A mailing will be going out to our members shortly about today’s bargaining session with the UIUC Administration. Please refer to that email for the details, or contact one of the GEO officers for more information.
Today over 50 graduate employees turned-out in force to witness the Administration present its vision of a just contract and to get a sense of their response to our own critical need for a living wage, tuition waiver security, and childcare and healthcare that is affordable and accessible for all. Unfortunately, we were sorely disappointed by what we heard. They could have worked with us to address our non-monetary concerns. They could have worked with us to explore how GAs and TAs can be ensured enough compensation to weather the current economic downturn. Instead, the Administration not only opted to outright reject the vast majority of our own proposals, but also incorporated a series of new and regressive measures that would take away basic rights already enshrined in our contract.
We cannot stand for this.
The GEO will be working hard to develop actions and strategies to prevent the University from imposing regressive measures and freezing our wages. However, without your support the University will continue evaporating our rights as workers. Therefore, we need everybody to get involved. To help, please attend one of the following meetings:
Stewards’ Council Meeting TODAY, Wed 8/12, 5:30 pm in the YMCA
Stewards’ Council Meeting Wed 8/19, 5:30 pm in the YMCA
Bargaining Meeting Friday, 8/14, 1:00 pm in the YMCA & Tuesday, 8/18, 5:00 pm in the YMCA
It is very important that we organize our membership. At this rate, a work action may be necessary simply to maintain our current contract.