Who Can Join?
GSOC-UAW Local 7902 is the union that has represented graduate employees at NYU in negotiations over the terms and conditions of their employment since 1998. IN 2002, GSOC became the first union of graduate employees at a private university to reach a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with their employer. In any given semester, We represent over 2,000 graduate workers employed by NYU as Teaching Assistants, Adjunct Instructors, (Social Science) Research Assistants, Graduate Assistants, and hourly workers.
As an agency shop, all graduate workers in unionized positions are entitled to the benefits negotiated by the union, and GSOC represents everyone covered by the contract, regardless of their union membership status. It is mandatory for all current workers to receive, sign, and return a Local 7902 union card. Complete both sections of the care to be an active, voting union member in good standing.
On-Campus Hourly Workers
Such as department assistants, library workers, etc.. M.A. and Ph.D. students employed for hourly work in on-campus jobs are part of GSOC.
Graduate Assistants
M.A. and Ph.D students employed by NYU offices or departments, often to perform administrative work, are covered by GSOC except Graduate Assistants employed by the School of Medicine. Graduate Assistant at the School of Medicine are not recognized as eligible for union coverage, as of our 2021 CBA.
PhD Research Assistants
PhD students employed in research with formal 20-hour-per-week appointments for a semester or academic year are part of GSOC, except for Research Assistants in Tandon (Polytechnic Institute), Biology, Chemistry, Neural Science, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Psychology. Research Assistants employed in the previously named departments are NOT recognized by NYU as eligible for union coverage, as of our 2021 CBA.
Graduate Teachers
M.A. and Ph.D students employed as Teaching Assistants, Adjunct Instructors (AIs), and Course Assistants (CAs) are part of GSOC. Typically, AIs lead recitations while CAs do not lead recitations but attend lectures. grade assignments, and hold office hours. For the same course, you might be employed in multiple teaching appointments, such as both AI and CA. Refer to your appointment letter(s) for your official appointment types (s). Ph.D student adjuncts beyond their seventh year and MBA candidates at Stern are NOT eligible to join the union.
If you believe you are employed in a unionized position but have not received a Local 7902 card (and/or have received an outdated Local 2110 card), please email us at gsoc@actuaw.org!
Carve Outs
GSOC recognizes that NYU and its reputation as a research university depends upon the labor of all graduate workers, whether or not they are employed in a position currently covered by the contract.
However, as of our 2021 contract, NYU does not recognize graduate workers employed in the following positions as covered by GSOC’s contract:
Graders and Tutors
Graders and Tutors do not lead recitation, grade assignments, and are paid a lump sum for the semester regardless of hours worked. If you are employed in another unionized positions (e.g. AI, CA, or hourly work), you receive union coverage only for those roles. If you are employed only as a Grader, you are not covered by our contract. Refer to your appointment letter(s) for your official appointment type(s).
Proctors
Proctors are not recognized as part of GSOC until you work 20 hours over the semester.
STEM Research Assistants
M.A. and Ph.D. students in Tandon, Biology, Chemistry, Neural Science, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Psychology departments employed exclusively in research roles are not eligible for union coverage, per our 2021 CBA. Research Assistantships are often officially a 20-hour per week appointment for the mandatory research component of a graduate program, even though graduate research is usually at least a full-time equivalent commitment. If you are employed in another unionized position (e.g. AI, CA, or hourly work), you receive union coverage only for those roles) if you are employed only as a Research Assistant, you are not covered by our contract.
Graduate Assistants at the School of Medicine
M.B.A. Candidates at Stern
P.h.D Adjunct Instructors Beyond 7th Year
P.h.D students who are beyond their 7th year and working adjunct positions (this includes the title “Graduate Adjunct). If you are beyond your 7th year, you can still be part of GSOC by working a non-adjunct position (e.g., TA, CA, etc.)