NEW: Updated Guidance on Union Organizing Now Available

June 6, 2025

The News: UA’s Labor Relations Team is sharing updated and widely requested guidance on union organizing activities. These resources draw from University Policy and regulations, and Alaska Law, and are available at alaska.edu/union-organizing. 

Why It Matters: UA leadership is aware that a group of staff members affiliated with the United Auto Workers (UAW) is in the process of preparing a petition to organize a new union. 

  • University policy and Alaska law have specific rules on what kind of organizing efforts are appropriate in the workplace, violations of which could subject employees to disciplinary action, and the University to sanctions from the Alaska Labor Relations Agency (ALRA).
  • Take a few moments to review the information and make sure you understand it.

The Basics: As a general rule, union organizing activities are allowed at UA if they adhere to three core principles: Place, Function, and Time. These principles ensure that our employees can continue doing their jobs without interruptions while maintaining the right to organize.

  1. Place: Organizing activity and discussions can happen in spaces that do not disrupt work or educational program activities. 
    1. Public spaces - building hallways and atriums, or sidewalks - are generally permissible places for organizing activity, unless the activity interferes with employees actively performing their job duties or participation in educational program activities. Offices, cubicles, and reception areas are a few examples of places where organizing activity would be inappropriate.
  2. Function: Organizing cannot interrupt employees’ preparation for or execution of their work tasks. 
    1. For example, engaging with staff at their workstation or counter during work hours is not allowed.
  3. Time: Organizing activities by employees must occur during non-work hours, such as breaks or lunch, and not disrupt or interrupt the work hours of others.

Supervisors and managers will ask organizers whose activity doesn’t adhere to those principles to leave the workspace and return to a more public area. If you’re unsure about a specific situation, visit alaska.edu/union-organizing for answers to FAQs, or reach out to your supervisor or manager.

The Details: Be sure to review the additional resources and frequently asked questions for more details. 

    • Using university resources for organizing activity is not allowed. University email, laptops, and other resources can’t be used to promote or support union organizing.
    • Keep organizing to off-work time. Organizing must happen during your own time, or on breaks (like lunch), not during work hours.
  • Stick to shared or public spaces. Union organizing activities can only occur in public or shared areas like building hallways and atriums, or on sidewalks, not in offices, cubicles, or reception areas.
  • No workplace disruptions. Organizing can’t interfere with normal workplace operations or other employees’ ability to work.
  • University-sponsored employee groups can’t participate. Committees, governance groups, and other university-created employee teams can’t support union efforts; doing so is likely a conflict under state law.
  • Off-campus, off-hours activity is always OK. Organizing activity is unrestricted if it happens off university property and on personal time using non-university resources.

Go Deeper: See all of the guidance and additional information at alaska.edu/union-organizing. 

The Bottom Line: The University respects the rights of its employees to unionize and is aware that current staff unionization efforts are raising questions. UA and university leadership greatly value the work of every faculty and staff member and remain committed to an open and respectful dialogue.