An estimated 900 student workers at the University of Minnesota will be eligible for AFSCME membership because of a ruling that says they are public employees under state law.

Council 5 raised the issue in 2009, after the university began hiring students to fill vacant clerical and technical positions. The students were doing the same work as AFSCME-represented employees. However, the students were paid $3-$4 an hour less. They also weren’t receiving contractual protections and benefits, including health insurance and paid vacation.

The state Bureau of Mediation Services ruled July 13 that hundreds of students are indeed public employees with a right to union representation. The ruling will take effect on July 1, 2011. Most of the students would wind up in Locals 3800, 3801 and 3937.

The ruling covers full-time students, age 21 or younger, who work at least 14 hours a week and 100 days a year. The ruling specifically excludes students whose jobs are part of federal work-study grants.