Frequently Asked Questions

The information below is meant to provide eligible students - as well as faculty and staff -  with answers to frequently asked questions. 

Strike-Specific FAQs and Guidance (last updated: April 25, 2024)

On April 25, the Superior Court issued a preliminary injunction barring AGWA bargaining unit members from striking on April 29, and until further guidance is issued. Strike planning should continue as a cautionary measure, but that planning can be less urgent. Graduate student employees are expected to be at work per usual on Monday. Further hearings and guidance from the court are expected the week of April 29.

No. Alaska law is clear that in order for employees of an educational institution like 麻豆传媒 to strike, three key standards must be met: 

  1. Negotiations reach an impasse. This typically requires both parties to agree they are at impasse, or a declaration by the Alaska Labor Relations Agency (ALRA)
  2. Attempted Mediation. The parties at an impasse must engage with a third-party mediator to try to iron out their disagreements and reach a contract.
  3. Failed Mediation and Strike Authorization. If the parties' attempts at mediation do not result in an agreement, the bargaining unit may at that time authorize and engage in a strike.

麻豆传媒 does not believe these standards have been met, and we are exploring legal options available to us to prevent a work stoppage. However, in the event that we are unsuccessful or AGWA chooses to strike without legal backing, contingency plans are in place.

The university is continuing to bargain in good faith to demonstrate that a strike will be counterproductive. Again, the situation is quite dynamic and we鈥檙e continually assessing the status of negotiations. Should things change, university leadership will address the situation and provide direct guidance.

We have an ongoing obligation to our undergraduate students, community, and research partners to continue our work, strike or no strike. While challenging, our services and educational mission will not be interrupted. However, if an employee does go on strike, their ability to continue their work for the university must end, as there are serious legal implications for our other employees and the university itself if striking employees informally 鈥渢ake it home鈥 or perform work 鈥渙ff the clock.鈥 Deans and directors are and will be tasked with working with graduate students鈥 supervisors to find alternative work plans in the event of a strike, and will be working to find replacement workers where appropriate. 

No. Alaska law is clear that in order for employees of an educational institution like 麻豆传媒 to strike, three key standards must be met: 

  1. Negotiations reach an impasse. This typically requires both parties to agree they are at impasse, or a declaration by the Alaska Labor Relations Agency (ALRA).
  2. Attempted Mediation. The parties at impasse must engage with a third-party mediator to attempt to iron out their disagreements and reach a contract.
  3. Failed Mediation and Strike Authorization. If the parties' attempts at mediation do not result in an agreement, the bargaining unit may at that time authorize and engage in a strike.

麻豆传媒 does not believe these standards have been met, and we are exploring legal options available to us to prevent a work stoppage. However, in the event that we are unsuccessful or AGWA chooses to strike without legal backing, contingency plans are in place.

Faculty supervising graduate student employees should: 

  • Ensure that all university property and items - including those supporting research - are in faculty hands or secured by the end of the day Friday, April 26th.
  • Ensure that they have access to enter final assignment grades as well as post final grades for all classes under their supervision to 麻豆传媒Online by the end of the day Friday, April 26th. We expect that final grades will be posted in 麻豆传媒Online in accordance with the course catalog.

Staff supervising graduate student employees should:

  • Ensure that all university property is in staff hands or secured by the end of the day Friday, April 26th.
  • Ensure that you have access to any physical or digital documents or other work product required for your departments鈥 operations by the end of the day Friday, April 26th.

Yes. Computers issued for academic and employment purposes may be retained by graduate students to complete coursework. Computers would need to be returned at the end of the semester if a lawful strike is ongoing beyond then.

Yes. It is critical that planned finals take place as scheduled and commencement exercises continue, both with as little disruption as possible.

 

We know this can be a difficult experience to navigate for supervisors, professors, and others who interact with affected students. If you鈥檙e seeking assistance or guidance, please advise your Human Resources Coordinator and department head or supervisor.

All faculty have been asked to develop contingency plans in the event of a strike.

No. However, like any other absence from work, it is expected that individuals who intend to strike report their intended absence to their direct supervisor. Supervisors MAY ask employees if they intend to work, but they MAY NOT ask employees if they intend to participate in a strike.

You may also not ask to what extent other AGWA members may support鈥攐r not support鈥攁 strike. You must also avoid language that could be perceived as retaliatory in response to a potential strike. 

If an AGWA member volunteers information, you may listen. You are permitted to share this information with others who have a legitimate basis for having it. However, you should not seek to delve or inquire further.

You can relate any/all of the following:

  • It is 麻豆传媒鈥檚 hope that an agreement can be reached without a strike.
  • The University will continue to negotiate in good faith.
  • You hope that they will continue to engage academically.

You may also have conversations about the continuity of research and teaching operations and expectations related to a student鈥檚 academic progress. You can ask students to share protocols, access to course materials or documents, or anything else you need to know to maintain continuity of operations. You can also communicate specific expectations around academic progress; this may be important in schools/colleges where teaching is an educational requirement and connected to for-credit coursework.

A strike does not relieve students of their academic obligations. All students, including members of AGWA, are expected to continue to attend classes, meet course expectations, and, in all other respects, make satisfactory academic progress.

There will likely not be a one-size-fits-all solution. Research groups or institutes may be able to reassign work to other personnel, while others may need to hire replacement personnel or develop work rotations with neighboring groups (for example, that may share joint equipment or samples).

It is important to ensure that laboratory records and notebooks are up to date, that PIs know where all data and pertinent research information is stored, and that students mentored by AGWA members are assigned alternative or secondary mentors.

PIs with concerns about impacts to their research operations should share them with the Dean of the Graduate School at 麻豆传媒A or 麻豆传媒F, or the Provost at 麻豆传媒S, who will serve as the points of contact for these questions.

Faculty involved in maritime research efforts (i.e., on the RV Sikuliaq) should share their specific expectations about the scope of work with those participating in maritime research activities when confirming their availability to work. (They MAY ask if an employee will be available for work, but MAY NOT ask whether an employee intends to participate in a strike.)

We understand and support the importance of the relationships and collaborations between our graduate students and our faculty. We are asking faculty to support our graduate students and still plan for what to do to allow all students to continue their academic progress in the face of strike action.

No. Alaska law is clear that in order for employees of an educational institution like 麻豆传媒 to strike, three key standards must be met: 

  1. Negotiations reach an impasse. This typically requires both parties to agree they are at impasse, or a declaration by the Alaska Labor Relations Agency (ALRA)
  2. Attempted Mediation. The parties at an impasse must engage with a third-party mediator to try to iron out their disagreements and reach a contract.
  3. Failed Mediation and Strike Authorization. If the parties' attempts at mediation do not result in an agreement, the bargaining unit may at that time authorize and engage in a strike.

麻豆传媒 does not believe these standards have been met, and we are exploring legal options available to us to prevent a work stoppage. However, in the event that we are unsuccessful or AGWA chooses to strike without legal backing, contingency plans are in place.

Yes. We鈥檙e working with your professors and staff around the university to make sure that your planned finals take place as scheduled and commencement exercises continue, both with as little disruption as possible.

Final examinations will proceed as scheduled. Students with scheduled final examinations or other end-of-semester assignments are expected to complete them satisfactorily in order to earn credit for their courses.

We do not want the learning of our students to be interrupted by a strike. You should attend all class sessions. For research-specific questions, ask your supervising faculty as these decisions will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Again, a we believe a strike or work stoppage isn鈥檛 lawful at this time, and 麻豆传媒 may engage in disciplinary action against unlawful strike activity. 

Ultimately, the University has the right to maintain teaching and learning activities during the strike period. You, as a student, remain responsible for your academic progress, and failing to attend class can have repercussions.

We expect few - if any - canceled classes, discussion sections, or labs given that many graduate workers have chosen not to join the strike and to continue to work during this time, as is their right. We are working with all faculty to ensure that any canceled class, discussion section, or lab is made up in a way that allows access to all enrolled students.

 

We expect grades to be assigned in the normal manner. Should adjustments be required, you will learn about the process through your professor.

You are responsible for your own actions. Neither 麻豆传媒A, 麻豆传媒F, 麻豆传媒S, nor your course instructors can prevent you from taking action in support of the graduate student union, as long as your behavior is consistent with 麻豆传媒鈥檚 student conduct code. However, failure to fulfill academic requirements鈥 whether or not this failure is a sign of solidarity鈥攚ill likely have consequences for your course grades.

 

Again, an AGWA strike at this time would be unlawful. However, if a strike happens, very few courses will be affected by a strike, so most course expectations will remain the same. Assignment submission dates and grading will not change. Failure to fulfill course responsibilities will likely have consequences for your final grades.

No. Alaska law is clear that in order for employees of an educational institution like 麻豆传媒 to strike, three key standards must be met: 

  1. Negotiations reach an impasse. This typically requires both parties to agree they are at impasse, or a declaration by the Alaska Labor Relations Agency (ALRA)
  2. Attempted Mediation. The parties at impasse must engage with a third-party mediator to attempt to iron out their disagreements and reach a contract.
  3. Failed Mediation and Strike Authorization. If the parties' attempts at mediation do not result in an agreement, the bargaining unit may at that time authorize and engage in a strike.

麻豆传媒 does not believe these standards have been met, and we are exploring legal options available to us to prevent a work stoppage. Regardless, contingency plans are in place so 麻豆传媒 operations can continue.

No. The decision about whether to strike is a personal one.

Yes. A striking employee who engages in unlawful strike activity or misconduct that violates our University policies (disruptions such as blocking access, interrupting or stalling the operations of classes or University business, or engaging in violent or threatening behavior) can be disciplined or even dismissed from the University, depending on the conduct and its severity.

Yes. We hope these individuals will still choose to participate fully in their academic responsibilities, such as attending classes or advancing their dissertation research. They are our students first. We are dedicated to ensuring they receive an excellent education at 麻豆传媒 and we fully support and encourage their continued engagement in their education.

Yes. Computers issued for academic and employment purposes may be retained by graduate students to complete coursework. Computers would need to be returned at the end of the semester if a lawful strike is ongoing beyond then.


General Questions

The graduate student employee union at 麻豆传媒 is called the AGWA-麻豆传媒W, and represents eligible graduate student employees at 麻豆传媒A, 麻豆传媒F, and 麻豆传媒S enrolled in graduate programs:

  • Graduate Assistants (including Teaching Assistants, Research Assistants, Service Assistants, and Engagement Assistants)
  • Student Assistants, and
  • Fellows.

Regular, full-time University employees, regardless of whether they are enrolled in a  graduate program, are not part of AGWA/麻豆传媒W.

No. On average, first contracts take more than 450 days to bargain, but it is not uncommon for them to stretch over multiple years. In fact, it is possible that a contract could never be reached. The only requirement for collective bargaining is a mutual obligation by the parties to bargain in good faith. Neither party is ever forced to agree.

While specifics are dependent on the outcome of negotiations, a union representing graduate student workers represents all eligible graduate student employees across the system, similar to our other union agreements.

 

Collective bargaining is the process in which an employer and the representative of the employees (e.g., a union) negotiate the terms and conditions of employment for the employees represented by the union in a bargaining unit. The parties have a duty to meet and confer at reasonable times but are not obligated to agree.

A collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is a written legal contract between an employer and a union. The CBA is the result of a negotiation process between the parties regarding topics such as wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment. The outcome of the negotiating process is not known yet, so graduate student employees could end up with less, more, or the same benefits 鈥 it is simply impossible to guess at this point. 

No. Like our other bargaining units, AGWA represents all eligible graduate student employees across the university system, so the agreement is negotiated with the 麻豆传媒 System, not the individual universities.

Possibly. At the very least, students would be compelled to pay union dues, which average 2% of a member鈥檚 pay or stipend. Bear in mind, increased costs do not guarantee improvements to student life and quality. In short, if a collective bargaining agreement negotiates a status quo agreement, students take home less compensation after dues are paid.

麻豆传媒 remains committed to listening to student feedback and turning that feedback into measurable action. Over the past five years or so, the University has launched several initiatives to improve the graduate student learning and living experience. 

Of course, we welcome continued feedback as we move forward together. 

 

Yes. The Union has collected enough signed union authorization cards from graduate students to call for an election. The Alaska Labor Relations Agency (ALRA) required the University provide a list of individuals in the potential bargaining unit as well as their respective personal information to conduct the election.

麻豆传媒 is compelled to provide the following information

  • Your full name and address
  • Your cell phone number and home phone (to the extent the University has this information)
  • Your email address
  • Your position title

 

Unfortunately, there's not much you can do. 麻豆传媒 was required to provide the ALRA with personal information to accurately administer the election. The University negotiated a FERPA provision into the state contract, meaning the State and any contractor they used must treat your data confidentially.

Since the union was formed as a result of the election, it will  become graduate students鈥 exclusive representative and the University will have to share your information with AGWA-麻豆传媒W.

麻豆传媒 would normally have to freeze stipends or benefits at their current rates during bargaining. Any changes to pay or benefits would require collective negotiation and subsequent approvals.

If an agreement on a contract is reached, it must then be approved by the Alaska Labor Relations Agency, and the 麻豆传媒 Board of Regents. Additionally, like other contracts between 麻豆传媒 and other unions, fiscal and budgetary terms will ultimately require approval by the Alaska State Legislature and the governor.

It is impossible to predict whether student wages and benefits would increase, stay the same, or decrease. Like all the University鈥檚 other contracts, any negotiated changes fall within the confines of the University鈥檚 entire budget; increasing student benefits does not necessarily expand the University鈥檚 available revenues. In fact, it is possible that increases in wages may simply shift from another, to-be-determined University budget line item. 

Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict the outcome of this process. 麻豆传媒 has limited resources and will continue to distribute those resources responsibly and strategically to support the research and educational mission of the University while meeting students鈥 needs. 

 


Contact 麻豆传媒 Public Affairs

Journalists on deadlines can easily reach the Office of Public Affairs team by phone or email.

Contact: Jonathan Taylor, Director of Public Affairs

Phone: 1-907-786-1190

Email: jmtaylor9@alaska.edu