We are NUPU-UE

We are the postdocs and research associates who power research at Northwestern. From advancing cutting-edge science to mentoring students, from fighting disease to addressing the climate crisis, we are integral to the university’s mission. But despite our essential contributions, our labor continues to be undervalued and underprotected.

Today, the future of academic research is increasingly uncertain. Looming federal funding freezes, institutional budget cuts, and policy instability threaten the long-term security of our work and our careers. At the same time, international scholars face growing risks, and the cost of living continues to rise while our compensation stagnates. Northwestern’s postdoctoral workforce deserves better. 

NUPU-UE (Northwestern University Postdoctoral Union - United Electrical Workers) was formed to change that. We believe that job security, international worker support, and workplace protections are not privileges — they are basic rights. Through our union, we are joining tens of thousands of other academic workers who have already unionized with the United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America (UE) at institutions across the country — including here at Northwestern, the University of Chicago, MIT, Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University, and many more — to win a real voice at work.

Our union gives us the collective power to demand action from Northwestern and secure the conditions we need to thrive — not just as individual researchers, but as a community.

Hear from some of your colleagues about why they support forming a union for postdocs and research associates here at Northwestern.

Click here for voting information for our election on August 25-26th and make your plan to VOTE YES!