University of Minnesota Graduate Labor Union (GLU) members voted to ratify its first contract with University administration from Dec. 2 to 6. 

Once signed, the contract will raise pay for graduate workers, increase their protections in the workplace and cover fees to offset semesterly student fees. For the contract to go into effect, the Board of Regents needs to sign off.

Bargaining Committee member Sam Boland said he hopes the regents will approve it at their next meeting on Dec. 12 and 13. If not, Boland said the bargaining committee is asking the Board to call a special session to approve the contract in January. 

In an emailed statement to The Minnesota Daily, University spokesperson Jake Ricker said it is not feasible for the regents to go over the agreement at its December meeting, though they are working to schedule a special meeting.

Boland said as with any union contract, it will be violated at times, and it is up to GLU members to enforce their rights and file any grievances or unfair labor practices. 

“The University has committed to training all faculty who supervise graduate assistants on the contract,” Boland said. “To make sure that everyone understands the rights that it guarantees and what all the obligations are university and obligations of graduate assistants.” 

“We’re excited,” Boland said. “The process is over, and so now we have to enforce it.” 

The agreement provides graduate assistants with a $27 per hour minimum wage as well as annual wage increases, student fee support, paid personal days and other workplace protections, Ricker said.

Ricker said the University appreciates the support of GLU members in approving the agreement, and planning has already begun to implement the contract.

Office of Human Resources Vice President Ken Horstman said in the statement that the University is now focused on ensuring the University implements the agreement systemwide. 

“Our focus is on ensuring that the University complies with all of the terms and conditions of the agreement systemwide, and we are working diligently to expedite the implementation of this agreement,” Horstman said.

Boland said there is still work to be done on a contract for fellows, and the bargaining committee is hopeful the process will begin in the spring semester. 

“We will be working with the University to determine who should be included within our bargaining unit,” Boland said. “Who’s doing labor on behalf of the university, versus receiving a fellowship as financial aid? We’d like to have our fellows have the same contract as our graduate assistants.”