A year after voting to unionize and more than seven months after beginning bargaining, Georgetown University resident assistants (RAs) finalized a proposed contract with the university April 14.
Members of the resident assistants’ union, the Georgetown Resident Assistant Coalition (GRAC), must next vote to approve the contract, with a vote currently planned for early May. The proposed contract has a four-year term and includes agreements on a $1,750 semesterly stipend for RAs, automatic hiring for RAs in good standing, arbitration grievances and the creation of a labor management committee to dictate issues regarding RAs and facilitate RA trainings.
Izzy Wagener (SFS ’26), the interim vice chairperson of GRAC and an RA in Kennedy Hall, said she is proud of GRAC and RAs’ work to create the contract.
“It’s just crazy to look back and see how far we’ve come,” Wagener told The Hoya. “I think we’ve achieved a lot in a short period of time and have a lot to be proud of, so I’m looking forward to next year when we’ll actually see the benefits of this contract.”
A university spokesperson said the university faithfully bargained with GRAC and their union representation from Local 153 of the Office of Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU).
“The University values the contributions of Resident Assistants and has worked in good faith with OPEIU to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement,” the spokesperson wrote to The Hoya.
To ratify the final contract, the majority of GRAC members must vote to approve it. If the RAs vote against ratifying the contract, GRAC and OPEIU will reenter bargaining with the university.
Sam Lovell (CAS ’25), the interim chairperson of GRAC and an RA in Copley Hall, said tentatively agreeing to a contract is a reward for student workers’ solidarity.
“I hope it motivates other student workers who might be facing similar situations in their own workplace here on campus to unionize and to see that it’s something that’s possible,” Lovell told The Hoya. “Personally it’s been really rewarding: It has informed what I want to do for my career, it has informed a lot of how I spent my final year here on the Hilltop. So, I’m really grateful, and it was such a great exercise of community solidarity.”
The contract agreement came during the two sides’ 13th bargaining session. This final bargaining session saw GRAC and the university address compensation, along with management rights, future bargaining rights and “no strike, no lockout,” a standard provision in union contracts that prevents the union from striking unless there is an unfair labor practice.
Compensation had been a sticking point in previous negotiations: After reaching agreements on training and language related to RA sanctioning and guidelines during their ninth bargaining session Feb. 25, the two sides had negotiated compensation during their 10th, 11th and 12th sessions March 13, April 7 and April 11 without reaching an agreement.
GRAC initially proposed a stipend of $5,950 per semester but lowered their proposal to $2,000 after multiple rounds of negotiations. The university’s first offer was $1,066 per semester, but they increased their offer to $1,500.
According to Lovell, GRAC and the university agreed to a final stipend of $1,750 per semester as a compromise between the two values after the university declared $1,750 its “last, best and final offer.” After agreeing to the offer, negotiations formally ended, legally requiring GRAC to present the proposal to its membership.
Lovell said compensation has long been a top priority for GRAC.
“A rising tide lifts all ships,” Lovell said. “I’m excited that every RA will be $3,500 better off.”
Wagener said she is satisfied with the stipend of $1,750, yet hopes GRAC and the university revisit this number when they renegotiate the contract in four years.
“RA compensation has obviously been such an important issue and something that we’ve been working towards,” Wagener said. “I think there’s always room for improvement and hopefully we’ll see that improvement the next time the contract is negotiated.”
“I am happy that RAs will now have that additional financial support,” Wagener added. “That extra stipend I think will do a lot for many RAs, whether it goes towards buying food or other costs that we have.”
Wagener said the process of bargaining has been rewarding after previous dissatisfaction with the university.
“I’m just really looking forward to seeing the change that it brings,” Wagener said. “I’m excited to hopefully see that RAs don’t have to go through the kinds of things that me and other people I work with went through.”
Lovell said he hopes productive conversations continue between RAs and the university.
“The announcement today that we are preparing to share with our membership will be greeted, hopefully joyfully, by both sides as an indication that we’re moving past some of the more challenging processes of the past year,” Lovell said.
