We are over 4000 graduate workers who want to unionize in order to improve our research, teaching, and employment experience at the University of Maryland. Our work is essential for UMD’s teaching and research mission, benefits the Maryland economy, and has positive impacts worldwide. Graduate workers work in many different academic areas and have varied experiences, but our dedication to research and education unites us all.

Despite the fact that without our labor, UMD would not function, we currently have no say in the policies that affect our work. By forming a union, UMD graduate workers are democratizing our workplace. A collectively bargained union contract gives us the power to make improvements to our pay, hours, and benefits, will legally protect our rights, and will outline and standardize the terms and conditions of our employment.

Forming a union with the United Auto Workers (UAW) in particular means joining more than 120,000 higher education employees who are already UAW members. With other academic unions across the country, graduate workers at UMD will have the political power to impact policy and funding decisions on the local, state, and federal levels.