Northwestern Faculty Launched Union Organizing Drive

Approximately 800 non-tenure and adjunct faculty members at the Evanston campus are seeking union representation.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Unions

Isometric editorial illustration of blank administrative file folders stacked on a library table, representing academic labor organization. — Approximately 800 non-tenure and adjunct faculty members at Northwestern University have launched a formal campaign to seek union representation for better wages and benefits. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Non-tenure eligible and adjunct faculty at Northwestern University have officially launched a campaign to unionize. Organizers are currently collecting signatures from the 800-person faculty group to seek formal recognition.

Why it matters

The faculty members hope to address long-standing concerns regarding stagnant wages and benefit erosion. They also aim to secure a more significant voice in the university's institutional decision-making processes and protections for academic freedom.

The potential bargaining unit includes 800 faculty members across six undergraduate schools. To trigger an election, organizers must demonstrate at least 30% interest, which equates to securing signatures from 240 eligible members.

The players

Northwestern University

A private research university located in Evanston that serves as the site of the faculty unionization efforts.

Illinois Federation of Teachers

A statewide labor organization that is currently providing support and coordination for the faculty union organizers.

National Labor Relations Board

The federal agency responsible for overseeing union elections and protecting the rights of employees in the workplace.

The details

Working alongside the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the organizers spent two years holding internal discussions before launching this official effort. The group is now requesting voluntary union recognition from the university as they work to meet the interest threshold required by the National Labor Relations Board.

A previous attempt to unionize by faculty failed in 2018.
The new union organizing drive officially launched on September 23, 2026.
A union election could potentially occur in the fall of 2026.

Political Context

Opponents of the unionization effort may raise concerns about the potential impact on university governance or the flexibility of academic appointments. Similar previous campaigns have faced institutional resistance based on the argument that faculty-university relations should remain decentralized.

If the union is successfully formed, it could lead to new collective bargaining agreements that may change faculty wages and university-wide employment policies. Residents and stakeholders may see shifts in institutional governance as the university negotiates with the newly formed bargaining unit.

The takeaway

Faculty members aiming for collective bargaining are focusing on long-term institutional stability and wage parity. Staff interested in similar movements should ensure they verify the specific legal threshold requirements mandated by federal oversight agencies.