About United Campus Workers of Georgia
Just joined? Check out our New Member Packet!
What does United Campus Workers of Georgia stand for?
UCW-GA's Points of Unity outline the shared values and principles of our labor union.
Who can join United Campus Workers of Georgia?
UCW-GA is for all workers who receive a paycheck from the University System of Georgia. That includes staff, faculty, graduate and undergraduate assistants and more who work at any of the 26 public USG Universities and institutions in Georgia.
What do I get out of joining UCW-GA?
You get to be part of an organization that belongs to us and looks out for our interests—a group of workers committed to fighting for fair wages, fair benefits, safe & healthy workplaces, and dignity for all USG workers. UCW-GA Members can also benefit from solidarity and support when facing a specific issue in the workplace, filing a complaint, etc.
What does UCW-GA get out of me joining?
UCW-GA gathers its power, resources, and direction from its Members. Only together can we have the power and capacity to ensure that all USG employees have just compensation, benefits, and workplaces. When you join you help choose the direction of the union. The issues that we work on, the campaigns that we create, and any candidates that we may endorse are chosen by our Membership!
Isn't it illegal to join a union in Georgia?
No. The U.S. Constitution guarantees you have the right to join a union through your First Amendment rights of association and assembly.
However, the State of Georgia does not allow any public higher ed union to collectively bargain with the University System for fair pay and a fair contract. Georgia opted under the 1947 Taft-Hartley Act to exclude its public workers from coverage by the National Labor Relations Act, but then chose to selectively bestow the right of collective bargaining to a very small number of public sector unions. This haphazard arrangement means that while police, Athens and Atlanta firefighers, and some public transit workers have the right to bargain for fair pay and a fair contract, the vast majority of public sector workers in Georgia, including teachers, researchers and public health workers, are deprived of their basic rights as workers.
But if we do nothing, nothing will change. Through building our base and developing our relationships with others in Georgia's rapidly growing labor movement, United Campus Workers of Georgia can and will win the right to collectively bargain for all who work in public higher ed.
Isn't Georgia a "right to work" state?
Yes, it is. But that just means you can't be required to join a union to hold your job. It does not limit your right to join a union in any way.
Can a union be effective in a "right to work" state?
Yes! UCW-GA has fought for and won the elimination of institutional fees, higher pay for graduate workers, and improvements to grad workers' benefits. Our sister organization, United Campus Workers of Tennessee, has been advocating for employees of the University System of Tennessee since 2000. Their successes include the 2017 victory to stop the privatization of all facilities services workers, the 2007 Pay Raise Campaign and achievement of overtime pay for UT’s agricultural production workers.
Do other Georgia laws bar me from joining?
No, there are no Georgia laws that bar you from joining. The Georgia and U.S. Constitutions guarantee similar rights: the former states that all workers have the right to assemble and petition: "The people have the right to assemble peaceably for their common good and to apply by petition or remonstrance to those vested with the powers of government for redress of grievances." (Paragraph IX, 9)
Can I be fired for participating even if I have a right to?
We are protected when we stand together. Our membership information is private and kept safe. Dues are collected directly by UCW-GA, not your employer. We also encourage members to participate how they see fit. The best level of involvement is the one that you feel comfortable with. If any Member ever suffers from any kind of retaliation from joining they will be defended by the Union.
Okay, I joined! Now how do I get connected with other members and the union's current campaigns?
A New Member Packet can be found on this website as of Fall 2025.
This website's "Committees" page gives contact information for UCW-GA's Steering, Budget, Comms, and Legislative Committees.
Who do I contact if I’m having an issue at my workplace?
If you are a USG employee and have an issue or concern in your workplace, please do not hesitate to contact our Georgia Steering Committee at [email protected].
How do I view or make changes to my UCW-GA Membership information?
If you need to make changes to your UCW-GA membership, including contact information and payment information for your dues, please contact [email protected].
If for any reason you should decide to discontinue your membership, you may arrange to discontinue your membership within 30 days of the conclusion of the term in which you joined, or thereafter within 30 days of the end of Fall, Spring, or Summer semester. You may arrange the discontinuation of your membership by mailing a letter of resignation to UCW-GA, P.O. Box 1121, Athens, GA 30603 or by emailing a letter of resignation to [email protected]. If you have separated from your institution: please follow these instructions as soon as possible after cessation of employment. Refunds of dues paid will be issued only for dues paid after the postmark date of the letter or the date of the sent email.
How is UCW-GA related to the AFL-CIO, UCWSE, and Communications Workers of America?
United Campus Workers of Georgia is a division of UCWSE, Local 3821 of Communications Workers of America, an international labor union affiliated with the AFL-CIO. A detailed presentation of our org chart can be viewed here.
How is UCW-GA governed?
Our union's policies and procedures are laid out in the CWA Constitution, CWA Operating Procedure Manual, UCWSE Bylaws, and member-submitted resolutions authorized by vote of UCW-GA's general membership and/or UCW-GA's Steering Committee.
United Campus Workers of Georgia is a division of United Campus Workers Southeast, Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 3821. CWA represents 700,000 workers in private and public sector employment in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
The linked slideshow provides further details about our union's structure, including an organization chart. The org chart can be viewed as a standalone zoomable image here.
What are the dues?
Union dues are on an income-based sliding scale.
- Supporting Member Dues: $8/month
- Part-time Employees, Graduate Students, and Retiree Dues: $8/month
- Minimum Dues for Full-Time Employees: $14.50/month
- $60,000 – $99,999 annual gross income: $30/month
- More than $100,000 gross income: $50/month
Dues are paid monthly on the last business day of the month for monthly paid employees or the second biweekly payday of the month for biweekly paid employees via bank-draft from the account of your choosing using Stripe as the ACH processor. Please note that the deduction date may be impacted by bank holidays such as New Year's Day.