LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A majority of postdoctoral scholars across the Nevada System of Higher Education have signed cards in support of forming a union.
Joint actions were held Thursday at UNLV, UNR and DRI to mark the milestone. Letters were delivered to the presidents of each institution and NSHE’s chancellor.
The workers asked to meet with university officials to discuss union recognition.
The letters stated that postdoctoral scholars work at the University of Nevada, Reno; University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and the Desert Research Institute. The letters said postdocs serve as members of research teams, teach classes, and contribute to the R1 standing of the University of Nevada.
The letters said postdocs do not have a voice in determining pay, benefits, workplace protections and other working conditions.
The letters announced that a majority of postdoctoral colleagues across NSHE have signed union authorization cards to form a union, Academic Workers of Nevada-United Auto Workers. The letters asked the university to meet to discuss a process for recognizing the union and beginning negotiations for a first collective bargaining agreement.
Over 125,000 academic workers at institutions across the country have formed unions with UAW, according to the letters. Those institutions include the University of California, the University of Washington, the University of Alaska, the University of Maine, Harvard, Columbia and Princeton.
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