Research Assistants Vote Overwhelmingly for a Union

Last week, research assistants (RAs) at the University at Albany-State University of New York (SUNY) Research Foundation won their National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election with over 98 percent voting in favor of joining CWA. The unit of 214 RAs will join the 4,700 graduate student workers and over 1,300 RAs at SUNY who are already represented by CWA Local 1104. The university took a neutral position, opening the way for organizers to move quickly. Research assistants at SUNY-Binghamton in Binghamton, N.Y., joined CWA through a similar process in 2025.

The majority of these newest members are international students conducting scientific research. Similar work and groups have been targeted across the country for program cuts and possible deportation. Participating in a union drive in the current political climate is a demonstration of their commitment to one another and to bettering the lives of all workers.

SUNY-Albany members will now focus on necessary improvements to their standard of living, safety at work, professional development, and protections as international student workers.

 
Resident assistants at the University at Albany-State University of New York Research Foundation have run a successful campaign to join CWA.

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This post originally appeared on cwa-union.org.