The University of Minnesota Board of Regents unanimously approved the Graduate Labor Union (GLU) collective bargaining agreement at a special meeting on Tuesday. The agreement was reached between the University and GLU members on Dec. 22.  

Vice President of Human Resources Ken Horstman introduced the agreement and said the bargaining process was complex. 

“GLU and the university bargaining team both put in a persistent and continuous effort to come to this agreement,” Horstman said. 

Both sides met for approximately 55 full days of bargaining or mediation sessions, according to Horstman. This agreement will impact 4,500 graduate agreements.  

The agreement sets the minimum pay rate to $27 an hour. It also guarantees annual wage increases, among other benefits. Union members will now receive three personal days each term and there will be an increase in healthcare benefits.

University President Rebecca Cunningham was present at the meeting and said she was enthusiastic about the agreement. 

“I know that this was a complex three-year agreement that has been negotiated, much to the credit of all involved,” Cunningham said. “Today really marks a new chapter in our relationship with graduate students, who play a vital role in supporting and advancing our public mission.”

Administrative staff were integral to the success of this agreement, according to Cunningham. 

Several regents spoke in support of the piece, including Regent James Farnsworth. 

“We talk a lot about workforce reinvestment here, this a very critical and tangible step towards workforce reinvestment, in that value that we’ve been prioritizing,” Farnsworth said. 

This agreement took effect on Jan. 13 with the first paycheck it will impact being on Feb. 5. The agreement is in effect until June 2027.