The Student Worker Collective at Dartmouth (SWCD) is the union representing Dartmouth Dining Services (DDS) student workers and Undergraduate Advisors (UGAs/RAs). It seeks to advance the workplace rights of Dartmouth College student workers, as well as create a democratic campus where every community member who labors for Dartmouth has a say in its governance.

A labor union is an organization of workers within the same or comparable work environments. It is formed with the intent of collective power being an advantage to the workers in a number of ways, including, but not limited to, salary/wage negotiations, workplace disputes, availability of sick leave, etc. Labor unions allow workers to negotiate as equals with their bosses, furthering and cementing their gains.

Throughout the pandemic, Dartmouth has made key errors in managing its resources. It has often disregarded the well-being of its workers, students, and wider community members in a variety of ways. It cut already-insufficient wages, refrained from investing in mental health resources, and overworked its employees. SWCD believes that the pandemic only highlighted what are chronic problems plaguing Dartmouth’s governance. This is why we fought for a union: to provide student workers a voice on campus. It is working to win better workplaces and a better campus, and most importantly, secure and institutionalize those wins. SWCD will make Dartmouth a better place for everyone, by advocating for fair pay, community investments, and more.

We represent all student workers working at any capacity in Dartmouth Dining Services locations (Novack Cafe, Ramekin Cafe, Collis Cafe, Collis Market, Snackbars, Class of ‘53 Commons, and all other locations operated by DDS) regardless of D-Plan standing, hours of work or sublist status.

Yes! The Grinnell Union of Grinnell Student Dining Workers (UGDSW), the UChicago Student Library Employee Union (SLEU) and the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s residential advisors (RAPMU) have organized successfully on campus, winning wage raises and better workplace conditions. A rising tide of undergraduate student workers are continuing to organize, with Hamilton College Student Workers (UFCW Local 1) having recently won their union and Kenyon Student Worker Organizing Committee (K-SWOC/UE) organizing towards victory.

A shop refers to a set of workers with similar or comparable job titles, i.e. Novack or DDS workers.

Under the National Labor Relations Act, private sector employees are guaranteed the right to organize, and no action can be taken by an employer against their employees in response to unionization efforts. More information can be found on the website of the National Labor Relations Board.

All student employees, regardless of their immigration status, have the federally-protected rights to engage in activity with their co-workers concerning their working conditions, form a union, and collectively bargain with their universities. It is illegal for an employer to retaliate against any student employees for exercising their rights under the National Labor Relations Act.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) cannot ask questions about union membership or participation in lawful union activity. In addition, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recognized the importance of enforcing labor laws and signed an agreement with the Department of Labor (DOL) that states it is essential to ensure proper wages and working conditions for all covered workers regardless of immigration status.