More than 100 women's college basketball players have initiated a unionization campaign, making it the largest group of college athletes to formally pursue collective bargaining through the United College Athletes Association (UCAA). The athletes aim to secure representation and eventually expand their efforts to include players from other sports.
All participating athletes have signed union authorization cards, empowering the UCAA to negotiate on their behalf. Among the participants, 10 of the 13 players on the Oregon State women's basketball team have filed a petition to be recognized as union members. Jenna Villa, a senior at Oregon State, expressed the sentiment of unity, stating, "We want one voice."
The UCAA's strategy includes creating sport-specific divisions within the organization to facilitate separate bargaining with individual schools. Initially, the Oregon State women's basketball team is seeking voluntary recognition from the university. If unsuccessful, they plan to petition the Oregon Employment Relations Board, which oversees public employee unions in the state. Villa indicated that Oregon was chosen due to its favorable state labor laws, which permit public employees to unionize.
Andrew Cooper, executive director of the UCAA, outlined a phased approach for the organization. The goal is to establish conference-wide bargaining units where players are recognized as employees of their respective leagues, followed by a broader agreement encompassing all college athletes. The UCAA's advisory board includes prominent figures from professional sports unions, such as Meghann Burke, executive director of the NWSLPA, and Nneka Ogwumike, president of the WNBPA.
Oluchi Okananwa, an interim president of the UCAA and a player for the Maryland women's basketball team, stated that the organization's objectives include negotiating for improved compensation, academic protections, and safety standards. "We deserve a seat at the table, meaningful protections, fair compensation, and a collective bargaining agreement that raises the standard for everyone," Okananwa said. "This work is bigger than any one season or generation. We are building lasting power for the athletes competing today and those who will come after us."
