Situation

• Northeastern private university faced collective bargaining effort among graduate student
• Key issue included lack of understanding of the employment vs. student relationship with university
• Rallying cry was a demand for employment-based health care coverage

Solution

• Worked with the graduate senate and key senior university leadership
• Address critical benefits and compensation issues for Graduate Assistants
• Clarify academic relationship with University

Results Include

• Clear delineation between employment and academic aspects
• Leading to a vote against bargaining effort
• Over 70% of the graduate senate concluded collective bargaining was not in the best interest of the funded graduate students
• Settling this dispute ended several years of contention and collective bargaining efforts
• Increase student understanding and satisfaction with funding/positions