UA staff votes to unionize

By Amber McCain

University of Alaska staff voted decisively to unionize, with 1,106 in favor and 610 against, marking a major victory for workers. As a result, a union called CAUSE-UAW will now represent staff in negotiations over better wages, benefits, and working conditions.

Unionized staff will no longer be eligible to serve on the staff council or staff alliance. Officers currently serving in these roles who are part of the bargaining unit will need to step down.

The university committed to maintaining current wages, hours, and working conditions while a first contract is negotiated. However, unionized staff will not be eligible for the proposed 3% salary increase for FY27, which will apply to nonunionized employees.

Nickole Conley, UA’s chief human resources officer, stated that the university respects the election outcome and will continue making decisions in the long-term financial interest of the institution. She added that initial contract negotiations could take over a year to finalize, and that the university will bargain in good faith within the constraints of its budget, determined by state and federal funding and tuition.

With 75% of eligible voters participating, the results will be officially certified on April 8.

This unionization effort follows similar victories by other local groups, including UA graduate workers, and is part of a growing trend of higher education unionization across the country.