“Graduate students at all institutions can organize on their campuses without recourse to the NLRB.”
In the meantime, we were slightly concerned that folks might misinterpret the current legal playing field and jump to conclusions that there was no possibility for graduate labor organizing. At present, the NLRB in no way bans student organizing. It has refused to recognize or enforce any collective bargaining rights on behalf of graduate student unions at private universities, but graduate students at all institutions can organize on their campuses without recourse to the NLRB. And in public institutions, which are subject to state legislation, collective bargaining rights have been consistently upheld. Of course, it would be far better if the NLRB acknowledged the obvious and recognized that graduate student workers are university employees. There are some reasons for hope: it is predicted that a change in administration next year would reverse the NLRB decision, and Ted Kennedy has recently proposed legislation that would overturn it. But until then, those interested in the future of their universities will continue to organize without waiting for the NLRB, using the best means available to us, such as your fantastic article in the Reader.
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The editors reply:
Paul T
I have just read the October 20, 2006, piece titled “Who Killed Ryan Harris?” online by Steve Bogira and would like offer my thanks for fine journalistic work. His piece is illuminating, well researched, well written, and altogether a credit to his ability and dedication as a journalist. On a personal note, I am a second-year law student who hopes to someday work for a prosecutor’s office in a large metropolitan area, and in my future career I will remember the lessons of the Ryan Harris case and encourage officers to investigate all crimes, and examine all theories, to the fullest.
- Conservatism has clear roots to Edmund Burke, John Locke, and the Enlightenment.
