Resident Assistant Union

What is a union?

A union is an organization that represents a specific group of employees (or “bargaining unit”) on matters concerning wages, hours, and terms and conditions of their employment. The results of the union’s and the employer’s negotiations on these matters are contained in a contract called a collective bargaining agreement (or “CBA”). The agreed-upon CBA typically includes rights and obligations for both the employees in the bargaining unit and the employer. A union also represents members of the bargaining unit when disputes arise between members and their employer.

How did undergraduate students serving as Resident Assistants at Georgetown come to be represented by a union?

On March 22, 2024, a group of undergraduate students serving as Resident Assistants who identified themselves as the Georgetown Resident Assistant Coalition (“GRAC”) requested that the University voluntarily recognize Local 153 of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (“OPEIU”) as the collective bargaining representative for undergraduate students serving as Resident Assistants at Georgetown without an election. OPEIU simultaneously filed an election petition with the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”). 

The RA union election was held on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. A majority of RAs voted in favor of unionization, with a count of 79-3. The NLRB, the federal agency that conducted the election, certified the election results on April 24, 2024. OPEIU now represents undergraduate students on the Hilltop Campus who serve as RAs.

Georgetown University and OPEIU negotiated in good faith to develop the first collective bargaining agreement for the RA union, which was ratified on May 9, 2025.

Who is covered by the bargaining unit?

The RA union consists of undergraduate students on the Hilltop Campus who serve as Resident Assistants during the academic year and/or summer terms. The exact composition of the group changes depending on who is currently serving as a Resident Assistant on the Hilltop Campus. 

What happens during collective bargaining?

Both the University and the union have a duty to negotiate (or “bargain”) in good faith toward an agreement regarding wages, hours, and terms and conditions of the bargaining unit’s employment. Both entities can put forth proposals and neither party is required to agree to any proposal, including wage increases and expectations for supervision. 

What is the scope of collective bargaining?

The National Labor Relations Act requires employers and unions to bargain collectively over “wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.” The scope of collective bargaining relates to the terms and conditions of the RA position. It does not include matters regarding RAs’ status as Georgetown students.

Were Resident Assistants involved in negotiating the collective bargaining agreement?

Yes. Over the course of more than a year following the certification of the RA union, Georgetown worked with RAs and OPEIU, their union, to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement. A majority of RAs voted to ratify the agreement on May 9, 2025.

How are issues or concerns addressed now that a union represents Resident Assistants?

Georgetown is committed to working with Resident Assistants and their union to ensure that all students living in residence halls have a safe environment conducive to academic and personal success.

Georgetown staff regularly engage with RAs and their union in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which provides informal and formal avenues for union and university representatives to discuss and resolve issues of mutual interest and concern. We are committed to working in good faith through the processes established in the CBA to discuss and address concerns.

Do Resident Assistants pay union dues?

It is typical for a union to require members of a bargaining unit to pay dues or analogous fees to the union. Questions regarding dues or other fees should be directed to GRAC/OPEIU.

Can individuals opt out of union representation?

No. Once a union is certified as the collective bargaining representative for a unit of employees, everyone employed within the bargaining unit is represented solely by the union, regardless of whether they voted or how they voted. 

As new students become RAs, including the ones hired for next summer or next academic year, do they automatically become part of the union?

Yes, if they are included within the bargaining unit, they will be represented by the union.

Are any Georgetown employees represented by unions?

Yes. Georgetown has a long history of working collaboratively with unions representing its employees. 1199SEIU has represented Georgetown’s facilities and maintenance employees for decades. Georgetown University police officers have similarly been represented by a union for decades and are currently represented by SPFPA. Main Campus adjunct faculty have been represented by SEIU Local 500 since 2013. Since 2018, graduate students enrolled in Ph.D. or Master’s programs in the Joint Office of Graduate Studies and who serve as Ph.D. Research Assistants, Ph.D. Teaching Assistants, and Ph.D. Teaching Associates, Graduate Research Assistants, Graduate Teaching Assistants, Student Research Assistants, and Student Teaching Assistants have been represented by the Georgetown Alliance of Graduate Employees (“GAGE”), which is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (“AFT”) as GAGE/AFT.

How have unions on Georgetown’s campus been formed?

All of Georgetown’s unions were established through an election process.

What is the NLRB?

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is a federal agency created to enforce the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The NLRA is a federal law passed in 1935 that provides most private-sector employees with the right to form, or not form, unions and bargain over wages, hours, and terms and conditions of their employment.

Does Georgetown allow employees to freely associate and organize?

Georgetown is deeply committed to its Just Employment Policy, which affirms employees’ right to freely associate and organize. The University respects the rights of employees to vote for or against union representation without intimidation, unjust pressure, undue delay or hindrance in accordance with applicable law.