GSWOC-UAW Local 872: Creating a stronger, more equitable USC

As Teaching Assistants, Research Assistants, Assistant Lecturers, and Fellows at USC, we grad workers do critical work that powers the prestigious teaching and research mission of USC. After winning our union in February 2023 with 93% voting YES, grad workers participated in mass, collective action to win a historic first contract.

Now that we have our first contract, the fight for a stronger and more equitable USC goes on! Together, grad workers organize to enforce our contract and further the fight to make life better here at USC. GSWOC-UAW Local 872 members are part of the national movement to empower academic workers across the country by advocating for increased research funding, fair visa and immigration policies in the US, and safer, more just working environments at all academic institutions.

We joined the UAW (International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America) to become part of one of the largest and most diverse unions in North America. Over 100,000 employees in higher education have already chosen to join UAW, including Graduate Student Workers at UCLA, Harvard, Columbia, NYU, University of Washington, and more.