Faculty, staff, and student workers at the University of Colorado are calling for collective bargaining rights across campuses, from Boulder to Colorado Springs. This push kicked off earlier this week with rallies in Boulder, Denver, and Anschutz.
Chloe East, an associate professor of economics at CU Boulder, noted that over 40 people attended the Boulder rally. “We had speakers from all walks of campus life—tenure-track faculty, non-tenure-track faculty, students, and staff—who shared what collective bargaining means to them,” she explained. East is also the vice president of the United Campus Workers of Colorado, the union representing these groups.
East highlighted a worrisome trend: the shift away from hiring permanent faculty and staff. This change impacts not just tenure-track positions but also research opportunities and student learning. “It’s really about the culture on campus and what’s being prioritized,” she said. Many institutions are replacing professional research assistants with graduate assistants who earn less pay and have no long-term job security. “This churn creates a disappointing model that leaves many without stable careers.”
Despite being Colorado’s largest employer, the University of Colorado faces one of the lowest public higher education funding rates in the nation, adding pressure on workers. “We are the only state with a democratic governor and a legislative majority that lacks collective bargaining rights for public higher education workers,” East pointed out. “This should have happened long ago.”
Although each CU campus has unique challenges, low wages and concerns about academic freedom are common themes driving the union efforts. Faculty at CU Boulder are particularly concerned about threats to academic freedom, especially in light of the recent political climate. “We’re organizing against the loyalty oath the Trump administration pushed on many universities,” East said. This concern enhances the urgency for collective bargaining.
On Thursday, organizers from all campuses will rally at CU Colorado Springs—timed with a Board of Regents meeting. Jess Ellis, President of United Campus Workers Colorado and a researcher at CU Anschutz, believes now is a crucial time for unionization. “We are public workers, and our research and classrooms benefit the public,” she noted.
Rallies like these reflect a growing energy in the Colorado labor movement, highlighting the push for better working conditions in education. The ongoing dialogue about labor rights in academia resonates widely, as discussions of job security and academic integrity continue to gain traction.
For more on labor rights in education, you can check additional resources on the American Federation of Teachers.
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