Catherwood LibraryILR School

A recent ruling from the National Labor Relations Board determined that basketball players at Dartmouth College are considered school employees, and this classification allows these athletes to unionize. Every member of the Dartmouth College men’s basketball team signed a petition late last year in support of unionization, and the players were seeking representation from the Service Employees International Union. If the players vote in favor of unionization, they will have a role in negotiations with the Dartmouth College administration. The players stated that unionizing would allow them to negotiate salaries and working conditions. Dartmouth College administration has continued to state that it does not consider athletes as employees, and the administration will pursue a review of the National Labor Relations Board ruling. The general viewpoint held by college administrations around the United States is that athletes are considered students, not employees of the college or university.