University of Alaska workers vote to unionize

University of Alaska staff voted in favor of union representation, 1,106 to 610, with 1,716 eligible voters, according to an April 1 newsletter from UA Chief Human Resources Officer Nickole Conley.

Results will be certified on April 8, barring objections, establishing CAUSE-UAW as the exclusive representative of eligible UA staff for wages, hours and terms and conditions of employment, according to Conley.

CAUSE-UAW is a collective of University of Alaska staff who began seeking union certification in 2024 in affiliation with the United Auto Workers union, according to previous reporting by The Northern Light.

CAUSE-UAW spokesperson Bee Bequette spoke to The Northern Light about the university’s response to developments throughout the process of establishing the union. 

“It's been disappointing to see the misinformation and opposition from our employer, especially since we're the last major group of employees within the system to form a union,” said Bequette. “We very much look forward to bargaining in good faith with UA Admin.”

Bequette said the UA staff in CAUSE-UAW believe they sent a strong message through their vote and are excited to move on to the next step.

“UA Staff who are eligible to be part of CAUSE-UAW can expect a more direct relationship with UA Admin as bargaining equals, and that relationship comes with more transparency and widespread democratic participation from our entire unit,” said Bequette.

In the same newsletter announcing the election results, Conley said, “We will continue to make decisions that are in the best long-term financial interest of the University and our mission, and look forward to negotiating in good faith and in accordance with Alaska labor law.”