UConn Recognizes Graduate Assistant Union

The University of Connecticut is officially recognizing the new union that will represent more than 2,100 graduate assistants working throughout the UConn campuses.

Julie Kushner, a leader with United Auto Workers, said Friday the union organization process was unusually smooth and fast. She said the students began signing up co-workers in February, calling the group well-organized.

The State Board of Labor Relations on Thursday determined that more than 50 percent of the graduate students had signed the petition seeking collective bargaining rights. That prompted UConn, which remained neutral throughout the process, to sign a form officially recognizing the union.

Kushner said contract negotiations with the university are expected to begin "very quickly."

As of April 7, UConn employed 2,135 graduate students in assistantships across all campuses except UConn Health Center.