How do unions stop harassment and discrimination at work?

Across the country, workers are unionizing at a record pace to equalize the power relationship between employer and employee. Unions function as an ally and powerful counterweight against policies that frequently leave workers vulnerable. For example, when someone is discriminated against or assaulted at work, a union can provide support and guidance, access to legal resources, and can help achieve justice through the grievance process.

Unions have a strong track record of negotiating improvements, positively impacting quality of life and enhancing our ability to focus on what we love about our jobs.

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Advocacy

Additionally, UAW Locals lay the groundwork for systemic change and improved equity through advocacy and their involvement on issues impacting members. Here are a few examples of this advocacy work:

Muslim Travel Ban

When the Trump Administration issued the racist Muslim Travel Ban, UAW academic Locals sprung into action, fighting to end the ban, educating members on their rights, and protecting members stuck abroad who could not return to campus. They filed Amicus Briefs in Federal Cases challenging the Ban (here and here), participated in protests and actions locally, and collected and shared resources with members.

Unequal Treatment of International Scholars

A large proportion of academic workers represented by UAW 5810, 2865 and 4121 are international. These locals have fought for equal treatment for these workers, including removing discriminatory fees and better job security. They worked with U.S. Representatives Judy Chu (San Gabriel Valley, California) and Pramila Jayapal (Seattle) on a Dear Colleague letter demanding that Secretary of State Pompeo restore the validity period of Chinese international students’ entry visas from 12 months back to 60 months. UAW academic Locals also pushed for and won extensions to the Optional Practical Training and H1B visa, and have formed Immigrants-Rights Coalitions.  

Attacks on Title IX

Trump’s Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has attempted to significantly weaken Federal protections against sexual assault. On behalf of its higher education Locals, the UAW International submitted comments expressing their opposition to the Department of Education’s plans to dismantle Title IX . With a collective bargaining agreement that details rights and protections from discrimination, harassment and assault, workers would not be impacted by whatever damage the Trump Administration does in these areas.

Tuition Increases

The University of California was set to increase Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition for graduate students starting in Fall 2019. The Union representing Academic Student Workers, many of whom would be impacted by the tuition increase, worked with other groups at UC to encourage the University not to increase tuition. Ultimately, the University decided not to increase non-resident tuition on graduate students. 

additional resources:

  • Read about the progress we’ve made through legally-binding contracts.

  • Learn more about our grievance wins, a process available through the union that requires the employer to acknowledge and respond to an issue.