United Electrical Local 1043, Stanford Graduate Workers Union
Stanford Graduate Workers Union (UE-SGWU) is affiliated with the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE). Stanford University and UE-SGWU have a collective bargaining agreement effective November 22, 2024 - August 31, 2027.
Union Dues and Fees
Article 3 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the University and UE-SGWU provides that as a condition of employment, graduate students who are in the bargaining unit must elect to either pay membership dues or agency fees during their Appointment (as a TA or RA, for example). Per the CBA, a Graduate Worker has a choice of whether to become a member of the Union and pay dues or to not become a member of the Union and pay agency fees.
The Graduate Worker can choose to pay either membership dues (if they become a member) or pay agency fees (if they do not become a member) via a paycheck deduction provided the Graduate Worker signs a paycheck deduction authorization form. If a Graduate Worker does not wish to sign the deduction authorization form, a Graduate Worker may discuss with the Union an alternative method to pay the membership dues or agency fees.
An individual covered by a collective bargaining agreement may choose not to become a union member and opt to pay only that share of dues used directly for representation. This is known as a “Beck objector”. The process to be a Beck objector is handled by the Union. Graduate Workers can contact the Union for more information about the Beck objector process.
In addition, an individual covered by a collective bargaining agreement may object to union membership on religious grounds. In this case, the Graduate Worker would pay an amount equal to dues to a nonreligious charitable organization. Graduate Workers can contact the Union for more information about the religious objection process. If a Graduate Worker’s request for a religious accommodation is denied by the Union, the Graduate Worker may follow up with the Union and should also contact the University at stanfordelr@stanford.edu so that it can review the requested accommodation.
Information about union dues can also be found on the National Labor Relations Board’s website.
Union Membership
For information about which graduate students are covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), please refer to the FAQ below.
The Union is the exclusive representative of Graduate Workers covered by the CBA regarding terms and conditions of employment as a Teaching Assistant (TA), Course Assistant (CA), or Research Assistant (RA). Becoming a union member is a separate decision made by each Graduate Worker as described above. Even if a Graduate Worker decides not to become a union member, they are still covered by the terms of the CBA during quarters in which the graduate student is serving in a TA, CA, or RA appointment.
Contact Information
The University’s Employee & Labor Relations team can be reached at 650-721-4272 or via email at stanfordelr@stanford.edu.
UE-SGWU FAQs
UE-SGWU represents:
- Ph.D. students
- Masters (excluding MBA) and J.D. students
- Students pursuing degree combinations that include Ph.D., Masters (excluding MBA), and J.D.
These graduate students are included in the union during quarters in which they are providing instructional and/or research services for the university in the following roles:
- Course Assistant
- Teaching Assistant
- Research Assistant
- Students on fellowship who provide instructional services
Together, these graduate students are referred to as “graduate workers” and are in the “bargaining unit.” Determination of whether someone is in the bargaining unit is made on a quarterly basis based on whether they hold an appointment that is included in the definition of the bargaining unit above.
- All other students (including but not limited to the following students: MBA, DMA, JSD, MD, and undergraduate students – including undergraduates who are coterminously enrolled in graduate program)
- Students funded exclusively on external or internal fellowships except those providing instructional services for any class listed in Stanford Explore Courses.
- Students not seeking Stanford degrees, and visiting students
- All other exempt employees (including faculty or staff enrolled using university tuition benefit)
- Office clericals; managers; guards and supervisors as defined in the NLRA
Understanding Graduate Workers’ Right to Union Representation FAQs
A Graduate Worker represented by UE-SGWU has the right, upon request, to have a union representative present during an employment-related investigatory interview that they reasonably believe could lead to discipline or discharge (also known as “Weingarten rights”). Only Graduate Workers who are in the bargaining unit have a right to request a union representative. If you need to conduct a meeting or interview with a Graduate Worker and are not sure whether it could be considered an investigatory interview, please contact University Human Resources-Employee and Labor Relations at stanfordelr@stanford.edu.
No, the Graduate Worker does not need to be offered a union representative. It is up to the Graduate Worker to request a union representative for an employment-related investigatory interview. Third parties, including union representatives, may not make the request on behalf of the Graduate Worker.
A Graduate Worker is not entitled to a union representative in meetings that are instructional or supervisory in nature, including meetings to discuss work assignments or to provide feedback on performance, even if negative.
Additionally, a Graduate Worker is not entitled to have a union representative in meetings or investigatory interviews which are related wholly to their status as a student, such as academic-related issues. Graduate students who are not in the bargaining unit do not have a right to request a union representative. If you are unsure of whether a graduate student is in the bargaining unit, please contact your dean’s office.
No, Graduate Workers are not entitled to a union representative in meetings which are related wholly to their status as a student, such as meetings to discuss academic progress, performance, and assignments.
Please contact your dean’s office or University Human Resources-Employee and Labor Relations at stanfordelr@stanford.edu to confirm whether the presence of a union representative is appropriate before proceeding with the meeting.
If a Graduate Worker requests union representation during an investigatory interview, end the investigatory interview. Please contact your dean’s office or University Human Resources-Employee and Labor Relations at stanfordelr@stanford.edu to determine next steps.