Graduate Student Unions in the United States

Graduate student unions have been attracting considerable academic and practitioner attention recently, especially since the New York University decision in 2000. Given the declining fortunes of the union movement, it seems as if the academic sector has the potential of becoming a vital new organizing frontier. However, there is scant research on this issue. We trace the origins and evolution of graduate student unions in the United States, discuss the relevant statutory and case law, analyze pertinent collective bargaining and strike issues, and suggest avenues for future research.