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The Rights Of International Students To Join And Participate In Unions

Can I join a union in the United States if I am here on a foreign student visa?

Yes! As a university employee, you have the right to belong to a union. Graduate employee unions have existed for over 30 years in the US at schools like the University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin, and University of Oregon. None of these campuses have reported any complications arising from the dual status of being both an international student and a unionized employee. It is against the law for your employer (in this case the University) to discriminate against you on the basis of your union membership.

Will my union membership or activity affect visa applications I might make in the future?

No! It is against the law for the Department of Homeland Security to even ask you about your union membership or your legal union activities or to take them into account in considering your visa application.

Can I join or participate in union activities (such as picketing, rallies, leafleting, etc.)?

Yes! It is against the law for the University to discriminate against you or to take action against you for participation in legal union activities. All foreign students enjoy the same rights to freedom of expression and association as US nationals (with the exception of being an anarchist or a Communist). Union membership and participation is not considered evidence of either of these. The only relevant restriction on political activity by foreign students outlaws financial contributions by foreign students to political campaigns in the United States.

How about strikes? Isn't going on strike against the law? What could happen to me if I break the law?

In Wisconsin it is illegal for state employees, including graduate employees, to strike. However, when union members act in solidarity, it becomes very unlikely that individual union members will be punished. The union itself becomes the target for legal repurcussion. TAA members voted to go on a two day strike last April. The strike was very successful, with a lot of international TAs and PAs participating, and without any member suffering legal repurcussions. Not even the union was punished.

That's the law, but have there ever been any problems despite legal protection?

In the 35 years of graduate employee unionization there has been no reported instance of any international student having problems with U.S. law or with their visa status as the result of union activities.

That's great! How can I get involved?

Join the union!

You can join the union by simply filling out a membership card. Becoming an active, voting member of the TAA costs nothing, and it gives you a voice in your union. If you need a membership card, call the TAA at 256-4375 or e-mail the office.

Participate in the union!

The TAA is a volunteer-run organization. Member-volunteers make the TAA work, and just a few hours of volunteer time can make a huge difference. If you'd like to become active in the International Student Caucus contact the TAA at 256-4375 or e-mail the office for more information about upcoming meetings or information about the caucus and how to become more involved.

For more information, please consult The Rights of Aliens and Refugees: The Basic ACLU Guide to Alien and Refugee Rights. It is available in the TAA office - stop by and check it out!