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On Friday, grad workers again showed up in force to demand a contract that protects all workers. Picketing across central campus, grad workers were undeterred by bad weather and university intimidation. GEO member and anthropology grad Irene said, ‘Filing for an injunction day one of the strike is a disappointing escalation, but we were always ready for this. GEO has been part of the political pulse of this city for 50 years. It’s beautiful to be involved in the union’s efforts for a more equitable university. We came out in the rain this morning to tell the university that Ann Arbor is a union town, and we’re not leaving until our demands are met.’
She’s not the only one who feels this way. Ismael, a physics grad, added, “I feel really angry and deeply disappointed at the university for filing an injunction. I can’t believe that the university would sue graduate workers instead of working with us to resolve the issues we are facing in our day-to-day. The fact that the injunction was filed so quickly just demonstrates to me that the university was never bargaining in good faith. It took barely a day!”
From the Bargaining Table
On transgender day of visibility, HR refused to consider meaningful improvements to healthcare for transgender grads, indicating that the university does not want to do the work necessary to ensure that trans grads don’t face unnecessary burdens accessing healthcare.
Dominique, Linguistics
“We’re doing so much to make our trans health care proposals work. We’re working so hard and jumping through hoops, and the university is not responding. These proposals are important. As we see attacks on queer and trans communities across the country, it’s clear the protections we have today could very easily change. We them in the contract now!”
As grads picketed in the rain, HR was reluctant to move on other key proposals, including much needed expansions to the childcare subsidy and transitional funding for grads in abusive situations.
Eva, Engineering
“As an engineer, I know that one of the most persistent difficulties many of us face is difficult or abusive advisor situations. It makes me angry that the university would think that a committee or a conference would ever be sufficient when so many committees and conferences have already made clear that we need transitional funding.”
Show Up for the Rally Ahead of Tuesday Hearing
On Tuesday, GEO members will get our day in court, as we defend ourselves from U-M’s lawsuit. Members will rally on the diag at 8:30a.m. before marching to the county courthouse downtown. We need to oppose U-M’s attempt to use the courts to circumvent the bargaining process. Sign up at
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