Grinnell College makes every effort to maintain strong partnerships with the unions on campus. The College did not oppose the efforts to form a union to represent student dining services workers in March 2016. Union certification elections were held on May 5, 2016, and the Union of Grinnell Student Dining Workers (UGSDW) became the first independent union for undergraduate students in the country. The College has enormous respect for student workers and the important roles they play for our entire community.
UGSDW has the exclusive authority to represent student dining services employees in negotiations with the College over terms and conditions of employment, such as working conditions, pay, and benefits.
On March 4, 2022, the College and Union of Grinnell Student Dining Workers (UGSDW) successfully reached a neutrality agreement to govern a possible election related to expanding the student union.