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Hundreds of grad workers and allies turned out on Monday morning to kick off a second week on strike. Carrying signs that read ‘faculty support student workers,’ the group marched in solidarity from the Diag to Ruthven, then on to Rackham, showing the University that all workers on this campus stand together. Meanwhile, grad workers marched and chanted at a morning picket in Detroit. Among them was a participant of the original GEO strike of the 1970s! Truly solidarity forever.
Lina, Art History
“This morning we heard from tenure track faculty, lecturers, library staff, and undergrads about why they support our fight for dignity and affordability. They see UM’s hypocrisy as the university files an injunction against grad workers on ‘grad appreciation week’. They know that our struggles and wins are interconnected, and they are ready to stand together until we win a fair contract. ”
Grads Confront Ono Over Lawsuit
On central campus, picket lines confronted President Santa Ono as he arrived at an event at UMMA with chants of ‘President Ono makes a million, GSIs can’t make a living.” This is an understatement: Ono’s base salary of $975,000 could pay the salary of 40 GSIs. He will receive 6 million in compensation over the next five years. While 80% of grad workers are rent burdened, Ono’s contract includes 15 million dollars of renovations to his mansion. This should serve as a stark reminder that our demands are reasonable, necessary, and feasible. Grads blocked Ono from getting into the building, forcing the even to be cancelled. Our problems can’t be ignored any longer!
Lunch at the Strike Kitchen
GEO’s strike kitchen was up and running today, serving chana masala and coconut dal to workers between picket shifts. A true labor of love and solidarity, more than 70 GEO members came together to make this kitchen a reality. The kitchen will be serving meals to picketing workers all week, at the First Baptist Church on Washington St. Free for all striking workers! Sign up for a picket shift:
Add Your Voice: Compensation Town Hall
The Rackham 12-month funding plan proved what we’ve known all along: grads deserve a living wage and U-M has the money to make it happen. Come tot he Compensation Town Hall to discuss how to make that a reality and ensure every grad is covered: Tuesday, April 4 from 7:00-8:30pm over zoom.
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