News & Events

ABOUT US

Organizing for a Better Northwestern

We are Northwestern University Graduate Workers (NUGW), a union of graduate employees who came together after the 2016 NLRB decision affirmed graduate workers’ right to organize . Through years of grassroots organizing and member‑driven campaigns, we built a democratic, inclusive union and won recognition with an overwhelming yes vote in 2023. In 2024 we ratified our first contract, securing major stipend raises, comprehensive health coverage, support for international workers and strong workplace protections . Today we continue to fight for a university that truly values the workers who make it run.

Elected Leadership

NUGW-UE Local 1122 Executive Board

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History of NUGW

2024–Present – Ongoing Organizing

NUGW continues to grow membership, enforce the contract and pursue further improvements for all graduate workers, highlighting that union power stems from active participation and solidarity.

March 2024 – Workers Ratify First Contract

After more than half a year of bargaining, NUGW members overwhelmingly ratified their first union contract. The agreement delivered retroactive bonuses and raises to the minimum stipend, equalized monthly pay, comprehensive health coverage (including vision and dental care and waived health fees), visa and travel reimbursements for international workers, paid medical and parental leave, appointment letters, and a grievance procedure with union representation and just‑cause protections . This historic win demonstrates the power of collective action and sets a new standard for graduate worker contracts.

2023–24 – Bargaining & First Contract

Throughout 2023, bargaining committees met with Northwestern to negotiate a first contract. In March 2024, members ratified a comprehensive agreement that delivered major gains: retroactive raises, higher minimum stipends, comprehensive health coverage, visa and travel reimbursements, paid medical leave, formal appointment letters and strong grievance procedures.

Jan 2023 – Union Election

In a National Labor Relations Board election, over 93 % of voting graduate workers chose NUGW‑UE, resulting in official union recognition.

2022 – Affiliation with UE

 Members voted overwhelmingly to affiliate with the United Electrical Workers (UE), a democratic, rank‑and‑file union.

2021 – Department Organizing Infrastructure

NUGW built a departmental steward network, conducted a comprehensive graduate‑worker needs survey and continued building momentum for union recognition.

2020 – COVID‑19 Actions & Paid Medical Leave

During the pandemic, graduate workers staged a sick‑out to demand safer working conditions and launched a Paid Medical Leave campaign. The result was a new policy guaranteeing fully paid leave for medical and parental needs.

2018 – Fee and Healthcare Wins

Through collective action, NUGW succeeded in eliminating a $50 international student fee and reducing other unfair fees, demonstrating the power of collective bargaining.

2017 – Constitution & Democracy

Members drafted and ratified NUGW’s constitution and bylaws, establishing a democratically run, member‑driven union.

2016 – Formation and First Campaigns

After the NLRB’s Columbia decision affirmed graduate workers’ right to unionize, NUGW formed. Early organizing included the Full Five campaign, which secured five years of guaranteed funding for PhD students and eliminated continuation fees.

ABOUT US

Mission Statement

Northwestern University Graduate Workers (NUGW) is an antiracist, feminist labor union fighting for better working and living conditions for all graduate workers. We understand that the material conditions of our academic lives, and the right to a collective voice in decisions that affect these conditions, are inherently issues of racial, gender, and decolonial justice. We are dedicated to building a diverse and democratic union that centers the needs of historically excluded and underrepresented students, particularly Black, Indigenous, POC, queer, trans, undocumented, low-income, first-generation, parenting students and students living with disabilities or chronic illnesses.

Our Constitution

Ratified May 23rd 2024

Access Full Text here