Penn State graduate assistants have union rights, Pennsylvania labor board rules

Penn State graduate assistants now have union rights under the Pennsylvania Employee Relations Act, the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board ruled on Friday.

During a week-long hearing in September, Penn State argued that graduate assistants were not employees of the university.

“We are ecstatic that the PLRB has ordered an election,” said Katie Warczak, media officer for the Coalition of Graduate Employees, in a press release. “We’re looking forward to exercising our right to vote, and we’re confident that it’s a vote we’ll win.”

According to the CGE, an election date is forthcoming.

The university responded to the ruling with disappointment.

“The decision is disappointing, but Penn State will continue to follow the PLRB process, while evaluating all its options going forward,” a Penn State press release said.

This story was originally published February 9, 2018 at 10:48 PM with the headline "Penn State graduate assistants have union rights, Pennsylvania labor board rules."