The Union of Grinnell Student Dining Workers (UGSDW) and Grinnell College have reached a tentative agreement to end a dispute over compensation changes for Reunion and other short-term summer student workers. The agreement was approved by UGSDW members on Saturday, Dec. 6. The agreement will not be official until the College receives the signed copy to add to the Student Worker section of the Human Resources website.
The dispute began in spring 2025 when the College told Reunion and other short-term summer student workers that they would no longer receive complimentary room and board. Short-term workers affected by the change include Community Advisors (CAs) and those working in the Peer-Connections Pre-Orientation Program, New Student Orientation and the Grinnell Science Project.
The tentative agreement reached by the College and the Union, in the form of a side letter reviewed by The S&B, ensures that these workers can receive additional compensation along with their base wage.
Specifically, according to the tentative agreement, Reunion and Orientation workers will receive room and meal grants during the entirety of their time on campus while working. CAs and Residence-Life House Coordinators will receive meal grants when they are on campus before fall semester meal plans begin and spring semester meal plans end.
Shift meals for dining service employees and student tour guides were not included in the agreement. In fall 2025, Grinnell eliminated shift meals for dining service employees and student tour guides. UGSDW filed a grievance against the College in September against compensation changes for Reunion and other short-term summer student workers, as well as the end of shift meals.
The tentative agreement will end June 30, 2027, when the current UGSDW-College collective bargaining agreement expires, or when a new collective bargaining agreement is reached.
In a statement to The S&B, UGSDW co-President Morgan Smith `26 wrote, “The UGSDW Executive Board believes this Side Letter agreement with Grinnell College to be a massive win for Student Workers on campus.”
At the time of publishing, The S&B was not able to reach the College for comment.
Editor’s Note: Akira Keene Teotrakool `28, a staff writer for The S&B, serves on the UGSDW executive board as member-at-large. Teotrakool was not involved in the writing or editing of this article.
This article has been updated to clarify that the Side Letter will not be official until the College receives the signed copy in their possession. Updated on 12/8/2025.
