Postdoctoral researcher unionization is the formation of labor unions by postdoctoral researchers (postdocs). It has been driven by increasing competition for scarce tenure-track faculty positions, leading to more people residing in postdoctoral positions for a longer time. Unions often challenge the low pay, minimal benefits, and lack of job security that are typical of postdoctoral positions.[1] Unionizing is however sometimes seen as creating a culture clash of tension between postdocs and their academic advisors, and some question the suitability of a union for a temporary position. Some universities seek to avoid pushes for unionization by proactively addressing the concerns of postdoctoral researchers.[2]
Postdoctoral unions exist only at a few universities. They have often been formed with the help of other unions at the same institution; for example, before the University of Massachusetts Amherst union was formed, postdoctoral researchers were the only class of employees not already part of a union.[2] The National Postdoctoral Association, which is a professional association rather than a labor union, is officially neutral on the issue of postdoctoral unionization.[3] The Boston Postdoctoral Association, the largest 501c(6) postdoctoral organization and largest regional organization, has not publicly declared a position on postdoctoral organization.[4]
History
The first stand-alone postdoctoral researcher union was UAW Local 5810 at the University of California system.[1] As of 2010 it represented about 6,400 postdoctoral researchers,[2] which was estimated to be about 10% of the United States total,[5] and is the largest postdoctoral researcher union in North America.[6] Efforts to form this union had begun in the early 2000s, and it was officially formed in 2008.[7] Its first contract was ratified in August 2010. This led to establishing a minimum salary with annual increases, the availability of insurance benefits, guaranteed vacation time, paid maternity leave, and just cause protections for discipline or dismissal.[1][8]