Dartmouth's men's basketball team has halted its efforts to unionize, withdrawing the effort before it can be considered by a labor committee made up of appointees appointed by President-elect Trump.
“While our strategy is changing, we will continue to advocate for fair compensation, adequate health insurance, and safe working conditions for Dartmouth's varsity athletes,” said Chris Peck, president of International Service Employees Union Local 560. Ta. Associated Press Regarding the decision to discontinue the initiative.
The Hill did not immediately receive a response from union representatives.
Dartmouth said it would not negotiate with SEIU to unionize its teams after SEIU voted to unionize in March.
“For Ivy League students who are varsity athletes, academics are of paramount importance and athletic pursuits are part of the educational experience. Classifying these students as employees simply because they play basketball is “This is both unprecedented and inaccurate. Therefore, we do not believe it is appropriate to unionize,” Dartmouth said in a public statement.
Dartmouth College players first petitioned the labor board in 2023 in hopes of becoming the first college athletes to be represented by a union.
There are two positions on the National Labor Relations Board, which Trump is expected to fill after he takes office on January 20. Mr. Trump is working with the Republican-controlled Senate, which only needs a simple majority vote to confirm nonmembers to the National Labor Relations Board.
Senate Democrats tried to confirm Biden to the board earlier this month, but the move was delayed after independents Joe Manchin (West Virginia) and Kyrsten Sinema (Arizona) voted in favor of Republicans. The proposal was rejected 49-50.
The push for change comes amid the NCAA's battle with name, image and likeness (NIL) regulations that allow student-athletes to earn wages from contracts with brands.
