DURHAM, N.C. — Earlier this week the Duke Graduate Students Union successfully voted to unionize, making it the first private university graduate union in the south. 

While the members, who voted 88% in favor, say they have a long battle ahead, the group now heads to the negotiation table.

What You Need To Know

  •  88% of voters were in favor of the union

  •  The group becomes the first graduate student union at a private university in the south

  •  Their demands include better pay and improved health care

The first day of classes hasn’t even begun for Matthew Thomas and his fellow graduate students, but they are already making noise on campus. 

“This is the biggest union win that North Carolina has seen since the Smithfield hog plant out east unionized," Thomas said. "This is just a big victory, and we’re all feeling really good.” 

The group of graduate students says for far too long they have been unappreciated and underpaid. 

“During the school year we are expected to teach to make our salary. It’s not quite a living wage," said Lauren Jenkins, a graduate student. "On top of that we are expected to accomplish research and fulfilling duties in our labs and programs.” 

The union’s demands include an increase in annual stipends and improved health care support.

Becoming the first private university graduate union in the south, they hope to set the tone for others. 

“There’s a real movement going on for graduate students around the country moving to unionize," Thomas said. "Some 45,000 grad students have moved to unionize around the country this year alone.”

In a statement from the university it reads in part: “Duke has always cared deeply about our graduate students. We look forward to working with representatives from Southern Region Workers United on the shared goal of making the graduate experience at Duke the very best it can be."

Now at the table working with Duke through collective bargaining, Thomas says their demands will be heard. 

“You know a thousand of us came out and voted yes during a summer election when a lot of folks are not in Durham, often not in the U.S.," Thomas said. "I think it just shows that we have a really strong support on campus.”