Georgetown University and the Georgetown Alliance of Graduate Employees signed a landmark private agreement today that will allow graduate student assistants a chance to vote on whether they want to join a union. The agreement—among the first of its kind—provides for a union election outside the scope of the National Labor Relations Board. “Today’s agreement reflects our shared belief in the important role that graduate student assistants play at Georgetown and our commitment to giving them a stronger voice as members of our community,” the parties said in a joint statement. “Georgetown and GAGE will work together to ensure a free and fair election that encourages dialogue and gives eligible graduate student assistants the opportunity to decide if they would like to be represented by a union.” "The lesson is once again plain and simple: collective organizing works!" said GAGE on their Facebook page.