Union March Demands Yale ​“Neutrality”

By THOMAS BREEN | New Haven Independent

The sky opened up as the rally rounded onto Prospect Street, drenching hundreds of union-boosting Yalies and their allies as they marched towards Grove.

The downpour did little to dampen their spirits — or their voices. Though it did temporarily change their chant as they called for a union to represent graduate student-teachers.

What was: ​“What do we want?” ​“A union!” ​“When do we want it?” ​“Now!” transformed into: ​“Rain, rain, go away! We want to talk to Salovey!”

That was the scene Thursday evening as hundreds of Yale graduate teachers, students, workers, and researchers joined with supporters for a street-closing march in support of UNITE HERE Local 33.

That’s the Yale graduate union that — through various names and leaders and rally after rally after rally over the past three decades — has been trying to win the backing of fellow grads and the official recognition of the university in order to improve pay, healthcare, working conditions, and other benefits for their members.