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Boston University grad workers strike could end after vote this week, union says

The union is voting on a contract that was proposed by Boston University in August, according to the university's publication BU Today.

Anne Curtis, a Graduate Student at Boston University (R) rallied along with fellow grad students and allies as BU graduate worker students went on strike for fair pay, better healthcare coverage, and stronger benefits in March. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)

By Molly Farrar

October 14, 2024

2 minutes to read

Graduate workers at Boston University who have been on strike for more than six months are voting this week on a three-year contract proposed by the university in August.

The Boston University Graduate Workers Union overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike in March to fight for a “living wage,” improved healthcare coverage, and cost of living adjustments. Currently, graduate workers are paid between $27,000 and $40,000 a year, BUGWU said in March.

“This represents a significant step toward ensuring that graduate workers at Boston University receive the fair treatment and compensation they deserve,” SEIU Local 509 President Dave Foley said.

Previously, the union and BU returned to the bargaining table in August to discuss what the university called its “final proposal.” At the time, the union said it didn’t meet members’ demands, which included annual $62,440 stipend with cost of living adjustments based on median rent in Boston, including a built-in seven percent minimum raise.

BU Today, the university’s publication, reported Friday that the proposal currently being voted on was offered by the university in August.

The union’s vote will end Wednesday, and the results will be announced to the graduate workers that day, according to BUGWU. The proposed contract includes a minimum annual stipend of $45,000 for PhD workers, expanded healthcare, and childcare subsidies. Minimum hourly pay for workers will be $20.

The stipend will increase by three percent each year of the contract, and grad workers will also be eligible for paid parental leave, the union said. There will also be a $200,000 emergency fund for the students.

“Our strike is a testament to the power of solidarity,” Alexandra Kohut, a graduate worker in the Linguistics department, said in a statement Saturday. “If ratified, this contract would significantly impact the lives of many graduate workers and set a strong foundation for future union members who will continue the work. We are excited to continue to grow our union’s presence on campus.”

During the strike, BU didn’t cancel any classes for its more than 37,000 students, and departments replaced any striking graduate workers with other employees to grade students’ work. A spokesperson for the university said the strike did not disrupt any of their 700+ summer courses.

The university has been accused of multiple unfair labor practices during the strike. SEIU filed two charges against the university with the National Labor Relations Board on March 26 and April 5. The university said at the time that “we believe that these charges will be found to be without merit.”

If ratified, the graduate workers will see their pay raises in about a month.