The Unionization Process

What does it take to become an officially recognized union with a seat at the bargaining table?

✓ Step 1: Within-Union Vote

The Duke Graduate Students Union is a democratic organization. As such, we must hold a general body meeting to approve a drive for unionization. The DGSU general body voted unanimously on September 6, 2022 to hold an NLRB card drive.

📌 Step 2: NLRB Card Drive (we are here!)

Next, we hold an official NLRB card drive. The National Labor Relations Board requires that 30% of graduate workers that will be represented by the union (the “bargaining unit”) sign official NLRB cards saying that we wish to form a union (sign yours here, and the accompanying public petition here). We collect these cards and send them to the NLRB as proof that there is enough support to warrant filing for an official unionization election.

It is at this point that Duke could voluntarily recognize our union, as has been done at other universities like NYU and Georgetown. If they do not do so, we move on to…

💬 Step 3: Secret Ballot

Once approved, an election is held on whether we should unionize. All graduate student workers in the bargaining unit (the scope of which is negotiated by Duke and our parent union, SEIU) are able to vote, and a simple majority (>50%) of votes cast will decide whether we have a seat at the table.

💬 Step 4: Bargaining

Once the election has been won, bargaining begins. This process can take weeks, months, or years, and involves a group of rank and file members elected out of the union general body called a bargaining committee. We will pack the negotiation halls with our members and organize to win a contract that makes a difference.