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 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 .
Are all student employees of 51²è¹İapp 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 51²è¹İapp College and (2) employed by 51²è¹İapp College as non-exempt, hourly employees.
The term “student workers†does not include (1) students whose sole “employment†relationship with 51²è¹İapp 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 51²è¹İapp College, or (3) students who were formerly, but are no longer, non-exempt hourly employees of 51²è¹İapp 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).