visa status are daunting, and striking against your employer might appear scary. The University has used this fear to their advantage by sidelining graduate student needs for years. Meanwhile, Trump is dismantling government funding for higher-education, and graduate students, whether international or citizens remain the most vulnerable with nothing but silence from the University administration.
This is the time to strike. Our greatest strength is in numbers. This is a union by the graduate students and for the graduate students, so if they stand against you, they stand against all of us. History shows that when graduate workers unite in large numbers, supported by faculty, staff, students, elected officials, and community allies, institutions like ours are far less likely to risk public backlash by engaging in retaliation. Strikes across the country have demonstrated that solidarity protects individuals and amplifies our collective power.
I know retaliation is illegal, but what if retaliation occurs?
Our greatest source of protection is each other. With thousands of international grad workers, spread across every department, we know that the administration cannot target one of us without targeting all of us. Together, we will stand up and fight for each and every single member. Alone, we have no power; together, the administration cannot threaten us.
Finally, of the hundreds of thousands of international students who have been involved in graduate unions, there has not been a single case of an international student being punished for supporting or organizing their union. Universities care far too much about their image to retaliate against their students for union activities.
In the incredibly unlikely chance there is retaliation, we have a plan and full legal support and resources from our parent union SEIU Local 200United.
Our plan is based on the following commitment
Our power comes from mass support! This is our commitment to keeping each other protected!
Our Commitment
We will stand together to ensure international students are not singled out.
International students are essential to this University, and are at the heart of this movement. Students who are U.S. citizens will empower their international peers by stepping up to take on public-facing roles if asked to do so (press, admin confrontation, first line in protests).
We will escalate if any international worker among us faces retaliation.
If the university targets or disciplines an international student for striking, we will respond with mass escalation (walkouts, media exposure, legal action). Retaliation WILL NOT be tolerated.
We will publicly name and shame the administration if they attempt to intimidate any one of us.
We will create safe spaces for participation.
We will ensure direct peer support from senior graduate workers and faculty support within your department
Where else have graduate workers gone on strike?
Recently more graduate workers have gone on strike than any other workforce in the United States. Some of these examples highlight the power of graduate worker strikes:
Columbia (2016): Strike for recognition and won – set’s precedent for flood of graduate workers to organize at 48 other institutions since then.
Boston University (2024): Following their strike, BU graduate workers (BUGWU) ratified their first contract, achieving victories including a 50,647 minimum stipend for Ph.D. students (up from 27,000), support for international students and the right to access one’s own course evaluations and provide comment to personnel records.
New York University (2021): Graduate student workers at NYU went on strike and secured an agreement that included 30% higher wages for hourly graduate workers, better health coverage, and protections for international and undocumented students.
University of Southern California (2023): In February 2023, following a historic strike in 2022, graduate workers secured a victory with a 93% vote in favor of their collective bargaining agreement. The contract secured wage increases ranging from 20-80%.
- More graduate workers have gone on strike recently than any other workforce. There is a long history of strike actions working in higher education and specifically for graduate workers. We are not the first grads to do so during a republican administration. At Boston University, Columbia University, Harvard University, and the University of Michigan graduate workers have gone on strike to win fair contracts after winning their union. In all of these cases, they went on strike with massive support and made substantial gains.
Generally speaking, graduate labor organizing has strongly outpaced national trends – as detailed in this article.
How are we going to get to a majority of graduate workers if this is our greatest protection?
Strikes are a big step, and the key to their success is mass support. Graduate workers build to majority support through a democratic vote that everyone participates and can weigh in on. We also build to majority support the way we have been throughout our union efforts, by talking to our coworkers,professors, department chairs, undergrads, staff, and the broader Rochester community.
How do I talk to my coworkers about the strike?
Talk to your co-workers! We would schedule ample training, so that we can learn from experienced SEIU and other higher education strikers about how strikes work and the best ways to talk about them.
If the strike authorization vote passes, are we automatically on strike?
No, a strike vote gives the Graduate Labor Union’s organizing committee the formal authority to call a strike and set a strike date if the administration does not return to negotiations and agree to a fair unionization process.
Do Strikes Work? What makes a strike effective?
We are calling for a strike because strikes work, and just like any union action, mass participation is the key to an effective strike. Over 1700 graduate workers perform critical labor for the day-to-day functioning of UofR. Strikes are collective decisions, and when workers vote to strike, just like any truly democratic organization, that decision is final. If a strike vote is passed the expectation is for all graduate workers to participate. Our strike will be proportionately powerful to our participation. This is why we are following the playbook for mass participation.
What should I say to my advisor?
You are not obligated to tell anyone about the strike, but we recommend that you talk to them, especially if you believe they would ultimately be supportive. Many faculty are already standing with us and talking about joining the strike, along with undergraduate students and staff, should one occur. We are already working with faculty in various departments to strengthen solidarity and foster deeper understanding of our efforts across campus.
If a strike authorization vote is passed, how does the union decide to call a strike?
If the administration still refuses to finalize our election agreement we will have no choice but to call a strike. The strike authorization vote will give the Graduate Labor Union Organizing Committee the power to call a strike based on a majority support.
Can I still attend class during a strike?
We would prefer that supportive faculty – call off class and agree not to cross the picket line in the event of a strike. We believe this is the best way to support striking graduate students in our fight for better treatment.
Are there risks to faculty – or departments – in the event of a strike?
The point of strikes is to be disruptive – so some interruption of normal university operations is definitely to be expected. However, we don’t expect any retaliation from faculty, and many have already committed not to retaliate in the event of a strike. Tenured professors have many forms of protection, and non-tenure track professors would not be doing anything unlawful by supporting our effort. The clearest way to avoid a strike and the associated disruptions is for the university to accede to our demands for a fair election to form our union.
How would the Organizing Committee communicate that a strike has been called?
The GLU Organizing Committee, which is a representative body of graduate student workers from across campuses, would only call a strike after a majority strike vote. This decision would be made and communicated with advance notice of at least a week over email, phone calls, texts, social media, and direct outreach.
How would the Organizing Committee communicate that a strike has been called?
The GLU Organizing Committee, which is a representative body of graduate student workers from across campuses, would only call a strike after a majority strike vote. This decision would be made and communicated with advance notice of at least a week over email, phone calls, texts, social media, and direct outreach.
Going on strike means we don’t get paid, right? What if I really need the money?
Most universities have not docked pay from striking graduate workers. We believe it would be outrageous for the UofR to do so. If this did occur, however, the union we are organizing with (SEIU Local 200United) maintains a small strike fund. We can also launch our own strike fundraiser and work with the area labor federation to raise additional funds to help members cover members’ bills.
Often, other unions and community groups donate money, food, coffee, and other supplies when a union is on strike, both for the picket and for workers to take home. The support we have seen at strikes has been incredible!
Do we want to strike?
If we strike, it is because the University of Rochester administration has left us no other choice by not honoring their word and agreeing to a fair process for us to unionize. Going on strike is not a personal decision; it’s a collective and democratic one. Part of going on strike also means organizing to help support one another’s needs (financial or otherwise) during the strike to make it easier on everyone.