Emory University Ph.D. students will cast their final votes today to decide whether or not to form a majority union, with polls closing at 7 p.m. Voting began yesterday after seven years of advocacy by EmoryUnite!, a student-led union based out of Laney Graduate School.
Students can expect to learn the election results by mid-November. If at least 50% of voters choose to unionize, EmoryUnite! will officially be recognized as a majority union under the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
“The biggest and most official next step that will take place if we are to win this election is the start of contract negotiations, which will basically be most likely a lengthy process where we come to the table with our demands and we negotiate with Emory,” said Nadia Raytselis (27G), a co-chair of EmoryUnite!.
David Meer (27G), who is also one of the co-chairs for EmoryUnite!, said students have to show up to a specific voting location based on their department. They then confirm their identity and vote on a ballot.
EmoryUnite! collected student signatures in favor of a union election last semester. After receiving signatures from over half of the Ph.D. students — far more than the 30% necessary to qualify for an election — EmoryUnite! officially filed a petition for an election with the NLRB in August. The student group then collaborated with the NLRB and Emory’s administration to decide a date for the election.
The student union is largely focused on securing an increased stipend, as graduate worker stipends have historically fallen below Atlanta’s living wage. Organizers also hope to fight for better facilitation between students and faculty members when complaints arise and better healthcare, according to Meer.
If students elect to unionize, Meer said the group would look into asking for a contract that standardizes teaching across departments. Meer, who is in the physics department, said he has to teach three semesters, while other departments’ requirements range from teaching for one semester to every semester.
“So we can say, ‘OK, Emory, we need this on our contract, are you going to give it to us?’” Meer said. “That’s when the back and forth comes in, of … how much money do we want versus what other benefits do we want.”
A sign designates a polling location for the Ph.D. student unionization election. (Jack Rutherford/ Staff Photographer)
Ph.D. students who are away from campus to do instructional or research services for Emory outside of metro Atlanta can vote by mail. Students who are out of town for other reasons, such as visiting family or attending a conference, are not eligible to vote.
“For the people who aren’t on campus at the moment, who don’t live in Atlanta, they receive mail-in ballots,” Meer said. “Those will need to get back to the NLRB by Nov. 8, at which point things are counted. And that counting happens on Nov. 9, and that’s when we hear about whether we’ve won or not.”
In an email to the Wheel on October 18, Assistant Vice President of University Communications Laura Diamond encouraged every eligible Ph.D. student to vote in the election.
Meer explained that some students — particularly international students — are afraid of “retaliation” from the University, although the NLRB prevents institutions from discriminating against students who are in a union. EmoryUnite! co-Chair M Wu (27G) explained that the group’s organizers took measures to ensure that students could vote without fear of their vote being exposed.
“We did a walkthrough last night of all the different voting locations to make sure that it wasn’t too close to a supervisor’s office or anything like that,” Wu said. “All the windows are blocked out. So there are measures we tried to take to make sure that it’s as confidential as possible.”
Raytselis added that EmoryUnite!’s leadership board is dedicated to addressing all Ph.D. students’ concerns if the union is formed.
“We want to hear your concerns,” Raytselis said. “Whether they’re town hall events or surveys or whatever method you choose, making sure that we are in fact getting input from every Ph.D. at Emory, whether or not they’re a supporter of union, whether or not they’re an active organizer, it’s critical that we as a union of Ph.D. workers represent the wants and needs of all of us.”
Ilah Ross (she/her, 27C) is from the Bay Area in California, and is planning to major in creative writing and philosophy, politics and law. Outside of The Wheel, she is involved with TEDxEmory, JLaw and loves to go hiking with friends.
