Pitt graduate student employees began voting in a four-day union election today.

The election open to some 2,000 graduate research and teaching assistants comes more than three years after graduate students began organizing under the auspices of the United Steelworkers in Jan. 2016.

The organizers said they were seeking safeguards against harassment and discrimination and a greater say in the university’s decision-making process regarding their positions.

The group that filed for a union election in Dec. 2017, faced a lengthy delay when Pitt officials filed objections, stating that the workers were students, not employees.

Last month, the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board ruled for the organizers, clearing the way for this week’s election.

Balloting has been scheduled for Monday through Thursday on Pitt’s Oakland campus.

A contingent of Pitt faculty members also is seeking union representation. They filed a petition in January with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board seeking a union election.

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