Some people have the impression that ASEs who are working on research that is or may become part of their dissertation are excluded from the bargaining unit.  The Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) ruling makes clear that this is not the case.  “RCW 41.56.203 (1) (h) only excludes student/employees on RA appointments from the bargaining unit if they meet a two-part test:

1.      The individual must be ‘performing research primarily related to their               

      dissertation’; AND

2.      The individual must ‘have incidental or no service expectations placed upon 

       them by the university.’”

PERC concludes: “The record demonstrates that the great majority of the student/employees on RA* appointments do, in fact, have service expectancies imposed upon them by the employer (or by faculty members who are agents of the employer for this purpose) while they are working on their dissertation.” 

* PERC also includes in the bargaining unit any others (ie. Trainees or Fellows) “whose duties and responsibilities are substantially equivalent to” RAs.