Dartmouth student files federal charges against graduate student union for religious discrimination

Logsdon seeks an accommodation that would exempt him from forced union payments and representation by GOLD-UE. After GOLD finalized its first bargaining contract with Dartmouth administration, Logsdon requested an accommodation from United Electrical (UE), GOLD’s parent union. In an August 30, 2024 message, UE General Secretary-Treasurer Andrew Dinkelaker denied this request.

Logsdon's charges state that Dinkelaker's proposal did not satisfy his religious conscience or beliefs and violated his rights under Title VII.

National Right to Work Foundation attorneys recently won a similar case for five Jewish graduate students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). These students objected to anti-Israel activities by the MIT Graduate Student Union (GSU), also affiliated with UE. Initially, Dinkelaker refused their accommodation requests but relented after legal intervention.

“Mr. Logsdon is just one of many university students and staff across the country that are appalled by the divisive and inflammatory activity that union bosses have been engaging in,” said National Right to Work Foundation President Mark Mix. “Union officials shouldn’t be able to manipulate their forced-dues and forced-representation powers to make graduate students choose between keeping their academic positions and honoring their sincere religious beliefs.”

Mix added that as political tensions rise on college campuses, such cases are likely to increase nationwide. He encouraged those seeking protection of their religious freedom from union coercion to contact the Foundation for free legal aid.