What is a union?
A union is an organization of employees who come together and are legally empowered to negotiate collectively with their employer over their working conditions (wages, benefits, workplace protections, grievance procedure, etc.).
Postdocs at many other universities and research institutions already have a union including at Princeton, Harvard, Columbia, Penn, Brown, Weill Cornell, the University of California system, Rutgers, the University of Connecticut, the University of Washington, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Mount Sinai Health System, Northwestern, and the National Institutes of Health.
There are already approximately 8,000 unionized employees at Yale. Graduate teachers and researchers—many of whom work alongside and collaborate with postdocs—already have a recognized union and a contract.
What issues can a union address?
Postdocs at Yale have identified many issues that could be addressed by a union and contract: pay that keeps up with the rising cost of living; protections for international employees; support for parents; and real recourse in situations of abuse, discrimination, or harassment. After we win recognition of our union, postdoc union members will collectively determine priorities for our contract and any tentative contract would be subject to a ratification vote.
What is Local 33? What is UNITE HERE?
Local 33-UNITE HERE is the union that currently represents graduate teachers and researchers at Yale. Graduate workers at Yale ratified an industry-leading contract in 2023. By joining Local 33, postdocs at Yale will benefit from the experience, resources, and strength of an established union but will have our own contract that reflects the specific interests and working conditions of postdocs.
UNITE HERE Locals 33, 34, and 35 already represent thousands of Yale employees, including many researchers and research support staff. UNITE HERE unions at Yale have settled industry-leading contracts peacefully, without striking, for more than 20 years.
UNITE HERE also represents approximately 270,000 workers in the US and Canada, primarily in the hospitality and food service industries.
Read more about the history of Local 33 here and more about UNITE HERE at https://unitehere.org/.
How will we form our union?
Unions are formed in one of two ways. Method 1 is by voluntary recognition, meaning Yale would recognize our union after a majority of postdocs sign union cards. Method 2 is through an election overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) or another entity, which we would file for after a majority of postdocs sign a union card. Graduate workers at Yale won their union in 2023 through an NLRB election in which 91% of grad workers voted “union yes.”
How will we decide what to bargain for?
Before any negotiations commence, postdoc union members will be able to participate in electing a bargaining committee. Through surveys, meetings, and organizing committees, postdoc union members will also get to be part of the process of identifying our contract priorities.
Can postdoctoral associates and fellows be part of the union?
Yale Postdoctoral Scholars United-Local 33 is seeking to form a union that will represent both associate and fellow postdoctoral employees. All postdocs, whether associates or fellows, can sign a union card and help the effort to form a union.
Can I be retaliated against for participating in the union campaign or joining the union?
Your right to join, support, and organize a union is protected under the National Labor Relations Act. The university cannot legally discriminate, discipline, fire, or otherwise retaliate against you for being involved in a union. If you are concerned about retaliation, please reach out to 33@yaleunions.org.
Can international postdocs participate in the union campaign and join the union?
Yes! U.S. law protects your right to support, organize, and join a union regardless of citizenship or visa status. It is illegal to retaliate against any worker for organizing their workplace, including taking action to jeopardize or change your immigration or visa status.
UNITE HERE represents many immigrant workers across the United States—including international graduate student workers at Yale—and is a leader in the immigrant rights movement.
Will having a union prevent me from working more than a certain number of hours?
No. A union contract can, however, give you protections and recourse from being forced to work arbitrary or unreasonable hours or perform work outside your job description. For instance, the Local 33 graduate worker contract has many provisions that protect flexible work practices.
Will having a union mean that my PI/department will not be able to hire as many postdocs?
The university cannot eliminate jobs on the basis of unionization. In fiscal year 2024, Yale’s endowment was worth over $41 billion—more than enough to absorb higher pay and better benefits for essential employees like postdocs. The number of PhD students at Yale actually increased after graduate workers won their union.
Will having a union make my pay decrease?
A contract would set a minimum salary, just as Yale currently sets a minimum postdoc salary that a PI or program may exceed or augment. Without a contract, however, raises are not guaranteed and the university alone determines the amount and timing of any pay increases. While it’s not possible to predict what Yale will propose in contract negotiations, Local 33 would not agree to a contract that lowered pay. It is also unlikely that a majority of postdocs would vote to ratify a contract that did not benefit them financially. Yale significantly increased postdoc pay in 2023, following the ratification of graduate workers’ union contract, and postdocs at Yale’s peer institutions have all won higher pay through unionization.
Will I have to pay dues to be a member of Local 33?
Yes. Like any organization, a union takes work to run. Dues pay for any staffing that might be required to keep the union functional and strong; and for any legal fees we need during negotiations or to support members going forward. Dues are 1.6% of gross income. However, no dues will be collected until postdocs have voted to ratify a contract and the contract is in effect.
Will I be forced to go on strike?
The union cannot force or require anyone to go on strike or withhold their labor. Postdocs can decide that a strike is necessary in order to settle a good contract, but any strike action would require a vote by postdocs. Even after a vote, it would be up to each worker to make a decision about whether to participate. Graduate workers in Local 33 settled an industry-leading contract without striking in 2023.
Don’t postdocs already have representation at Yale through the Yale Postdoctoral Association?
Postdocs have the ability to recommend policies or changes to the Yale administration through the YPA, but do not have the ability to ensure those recommendations are implemented or followed. A recognized union and a contract are the only ways to legally guarantee that postdocs have a real seat at the table, are democratically empowered to negotiate collectively over our working conditions, and have independent recourse in instances of mistreatment or abuse.
Additionally, there are aspects of postdoctoral life that are better suited to the advocacy and deliberation of the YPA. YPSU-Local 33 does not seek to replace the YPA. In fact, many postdocs who are active in organizing with Local 33 are or have also been involved in YPA.
Will a union interfere in my relationship with my PI or supervisor?
Union contracts often provide much needed clarity about expectations for both employees and supervisors. Unionized employees also can negotiate for protections against arbitrary or unfair disciplinary decisions, and can choose to be represented by a union steward in disciplinary proceedings. In cases where there is a breakdown in the relationship between a postdoc and their supervisor or PI, a union can provide a path for productive conflict resolution and mediation—both formally and informally. A study by researchers at Cornell actually showed that relationships between graduate workers and faculty were not negatively impacted by unionization, and that having wages and benefits covered by a contract relieved common sources of workplace stress and conflict.
No postdoc would be required to make use of union processes or involve a union representative to resolve conflicts with any PI or other faculty supervisor. Processes like a grievance procedure would exist as options that postdocs can choose to utilize if they think it will be helpful to them.
I’m in! How do I sign a union card?
Signing a union card is an important and meaningful way to demonstrate your support for a union. You can sign a union card electronically at any time. If you would like to set up a time to meet in person or talk by phone/Zoom with an organizer about unionizing or signing a card, please get in touch by emailing 33@yaleunions.org. You can sign a card even if you do not currently live in New Haven. A member of the Yale Postdoctoral Scholars United/Local 33 organizing committee may reach out to you as well about signing a card and to answer any questions you might have about the campaign. When you sign a card, you can also sign up to get emails and text updates about the campaign.