CAUSE-UAW

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University of Alaska staff are getting closer to finally being certified so that we can start bargaining with UA to improve our working conditions and create a more equitable university. In the upcoming Union Representation Election, all eligible UA staff will cast votes to determine whether to form our union as CAUSE-UAW. A strong turnout of YES votes for CAUSE-UAW will enable us to quickly certify our union and show we’re serious about bargaining for better working conditions!

Voting will run from 9:00 AM on March 18 to 4:00 PM on March 31. Eligible voters will receive an email from Intelivote including a pin enabling them to vote either online or over the phone by March 18. We expect the results to be tallied on April 1st.

Click Here to Commit to Voting for CAUSE-UAW

Click For More Information:

Get the Facts: The Power of a Union

Make an Informed Choice! Election and Voting FAQs

25-1807-RC Voter Email Final v3.0 - ALRA 2026.pdf

If you’re eligible you will receive voting instructions at your UA email address.

From: Voter Info <voterinfo@intelivote.com>
Date: March 18 @ 9 AM
Subject: Voter Instructions and Notice of Election for CAUSE UA Representation Election

Don’t forget to check your spam folder! If you think you are eligible but didn’t receive information, please contact the Alaska Labor Relations Agency (ALRA) right away at 907-269-4895. You can also contact us at info [at] cause-uaw [dot] org.

Get the Facts: The Power of a Union

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For Website Comparison Chart.pdf

Make an Informed Choice! Election and Voting FAQs

Find the information you need below or check out our general FAQ page. If you have questions about recent University communications, see our Get the Facts page. If you have a question that isn't answered contact us at info [dot] cause-uaw [dot] org.

When is the election?

The election is happening from Wednesday, March 18th to Tuesday, March 31st. Ballots will be sent out via email at 9am on the 18th and the vote will close at 4pm on the 31st.

How do I vote?

The election will be conducted by secret e-ballot under the supervision of the Alaska Labor Relations Associate (ALRA) and will use an electronic voting system administered by Intelivote. When the vote opens, you will receive a personalized ballot to your email inbox with instructions on how to cast your vote. If you run into any difficulty finding your ballot or casting your vote, please reach out to info [at] cause-uaw [dot] org or the Alaska Labor Relations Agency (ALRA) at 907-269-4895.

Who can vote in our election?

All permanent staff who are in eligible positions and employed at UA as of 2/18/26 and are also employed throughout the election period are eligible to vote.

Will my vote be anonymous?

Yes - this is a secret ballot election.

What will my vote represent? What does it mean if I vote for CAUSE-UAW?

Voting for “CAUSE-UAW” means you support forming a union of, for, and by UA staff, so we can represent and advocate for ourselves while working at UA. If a majority of votes cast are for “CAUSE-UAW,” our union will be formed and we will begin negotiating a contract with the UA Admin. If a majority votes cast are for “No representation,” no union will be formed.

What will happen if a majority votes for CAUSE-UAW?

After a majority vote for CAUSE-UAW, UA staff will continue to weigh-in on bargaining priorities through surveys, town halls, and conversations. We’ll also elect a bargaining team of our colleagues who will use the survey to draft Initial Bargaining Demands — broad goals for negotiations. All UA staff will vote to ratify these demands.

If we form our union, what happens to our annual raise?

Unionized workers at UA, like faculty and grad students, negotiate over wages, and any raises are codified into a legally binding contract, called a collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Then, the Alaska state legislature votes to approve and fund those CBAs. In recent years, it has been incredibly rare for the legislature to vote against funding CBAs, even in instances where the CBAs have come in past the funding deadline. UA can also ask the legislature to fund raises for non-union workers, but neither the university nor the legislature is under any legal obligation to provide them. For example, last year, the legislature approved raises for all unionized UA employees, and did not approve raises for staff. UA Admin made the decision to fund those wage increases with other sources, but it was completely up to their discretion.

This year, UA has already asked that the legislature fund 3% raises for all staff to match what unionized groups on campus negotiated. If the legislature funds those raises, staff are legally entitled to receive them.

By voting to form our union, we will gain the right to negotiate for wage increases through CBA negotiations, as do our unionized coworkers. Having that in our CBA would provide us with far more security in our wage increases.

Can I vote in this election as an employee on a visa?

Yes. International workers have the same rights to vote and participate in their union as US nationals, regardless of visa status. You have an equal say in this election and you will be sent a link to a secret ballot.

Will I have to pay dues? When does union membership begin?

We will not pay dues until after negotiating and voting to ratify our first contract. Once a contract is ratified, each of us can decide whether or not to become a dues-paying member. Dues provide the resources to enable effective collective bargaining, enforcement of rights, and every aspect of having a strong union. UAW membership dues are 1.44% of gross income.

Who is included in CAUSE-UAW and can vote in the upcoming election?

All eligible permanent UA staff who are employed as of 2/18/26 and are also employed throughout the election period are eligible to vote. A small number of staff who meet a very strict legal threshold for being a supervisor or confidential employee are not included in CAUSE-UAW. Employees of the UA Foundation are also not included. If you have questions about your eligibility, please reach out to info [at] cause-uaw [dot] org.

I believe I'm a supervisor and I received a ballot. Am I allowed to vote?

Yes. If you receive a ballot you are eligible and encouraged to vote.

Will my existing benefits, like retirement and health insurance, change during contract negotiations?

No. UA cannot make unilateral changes to our working conditions during this election period and for the duration of contract negotiations. After UA staff vote to form our union on March 18-31, we will negotiate our first contract to protect and improve our benefits. We will also ratify our contract by a majority vote to finalize and implement our newly won rights and benefits. Once in a contract, our benefits cannot be changed unilaterally by the University; yes, that could mean no more surprise hikes in healthcare premiums or parking fees!

I have a problem with my ballot of some kind (I can’t access it, it’s not working correctly, I didn’t get one and believe I should have, etc.). What should I do?

Reach out to Alaska Labor Relations Agency (ALRA) at 907-269-4895.

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