University of Maryland Graduate Student Workers Call for Union Recognition at Campus Rally
Thursday, students stand and listen to speakers at Hornbake Plaza at the University of Maryland, College Park. (Princess Tatsi/The Black Explosion)
The University of Maryland graduate student workers rallied Thursday afternoon at Hornbake Plaza, calling on the university to recognize the Graduate Labor Union.
Graduate student workers who handle much of the teaching, grading and research at this university.
Some say they feel undervalued and overlooked by the university. At the rally, they demanded better pay, workplace protections, subsidized housing and improved support for international and disabled students.
Last Thursday, a GLU protester shouted, “Desantis [in] Florida allows collective bargaining for grad workers — but Maryland doesn’t?” Hornbake Plaza in the University of Maryland, College Park. (Princess Tatsi/The Black Explosion)
GLU, which launched in August 2023 and is affiliated with the United Auto Workers, has steadily grown since its inception. According to Joey Knisley, a sixth-year Ph.D. candidate in atmospheric and oceanic science, 60% of graduate workers support unionization.
"UMD can unilaterally set the terms of our contracts," Sora Baratloo, a first-year Ph.D. candidate in computer sciences, said. Sora said there is a lack of an effective process to address workplace harassment, adding, “the university isn’t incentivized to resolve those situations.”
After gathering at the plaza, students marched to the steps of the Thomas V. Miller, Jr. Administration Building, intending to deliver a signed letter demanding recognition from university leaders. Instead, they faced closed doors and a police officer who said they needed an appointment to enter the building.
Last Thursday, students march to the University of Maryland administrative building from Hornbake Plaza, University of Maryland, College Park. (Princess Tatsi/The Black Explosion)
“We need a voice at the table,” Knisley said, “The university wouldn’t function without us, and it’s pathetic that UMD refuses to recognize our union.”
The university refused despite student unions being acknowledged at other universities, such as Harvard and Columbia.
Last Thursday, an undergraduate University of Maryland student held up a sign that read, “Treat Us Better,” in front of the Thomas V. Miller Jr. Administrative Building, College Park. (Princess Tatsi/The Black Explosion)
The University of Maryland Graduate Student Government passed a resolution Friday calling on the university and the University System of Maryland to acknowledge graduate student’s right to unionize, as reported first by The Diamondback.
Last Thursday, students protested outside the administrative building at the University of Maryland, College Park. (Princess Tatsi/The Black Explosion)