The Boston University Graduate Workers Union held an election filing block party at the College of Communication lawn on Oct. 18 to celebrate submitting 1,800 union authorization cards to the Boston office of the National Labor Relations Board.
The majority of graduate workers at BU have signed union authorization cards indicating their intention to join the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 509, according to a letter BUGWU sent to President Brown on Oct.11.
According to the U.S. National Labor Relations Board, if at least 30% of workers sign cards indicating they want a union, the NLRB will conduct an election to certify the union. Once a union is certified, the employer is required to bargain over its terms and conditions of employment with a union representative.
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley attended the block party and expressed her support for BUGWU, encouraging all students to stand up for their rights during her speech.
Members of BUGWU marching from the COM Lawn to the BU Administration Center located at 1 Silber Way. ZIYU (JULIAN) ZHU/DFP STAFFZara Albright, a BUGWU member, cheering during the block party at the COM lawn. ZIYU (JULIAN) ZHU/DFP STAFFMembers of BUGWU marching with signs along Commonwealth Avenue. ZIYU (JULIAN) ZHU/DFP STAFFBUGWU members and supporters marching to 1 Silber Way. ZIYU (JULIAN) ZHU/DFP STAFFThe protesters on the ninth floor of the BU Administration Center at 1 Silber Way. ZIYU (JULIAN) ZHU/DFP STAFFA BUGWU member carrying a box filled with signed union authorization cards. ZIYU (JULIAN) ZHU/DFP STAFFBoxes containing a total of around 1,800 signed union authorization cards were loaded into a car to be sent to the Boston office of the National Labor Relations Board. ZIYU (JULIAN) ZHU/DFP STAFFThe car drove off as BUGWU members and supporters cheered outside 1 Silber Way. ZIYU (JULIAN) ZHU/DFP STAFFBUGWU members cheering after the car’s departure. ZIYU (JULIAN) ZHU/DFP STAFFThe group marched back to the COM lawn from 1 Silber Way. ZIYU (JULIAN) ZHU/DFP STAFFCongresswoman Ayanna Pressley made a speech about the importance of students fighting for their rights on the COM lawn on Oct 18. ZIYU (JULIAN) ZHU/DFP STAFFBUGWU members and supporters were in high spirits during the event. ZIYU (JULIAN) ZHU/DFP STAFFA BUGWU member chanting as they march down Commonwealth Avenue. ZIYU (JULIAN) ZHU/DFP STAFFA protester holds a sign that says, “BU PRES. MAKES … $2,483,000” and “GRAD WORKERS MAKE $25,502.” ZIYU (JULIAN) ZHU/DFP STAFFBUGWU members dancing in front of 1 Silber Way. ZIYU (JULIAN) ZHU/DFP STAFFBUGWU members and supporters pose for a photo with Pressley on the COM lawn during their block party on Oct 18. ZIYU (JULIAN) ZHU/DFP STAFF
