Dear Hilltop RAs,
Last Friday, a group of you shared with the President’s office the desire to pursue union representation in your role as RAs.
Specifically, the Georgetown Resident Assistant Coalition (“GRAC”) requested that the University voluntarily recognize Local 153 of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (“OPEIU”) as their collective bargaining representative without an election. OPEIU simultaneously filed an election petition with the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”).
I want to take the time in this email to talk through our response to that request and Georgetown’s commitment to you.
First, the NLRB exercises federal oversight over unionization and worker protections. Once an election petition has been filed, the NLRB administers an election by secret ballot. This ensures that all individuals who would be represented by a union can cast their vote free from intimidation, coercion, and pressure from either their peers or their employer.
The University believes that an election is an important piece of any unionization process. The nature of that process is important so that we can ensure that each RA has the opportunity to exercise their individual and voluntary choice, through an election, to determine if they wish to be represented by a union. Georgetown is committed to compliance with those democratic principles and has engaged in an election process with each of the unions that represents employees on our campus.
Georgetown emphasizes the importance of the election process through the University’s Just Employment Policy. Georgetown respects employees’ rights to freely associate and organize, which includes voting for or against union representation without intimidation, unjust pressure, undue delay or hindrance in accordance with applicable law.
For this reason, the University and I will work collaboratively with OPEIU to reach an agreement on how to hold an election this semester. If a majority of RAs vote to form a union, with OPEIU as their representative for collective bargaining, the University will abide by the result.
This expression of interest in creating a union marks an important moment. I encourage all RAs to gather information about OPEIU, the union election process, and their rights under federal labor law. Because this is a process that is governed by the principle of majority rule, we encourage all RAs to educate themselves and for all current RAs to then participate in the election process so that all voices can be heard.
As students of the University, it’s important to me that you have access to information and university resources. To support this conversation, we have developed a website to provide information to our community as well as guidance for faculty and staff. Please visit georgetown.edu/RAUnion. This website will be updated as this process moves forward.
I recognize and respect that this process will be guided by legal principles and relates to your roles as RAs. I also want to ensure that our students have the ongoing support of the University in their role as students. The Dean of Students, Claudia Arias-Cirinna, and myself are always available to serve as a resource to you within the University if you have any questions in the coming days.
As students and RAs, you matter to me and to Georgetown. Georgetown and I are grateful for all that you do for each other and our students through your service as RAs.
With respect,
Dr. Eleanor JB Daugherty, EdD
Vice President for Student Affairs