On March 29th, the recently established labor union of UA graduate workers, AGWA-UAW, concluded its Strike Authorization Vote. Of 296 votes, 95% voted “yes” to authorize a potential graduate worker strike.

Negotiations between university representatives and the graduate student union came screeching to a halt last week when the university canceled two and a half days of bargaining. The university’s decision came after graduate students met with state senators in Juneau on February 20th to discuss the university’s R1 status.

After a two-week online voting window, the vote is in: graduate student workers at UA have overwhelmingly voted to form a union. UA Teaching Assistants, Research Assistants, Research Fellows, and hourly employees who are students at the graduate level will be represented by AGWA-UAW.

Fairbanks, AK – This Friday, March 31st at 12:00 noon, University of Alaska graduate student workers will march on campus to continue their campaign for a union. After filing a petition to form a union with the Alaska Labor Relations Agency, they are expressing their continued support for unionization and to proceed rapidly to a union election so they can confirm their choice to collectively bargain. Press is welcome to attend.

March Details:

• What: A march to show support for a union, and for proceeding rapidly to a union election.

• When: 12:00 (noon) on Friday, March 31

• Where: Wood Center, UAF Campus

• Who: University of Alaska graduate workers, community allies and campus supporters.