From Jeff Hirsch:
Among the several labor and employment topics at next year’s SEALS meeting, we are organizing a discussion panel on graduate students and research assistants recent classification as employees under the NLRA. Please let Jeff Hirsch (jmhirsch@email.unc.edu) know if you’re interested in being a discussant, which involves a 5-7 minute presentation and participation in roundtable discussion:
Graduate Students as Employees
In its recent Columbia University decision, the NLRB once again concluded that graduate students and research assistants may be considered employees under the NLRA, opening the door to unionization among graduate students as private universities and colleges around the nation. This discussion panel will consider the possible implications of this decision, including how graduate student organizing may work in tandem with faculty organizing; comparing public and private sector graduate student unions; whether Columbia University will impact the classification of other potential student-employees, such as athletes; and others.