Emerson College Resident Assistants Are Latest Addition to the OPEIU 153 RA Union Wave
Boston, MA: This morning at Emerson College, over 84% of the Resident Assistants (RAs) have expressed support in forming the Emerson Union for Resident Assistants (EURA) with OPEIU Local 153.
This newly formed union aims to foster a collaborative and supportive environment for RAs across Emerson College to address common concerns, advocate for improved working conditions, and enhance the overall residential experience for the institution’s students.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the responsibilities placed on Resident Assistants have grown. This has made the position more demanding than ever before. Despite repeated attempts by RAs to voice their concerns, Emerson College has been unresponsive. The benefits and the compensation for their labor have not grown to match the increasing expectations, such as:
The addition of extra late night rounds despite no quantitative evidence supporting their efficacy. The data supporting this decision was requested several times during RA Training. Despite these requests it has still not be made available to us.
Requiring RAs to participate in Break Duty as the Boston Campus remains open year-round post-Covid. Some Resident Assistants are forced to stay on campus through the holidays with minimal pay. Leaving many at risk of food insecurity due to the lack of food availability caused by the closing of dining halls and neighboring Emerson partnered restaurants.
Current RA compensation, consisting of a scholarship equal to that of Room and Board, which does not equate to the value that Resident Assistants provide to the college.
For these reasons—and in spite of being a vital cornerstone of Emerson College life—RAs have long felt that HRE has been not responsive enough to their needs or the needs of the residential communities they represent.
“The formation of the Emerson Union for Resident Assistants is an essential step toward facilitating better relations between the student body and the institution,” EURA representative Nicholas Renteria shares. “As indispensable parts of Emerson’s residential experience, Resident Assistants are attuned to the needs of the community. Through EURA, we seek to build the space to be heard when sharing these needs with the college. Our goal is not to solely represent the interests of RAs, but the interests of the residential community as a whole, working toward an Emerson that better aligns with its students’ needs.”
Emerson RAs delivered their petition for voluntary recognition the the College administration this morning. They are asking for a response by end of day Thursday, November 17th.
To support the Emerson RAs and their campaign to win their union, you can sign + share their petition here! The RAs will also be holding a rally on Friday, November 17th at 4pm at the Boylston Green Line T stop on the Emerson College campus. Follow campaign updates on their Instagram page.