Brown University, graduate students set terms for union vote

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown University and a student organization have agreed to terms for a possible election to decide whether eligible graduate students will unionize.

Brown announced the agreement with the organization Stand Up for Graduate Student Employees on Thursday. It establishes formal election procedures, voter eligibility guidelines and other terms in the event the university receives a petition to hold a unionization election.

Brown says other things also must happen before an election can take place.

University Provost Richard M. Locke says the Ivy League school supports the students' "right to decide for themselves whether unionization is in their best interest."

The student organization says the agreement is a "huge step forward toward securing a seat at the table" where decisions are made about graduate students' health care, stipends, libraries and grievances.