What is collective bargaining?
Collective bargaining is the formal process of negotiation between an employer and a group of employees that establishes the terms and conditions of their employment. The process results in a collective bargaining agreement, which legally binds both the employer and the employees to the terms agreed upon. The interests of employees are commonly presented by representatives of a union, an organization that serves as an agent representing a specific group of employees and collectively bargains with the employer on their behalf. Negotiations may include wages, hours, and terms and conditions of work.
In the United States, a federal agency called the National Labor Relations Board generally oversees the process for employees seeking to form or join a union.
To represent a bargaining unit — a specific group of employees who collectively choose to unionize — a majority of all the members of that bargaining unit must vote in an election in favor of joining that union. Further details on the election process are available on the National Labor Relations Board website.
Are all student employees of Grinnell College part of the bargaining unit?
Student workers are defined as all degree-seeking individuals who are, simultaneously (1) enrolled as undergraduate students, full-time or part-time, at Grinnell College and (2) employed by Grinnell College as non-exempt, hourly employees.
The term “student workers” does not include (1) students whose sole “employment” relationship with Grinnell College is an internship, research fellowship, Mentored Advanced Project, or an equivalent relationship, such as externally grant-funded positions, (2) students who were formerly, but are not longer, enrolled as undergraduate students at Grinnell College, or (3) students who were formerly, but are no longer, non-exempt hourly employees of Grinnell College.
I am a faculty or staff member who supervises student employees who are part of the bargaining unit. Am I allowed to discuss the Union or ongoing negotiations?
Individuals who supervise student employees should adhere to ongoing guidance (TIPS and FOE).