ST. LOUIS — Saint Louis University (SLU) graduate student workers have formed a union, citing low wages, high health care costs, increased tuition fees and more by the university.

Dozens of SLU grad student workers have joined a national movement of academic workers unionizing with the United Auto Workers (UAW) Union.

More than 60 graduate student workers across many SLU departments voiced their concerns and shared their experiences on the Graduate Workers SLU Union website.

“SLU graduate workers are essential for our departments to function and succeed. Currently, the wages/stipends that we are paid are insulting,” said Mike Lhotak, a Law School graduate student.

“While our supervisors publish articles and our departments earn rewards from using our research, we do not make enough to provide for basic needs like food and transportation. This is immoral and not what our Jesuit Mission inspires to.”

Some SLU grad student workers advocate for the need of standardized parental and family leave policies, child care/child support, better working conditions and 12-contracts, especially for international students, among other needs.

“The current stipend and benefits package offered to graduate workers at Saint Louis University does not currently support a stable way of life in an uneasy and overinflated economy,” said Siobhan Perry, a grad student in the Earth and Atmospheric Sciences department.

“Unionization is the best way we can fight for higher wages and better health care while ensuring work conditions improve for each successive wave of employees. We are stronger together.”

A statement from the university says it respects the graduate student workers’ right to explore union representation and will honor the process that allows them to decide if they want to be represented by the UAW.

“At Saint Louis University, graduate students are essential members of our community of scholars. Their contributions — whether in research, teaching or other roles — are vital to our academic mission, and we deeply value their many contributions to the University,” the statement reads.

“We encourage all eligible graduate students to take the time to learn about what union representation could mean for them and to participate in the election process by casting their vote in the NLRB-supervised election.”

The statement continues to say, “No matter the outcome, the University remains committed to supporting our graduate students and to fostering an inclusive, collaborative environment where all students feel valued and heard.”