University of Hawaii Graduate Assistants Sue for Right to Unionize

University of Hawaii grad assistants are suing to be considered public employees with the right to unionize and bargain, Star Advertiser reported.

Academic Labor United and three grad assistants filed suit Saturday in Circuit Court in Honolulu against the Board of Regents, the Hawaii Labor Relations Board and the state of Hawaii.

Although the state constitution gives public employees the right to unionize, the Hawaii Labor Relations Board determined in 1972 that grad assistants are not public employees.