The National Labor Relations Board has postponed a hearing with Berea College students hoping to form a labor union for the second time.
The hearing, which would have collected testimony before a potential union vote, was originally scheduled for March 27. The first postponement would have delayed the hearing to this Wednesday. It’s now scheduled for May 14.
A release from Berea College says the main reason for the delay is to allow time for the school to comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Student information could be shared as part of the hearing’s proceedings.
The United Student Workers of Berea announced their plans to organize under the Communications Workers of America banner last month. The school requested an indefinite postponement days after the group’s original filing.
Supporters say a union is the best chance to negotiate with the college on issues like better workplace safety, higher wages and a formal grievance system.
Those opposed say a union is incompatible with Berea’s “work college” model, and that students can’t be recognized as workers.
Students will be able to take a union vote depending on the hearing’s outcome.
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