On January 21, 2025, the Board of Regents approved the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the Graduate Labor Union-United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (GLU-UE) and the University.

The CBA is now active and runs through June 30, 2027. Here’s what you need to know.

Implementation Underway

The agreement sets forth the terms and conditions of employment for graduate assistants (GAs) systemwide. To implement the provisions of the CBA, Employee and Labor Relations (ELR) and OHR partners have developed training and resources to assist campus, college, and unit human resources and faculty supervisors of GAs. ELR has also been hosting a weekly “GA Contract Implementation Brown Bag” meeting series with HR Leads to address contract provisions and answer any questions. Finally, ELR has been attending key meetings with Associate Deans, Directors of Graduate Studies, etc., to discuss the provisions of the CBA.

The CBA is the reference for questions regarding any terms and conditions of employment for GAs and must be adhered to regarding wages, hours, benefits, and other provisions. We thank everyone who worked tirelessly to implement this contract by the start of the spring semester. We could not have done it without you! 

Any questions should be referred to ELR@umn.edu. 

GA Contract Resources 

The following resources have been implemented to help campuses, colleges, and units understand and adhere to the CBA.

Appointment Letter Template 

An updated appointment letter is now available on the OHR website with other template letters (see under Graduate Assistant). Users will be prompted to make a copy to edit when they click the link.

Job Aid for GA Leave Tracker

The job aid guide provides supervisors with a temporary process for effectively tracking personal days, sick leave, bereavement leave, and other paid time off taken by graduate assistants covered under the CBA. 

GA Leave Tracker

This is the GA leave tracker described within the job aid above. Note: the tracker does not include earned Sick and Safe Time and Parental Leave. Click the link to make a copy and start using it.

CBA Access

This is a zlink to the CBA (z.umn.edu/GA_CBA). You can also view it from the Active Contracts and Negotiations page on the OHR website. A signed version will be available once all signatures have been secured. 

Please continue to familiarize yourself with the CBA and share it with stakeholders such as faculty supervisors of GAs, graduate program coordinators, etc. If you identify areas in which your campus, college, or unit needs to modify existing practices, please work diligently on those items to ensure compliance and minimize grievances.

Action: Share Training Resources 

The following training topics should be shared with HR and GA supervisors in your campus, college, or unit.  GA supervisors are expected to complete the training as part of compliance and should also partner with their local HR if they have questions. 

• Part 1: Supervising GAs in a Union Environment (17 minutes)
  • Part 1 Slide Deck 
• Part 2: Understanding GA Appointments  (17 minutes)
  • Part 2 Slide Deck 
• Part 3: Management, Union, and Other Rights (15 minutes)
  • Part 3 Slide Deck 
• Part 4: Health and Safety (8 minutes)
  • Part 4 Slide Deck 
• Part 6: Discipline and Discharge  (19 minutes)
  • Part 6 Slide Deck

The following training topics to be shared soon:

• Part 5: Respectful and Inclusive Work Environment
• Part 7: Grievances and Arbitration
• Part 8: Leaves of Absence 
• Part 9: Compensation Components