(AP) — University of Hawaiʻi graduate assistants are suing for the right unionize and bargain for better pay and working conditions. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports three graduate students and Academic Labor United filed the lawsuit Saturday against the Board of Regents, the Hawaiʻi Labor Relations Board and the state. Graduate assistants perform research, teach classes, hold office hours and grade student work while earning their own advanced degrees. The Labor Board is declining to comment. The university says it can’t comment directly on pending litigation. But a spokesman says the school has worked to address issues raised by graduate assistants and will continue to do so.

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