Additional Information on Unionization

Dear CAs and RAs,

The decision by Skidmore’s CAs and RAs on whether to choose the Services Employees International Union to represent them in negotiations with the College will be made tomorrow. The National Labor Relations Board has scheduled the vote for Tuesday May 9, 2023, from noon to 2 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. in the conference room of Wyckoff Center.

If you are one of the 46 students who were employed as RAs and CAs as of April 14, 2023, you are eligible to vote, and we strongly urge you to do so. This decision will be made by a majority of the students who vote, and all continuing and future community assistants and resident assistants will be bound by the results of this election.

In my prior communications, I have stated that the College believes that the decision of unionization belongs to you. The College has sought to ensure that everyone's voting rights are protected, and that you receive the information that you need in order to make this important decision. We have provided relevant information and answers to questions that have been raised, including about the voting and bargaining process. The questions and answers that we have shared have all been posted on the Dean of Students website. 

For those of you who have questioned why incoming RAs and CAs are not eligible to vote in the upcoming election, it is important to understand that the National Labor Relations Board generally sets the eligibility based on which employees are actively employed at the time of the election. In most workplaces, the makeup of a proposed bargaining unit is relatively stable with employees remaining in their roles following the election. In a college setting, student leaders such as RAs and CAs may choose not to return to these roles after the end of an academic year to take on other roles and responsibilities, pursue other interests, or graduate. This has led to a situation where (1) some students who will not be affected by the outcome of the union election will nevertheless be eligible to cast a ballot in that election, and (2) some students who will be affected by the outcome of the election will not be permitted to vote. 

Another question that has been raised is when the first collective bargaining agreement might be in place if the union is elected. There is no fixed timetable. If a union is elected and certified, the union would determine the makeup of its negotiating committee and then negotiations with the College would begin. The two parties typically meet on a regular basis and exchange information, discussing non-monetary issues first. Initial contracts can take a year or longer to negotiate. Until the first collective bargaining agreement is approved, no changes in compensation or other terms of employment are permitted.

The College greatly values and respects the contributions of our CAs and RAs to our residential life program at Skidmore and the impact of these contributions on our students. Please know my staff and I continue to be here to answer your questions and support you throughout this process. Please visit the Information on Possible Unionization of RA and CAs webpage to see answers to other frequently asked questions.

Respectfully,

Adrian Bautista, PhD
Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs
Skidmore College
518-580-5760