A Cornell Ph.D. candidate is challenging the authority of the university’s graduate student union in a federal labor case that could have national implications. Russell Burgett argues that requiring union dues for academic participation violates federal law.
Burgett, who is not a union member, filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board, aiming to overturn the 2016 Columbia University ruling that granted union rights to grad students at private institutions. His case claims graduate students shouldn’t be classified as employees under labor law.
The challenge targets a contract requiring dues or equivalent charity donations, which Burgett and his attorneys say infringes on academic freedom. The outcome could redefine union rights for graduate workers at universities across the country.
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