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{{Short description|Formation of labor unions by postdoctoral researchers}}
{{globalize|date=March 2017}}
'''Postdoctoral researcher unionization''' is the formation of [[Trade union|labor unions]] by [[Postdoctoral researcher|postdoctoral researchers]] (postdocs).  It has been driven by increasing competition for scarce tenure-track [[Faculty (academic staff)|faculty]] positions, leading to more people residing in postdoctoral positions for a longer time.  Unions often challenge the low pay, minimal benefits, and lack of job security that are typical of postdoctoral positions.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Cain|first1=Benjamin|last2=Budke|first2=Jessica M.|last3=Wood|first3=Kelsey J.|last4=Sweeney|first4=Neal T.|last5=Schwessinger|first5=Benjamin|date=2014-11-21|title=How postdocs benefit from building a union|journal=eLife|language=en|volume=3|pages=e05614|doi=10.7554/eLife.05614|issn=2050-084X|pmc=4238050|pmid=25415240 |doi-access=free }}</ref>  Unionizing is however sometimes seen as creating a culture clash of tension between postdocs and their academic advisors, and some question the suitability of a union for a temporary position.  Some universities seek to avoid pushes for unionization by proactively addressing the concerns of postdoctoral researchers.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Gewin|first=Virginia|date=2010-10-06|title=The spread of postdoc unions|journal=Nature|language=en|volume=467|issue=7316|pages=739–741|doi=10.1038/nj7316-739a|pmid=20930810|doi-access=free}}</ref>
Postdoctoral unions exist only at a few universities.  They have often been formed with the help of other unions at the same institution; for example, before the University of Massachusetts Amherst union was formed, postdoctoral researchers were the only class of employees not already part of a union.<ref name=":2" />  The [[National Postdoctoral Association]], which is a [[professional association]] rather than a labor union, is officially neutral on the issue of postdoctoral unionization.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/page/Unionization|title=Unionization|website=|publisher=National Postdoctoral Association|access-date=2016-05-27}}</ref> The [[Boston Postdoctoral Association]], the largest 501c(6) postdoctoral organization and largest regional organization, has not publicly declared a position on postdoctoral organization.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bostonpostdocs.org/advocacy |title = Boston Postdoctoral Association Advocacy site}}</ref>
== History ==
The first stand-alone postdoctoral researcher union was [[UAW Local 5810]] at the [[University of California]] system.<ref name=":0" /> As of 2010 it represented about 6,400 postdoctoral researchers,<ref name=":2" /> which was estimated to be about 10% of the United States total,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.science.org/content/article/new-california-postdoc-contract|title=The New California Postdoc Contract|last=Benderly|first=Beryl Lieff|date=2010-09-03|website=Science Careers|access-date=2016-05-15}}</ref> and is the largest postdoctoral researcher union in North America.<ref name=":3" /> Efforts to form this union had begun in the early 2000s, and it was officially formed in 2008.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2012/03/22/umass-amherst-postdoctoral-union-ratifies-contract-setting-precedent-for-other-campuses/EN4IHuRaDsCJCUq9iIjIPK/story.html|title=UMass Amherst postdoctoral union ratifies contract, setting precedent for other campuses – The Boston Globe|last=Carmichael|first=Mary|date=2012-03-23|website=Boston Globe|access-date=2016-05-15}}</ref>  Its first contract was ratified in August 2010. This led to establishing a minimum salary with annual increases, the availability of insurance [[Employee benefit|benefits]], guaranteed vacation time, paid maternity leave, and [[Just cause (employment law)|just cause]] protections for discipline or dismissal.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://health.universityofcalifornia.edu/2010/08/12/uc-postdocs-ratify-contract/|title=UC postdocs ratify contract|date=2010-08-12|website=UC Health|access-date=2016-05-15}}</ref>
Postdocs at [[Rutgers University]] unionized in July 2009.<ref name=":2" />  In 2010, a postdoctoral union at the [[University of Massachusetts Amherst]] was formed, and in 2012 it ratified a contract providing for salary and benefits, the first of its kind in the [[University of Massachusetts]] system.<ref name=":1" /> Postdoctoral unions also exist at the [[University of Connecticut Health Center]] and the [[University of Alaska system|University of Alaska]] in the United States, and at [[McMaster University]], the [[University of Western Ontario]], and the [[Université Laval]] in Canada.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://uaw5810.org/about-your-union/faq/|title=FAQ|website=UAW Local 5810|access-date=2016-05-15}}</ref> In 2018, the 1,100 postdocs at the [[University of Washington]] voted to unionize, becoming the second-largest postdoc union in the United States.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2018/05/14/u-washington-postdocs-form-union|title=U of Washington Postdocs Form Union|date=2018-05-14|website=Inside Higher Ed|access-date=2019-04-30}}</ref> Also in 2018, postdocs at [[Columbia University]] formed the first certified postdoctoral union at a private university in the United States after successfully petitioning the [[National Labor Relations Board|NLRB]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://columbiapostdocunion.org/columbia-university-postdocs-form-union-with-uaw-petition-nlrb-for-election-first-private-university-postdoc-effort-expands-growing-academic-union-movement/|title=Columbia University Postdocs form union with UAW, petition NLRB for election; first private university postdoc effort expands growing academic union movement {{!}} Columbia Postdoctoral Workers|date=2018-08-10|work=Columbia Postdoctoral Workers|access-date=2018-08-18|language=en-US}}</ref> and the postdocs at the [[University of Connecticut]] formed a union.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uconnpostdocunion.org/our-union-is-certified-join-us-for-lunch-to-discuss-next-steps/|title=Our union is certified, join us for lunch to discuss next steps! – UConn Postdoc Union|last=|first=|date=2018-07-24|website=UConn Postdoc Union|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thechronicle.com/stories/20190426POSTDOCS.php|title=UConn postdocs seek new contract|last=Firestone|first=Michelle|date=2019-04-26|website=The Chronicle|access-date=2019-12-10}}</ref>
== See also ==
* [[Graduate student employee unionization]]
== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}
[[Category:Postdoctoral research|unionization]]
[[Category:Tertiary education trade unions]]