Meghan Holden

Journal & Courier

Following in the footsteps of graduate students at Purdue, a group of Indiana University graduate employees is advocating for a union.

Like those at Purdue University, the graduate students involved in the Indiana University Graduate Employees United group say they face exploitative labor practices and low wages.

"(A union) would fight for graduate employees and their needs, such as establishing standardized contracts that lay out employment expectations and responsibilities," the group's Facebook page says. "It would also advocate for higher wages and necessary funds, such as full travel grants to professional conferences, because although graduate employees are required to attend conferences, costs are largely paid out of pocket."

Indiana University Graduate Employees United posted a video to its Facebook page Wednesday that shared the story of a graduate employee, "Megan," who's struggling to make ends meet.

The video says Megan teaches two undergraduate courses and takes three graduate seminars, on top of other duties required of graduate students. She works 60 to 70 hours each week and makes $1,300 a month, or less than $5 an hour.

She suffers from heightened anxiety, insomnia, emotional and physical exhaustion, the video says, and often has to chose between buying school supplies or groceries.

“At many times Megan feels hopeless," the video's narrator said, "and her situation is all too common.”

A member from Indiana University Graduate Employees United said the group is waiting to talk to the Journal & Courier until its members can speak together as a group.

A representative from Indiana University wasn't immediately available for comment.

A group of Purdue graduate students announced its plans to unionize two weeks ago. The students within the Coalition of Graduate Employees at Purdue University have been supportive of their fellow students at Indiana University via Facebook and have told the more than 220 people who like the Purdue page to support IU's efforts as well.

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