The graduate student workers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) reached a significant milestone on October 1, when they participated in their first bargaining session to negotiate a union contract. These workers, part of a joint program between WHOI and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), have been organizing their union since early 2023. Inspired by successful union drives by graduate workers at other institutions, particularly MIT, the WHOI workers were determined to secure better protections and benefits.

Their organizing efforts were fueled by the desire to ensure that all graduate workers, regardless of their funding source, are treated equally under their employment terms. In the spring of 2024, they sought voluntary recognition, but WHOI’s administration presented a recognition agreement that excluded graduate fellows, students funded through fellowships rather than directly by MIT. This exclusion was a major sticking point for the workers, who rejected the agreement. Determined to represent all students, the workers organized a petition that gathered more than 100 signatures from their peers, professors, scientists, and staff. Workers and allies from various departments also came together to support the union in campus speak-outs. By July 2024, the union was officially verified, and a bargaining committee was elected.

The first bargaining session on October 1 marked a pivotal moment for the campaign. “Being in the same room as high-ranking WHOI administration and presenting the concerns we’ve gathered from students was surreal,” said Brynn Hamilton, a fourth-year graduate student at WHOI. “They have to listen and respond to us now; it was such a satisfying moment.” Hamilton, who joined the union campaign in late spring, has found the process empowering. "Having a graduate student union gives us autonomy over our working conditions."

Levi “Veevee” Cai, a sixth-year graduate student who was previously involved in MIT’s Graduate Student Union (UE Local 256), echoed Hamilton’s sentiments. “Our unique situations, whether it’s transit, housing, or fieldwork, brought us together. It was surprisingly easy to organize because we already support each other so much,” he said.

A key goal of the union is to eliminate the two-tiered system at WHOI, where students funded through MIT have access to better benefits, such as vision and dental coverage, while fellows do not. The union is focused on ensuring all workers are protected equally, regardless of their funding source or supervisor. One of their priorities is improving conditions for workers who conduct fieldwork in isolated or remote locations, where they often face physical and emotional challenges without adequate safety plans or breaks.”

Hamilton said, “Looking at survey results and seeing what students want has made me reflect on how a union can affect all aspects of our working environments. It’s about ensuring that experiences like fieldwork and lab work are as positive and safe as they can be.”

Another goal of the union is to ensure that fellows receive recognition for their contributions to WHOI, as they often maintain lab equipment and write grant proposals, in addition to their academic work.

WHOI graduate workers are also pushing for expanded benefits like vision and dental subsidies, which MIT workers have through their contract but WHOI workers do not yet have.

WHOI graduate workers have personalized aspects of their union organizing in line with the institution’s unique, ocean-based culture — including using their own spin on traditional union terms. They refer to their “Contract Action Team” as “OrCA,” or “Organizing for Collective Action,” and map workers in different areas into “surfs” rather than “turfs.”

As their bargaining continues, Cai praised the ongoing support from fellow students, stating, “We’re currently negotiating our first contract and showing non-economic proposals to WHOI. It’s been amazing to see how supportive the student body has been. It feels like we’re building each other up.”

Hamilton expressed excitement about formalizing a grievance process. “WHOI has done a good job protecting students, but there are still gaps. The union can help close those gaps, ensuring students don’t fall through the cracks.”

Both Hamilton and Cai are hopeful for long-term improvements at WHOI. Cai stressed the importance of accountability and transparency, adding, “Most students enjoy working at WHOI, but there are areas, like housing and financial security, where we need improvements. The union is fighting to make sure everyone, especially those from less affluent backgrounds, have the resources they need.”

“We’re not just advocating for ourselves; we’re building something that will benefit future generations,” Hamilton said.

WHOI graduate workers were assisted by Director of Organization Mark Meinster and Field Organizers Heather Hillenbrand and Esther Kamm.