Kansas Public Employee Relations Board Orders Count of Union Ballots at University of Kansas

The Kansas Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) has ordered a formal count of contested ballots in the unionization election for graduate teaching and research assistants at the University of Kansas (KU). The decision, issued following advocacy by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), marks a significant step in the ongoing labor dispute regarding graduate student representation at the Lawrence campus.

Why the Kansas PERB Issued the Order

The Kansas PERB intervened to resolve disputes over which graduate employees were eligible to vote in the unionization election. According to official board records, the decision mandates that the state agency open and count ballots that had been previously set aside due to challenges regarding the employment status of individual voters. The board determined that a definitive count is necessary to ensure the election results accurately reflect the will of the bargaining unit, which seeks to organize under the IAM banner.

What Happens Next for KU Graduate Workers

Once the ballots are counted, the Kansas PERB will certify the final election results. If a majority of the verified votes favor union representation, the IAM will be recognized as the exclusive bargaining representative for graduate teaching and research assistants at the University of Kansas. This process follows a long-standing effort by graduate students to address concerns regarding stipends, workplace conditions, and benefits. The university administration has stated it will comply with the board’s official administrative protocols throughout the certification process.

Background on the IAM Organizing Effort

The push for unionization at KU is part of a broader trend of graduate student organizing across U.S. public universities. The IAM, which represents workers across various industrial and technical sectors, has provided institutional support for the KU campaign. Unlike previous organizing attempts that stalled in internal committee reviews, this effort utilized the formal procedures established under the Kansas Public Employer-Employee Relations Act. This legal framework provides a structured path for public employees to petition for collective bargaining rights, provided they meet specific criteria regarding their status as university employees.

Key Facts Regarding the Election

• Organizing Body: International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM).
• Bargaining Unit: Graduate teaching and research assistants at the University of Kansas.
• Governing Agency: Kansas Public Employee Relations Board (PERB).
• Primary Objective: Formal certification of union representation for collective bargaining.

Comparison of Labor Organizing Trends

The current situation at the University of Kansas reflects a shift in how graduate workers approach labor relations compared to the last decade. In the past, many graduate student groups functioned primarily as advocacy associations without formal collective bargaining power. Today, groups are increasingly seeking legal recognition through state boards, similar to the processes used by municipal or state employees. This legal strategy mirrors recent successful unionization efforts at other large public research institutions, where graduate students have leveraged state labor board rulings to compel university administrations to the bargaining table.

The final count of the ballots will determine whether the University of Kansas joins the growing number of institutions where graduate research and teaching staff operate under a collective bargaining agreement.