Harvard Redefines Graduate Students' Employment Status, Removing Union Representation

Harvard University has reclassified over 800 graduate students receiving research-based stipends as non-employees under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), effectively removing them from the Harvard Graduate Students Union-United Automobile Workers (HGSU-UAW). The university communicated this change to faculty and union leaders on July 2, 2025, stating that stipend recipients do not perform services for the university in exchange for compensation and therefore do not have the right to unionize.

This decision aligns with recent National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rulings, notably a 2023 case involving the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In that case, the NLRB determined that certain graduate fellows were not employees under the NLRA and thus ineligible for unionization. The board concluded that these fellows received stipends as part of their academic pursuits, not as compensation for work controlled by the university.

Harvard's reclassification affects approximately 15% of the HGSU-UAW's 5,500-member bargaining unit. The university maintains that it has never agreed that non-employees should be included in the union.

The HGSU-UAW has expressed concern over Harvard's decision. Union president Sara V. Speller stated, "We are working closely with the UAW and exploring our options." The union has not yet indicated whether it intends to pursue a legal challenge.

This development comes amid ongoing negotiations for the union's third contract. The previous four-year contract expired on June 30, 2025, and negotiations have been marked by debates over observation policies and other contentious issues.

Harvard's move reflects a broader trend in higher education where universities are re-evaluating the employment status of graduate students. Similar actions have been observed at other institutions:

• Temple University (2023): Graduate student workers went on strike demanding better wages and benefits. The strike concluded with a contract that included significant pay increases and other benefits.

• Columbia University (2021–2022): Graduate student workers engaged in a prolonged strike over issues including wages and third-party arbitration in cases of discrimination. The strike ended with a contract addressing many of the union's demands.

These cases underscore the ongoing debates over labor rights and union representation within academic institutions.

Harvard's reclassification of graduate students as non-employees marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over graduate student labor rights. As universities and unions navigate these complex issues, the outcome of this decision may set a precedent for other institutions grappling with similar challenges.