Update on Staff Unionization Efforts

October 3, 2025

The Latest: The Alaska Labor Relations Agency (ALRA) has scheduled a hearing for December 8–10, 2025, with the University of Alaska (UA) and Coalition of Alaskan University for Staff Equity (CAUSE).

Catch Up Quick: The University has been working to determine which employees are eligible to be represented by the union, should it ultimately be formed. This hearing with the ALRA is the next step in the process.

  • Why It Matters: At the hearing, attorneys for UA and CAUSE will present arguments and evidence about whether certain employees or groups of employees should be included on or excluded from the final roster of employees eligible for union representation. 
  • Zoom Out: Under Alaska Labor law, supervisory and confidential employees aren’t allowed to be in the same bargaining unit as other employees. 
  • In some cases, jobs or roles may overlap or be ambiguous, and the hearing will clarify which employees are eligible to potentially be represented by CAUSE.

Timelines: If the hearing concludes as scheduled, the ALRA will issue a written decision defining the final roster. There is no set timeline for the decision. An election would take place sometime after the ALRA decision is issued. 

What’s Next: UA and CAUSE are currently reviewing information about UA employee positions. UA and CAUSE will work together to resolve as many questions as possible regarding employee positions before the December hearing. Any unresolved issues may be decided by the ALRA.

  • The ALRA has developed questionnaires to help determine employees’ potential supervisory or confidential status. 
  • What to Watch For: In the coming days, the ALRA questionnaires will be emailed to some employees utilizing a NextGen link. The questionnaires should be completed and signed by both the employee and supervisor.
  • Employees whose eligibility is in question will be notified by Labor and Employee Relations (LER) over the next three to four weeks, with some notifications starting as early as October 6. 

Further Details: We’ll share additional FAQs and updates as the ALRA process moves forward. The ALRA has also provided additional guidance on how supervisory and confidential positions may be viewed, which will also be shared on our FAQ page in the near future. 

The Bottom Line: UA is committed to ensuring this process is fair and thorough. If you have questions about whether your position might be eligible, contact UA Labor Relations at ua-ler@alaska.edu.

Explore Further: Questions about what organizing activity is appropriate in the workplace? Find details here.