Strike: Grad Student FAQ

No. However, unions typically expect all members of the bargaining unit to strike and can take varying positions on members who do not wish to strike.

National labor law affirms that employees have the right to strike. Typically, contracts between a union and employer include provisions regarding strikes. A contract may include language allowing strikes or it may include language preventing strikes. Dartmouth and GOLD-UE are in negotiations and have not agreed upon any provisions regarding strikes.

Yes, your student status will not be impacted by the strike. You should continue with your normal student activities, including attending classes and making normal academic progress toward degree completion.

You can continue to access facilities (such as research labs and offices) in your capacity as a graduate student.

Violence; property damage; threats; intimidation; blocking of building entrances, parking lots and garages; and picketing or protests inside Dartmouth buildings are examples of many kinds of conduct that are prohibited during a strike, just as they would be at other times.

Raucous picketing is protected by law, and people who choose not to strike or wish to enter buildings might be yelled at or criticized for doing so. Picketer behavior that escalates to verbal abuse, threats, or physical contact, or picketing that prevents people from being able to safely enter and leave buildings, should be reported to Safety and Security. Safety and Security can identify alternative entrances for students to use away from picketers, if available.

If a worker strikes, their employer typically withholds pay. Graduate students will not be paid if they do not perform their duties. If federal grant funding is involved, and graduate students are on strike and do not fulfill their project responsibilities or meet the regular effort that would be reported, then the duties not performed cannot be charged to sponsored funds.

At this time, Dartmouth has decided to provide the same tuition remission benefit in the event of a strike.

If your research-related responsibilities are part of your employment as a research assistant and you are choosing to strike, then Dartmouth cannot force you to work. If your research-related responsibilities are related to your academic progress, then a failure to complete these activities may be reflected in your grade.

If you are in the field engaged in research or teaching assistant activities, you may choose to strike.

If you are teaching a course or engaged in teaching assistant activities, you may choose to strike.

Requests for barrier relief funds will continue to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but will not be granted if the need is a result of striking.

If your teaching and/or research activities are academic and a requirement of your degree program, then your responsibility is to continue to make academic progress. If you do not make academic progress, or your academic performance is poor, your grades may be impacted.

The strike only impacts your employment activities. You are expected to continue your academic activities and make academic progress regardless of whether you are on strike. Your grades may be impacted by a failure to make progress.