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On Friday, grads braved pouring rain to hold lively pickets at the CCRB construction site and at Rackham’s graduate commencement. Many of the picketing workers are graduating themselves, and took the chance to reflect. “It’s so beautiful to be able to gather and celebrate our students, while at the same time fighting to leave this institution a better place for those who come after us,” said Michael, a Math PhD candidate. “I want UM to be a place where GSIs can give their students the attention they deserve and not be constantly worried about how to make ends meet. This contract will take us closer to making that a reality.”
Saturday morning, grad workers gathered at the big house to congratulate our graduating undergrad students. Grad workers are so proud of graduating undergrads, and so excited to see what they’ll achieve. Kelsie, a grad in Middle East studies, said “I love my students and it hurts me to know that the strike is affecting them, but I also know that we are fighting for a better and fairer university for ALL of us, grad and undergrad alike!” Grads’ working conditions are undergrad learning conditions. They’re also the working conditions that our students who go on to grad school will soon encounter themselves. We’re here to support our undergrads today, and build a University where they can thrive tomorrow. As grads left the Big House and walked to Strike Kitchen brunch, a cheer went out as the plane we hired flew overhead with a banner in train wishing congrats to our students.
Update from the Bargaining Table
In April 28’s public, open bargaining session, GEO passed an economic package (compensation, benefits, childcare, leaves, tuition waivers, ADHD/ASD MOU, mental health copay MOU), as well as proposals on IGSI and healthcare funds and the transitional funding program. While GEO passed back the same compensation proposal that HR rejected last week, lead negotiator Evelyn Smith emphasized that the summer deferral structure is cheaper for the University than the initial raise proposal. GEO also made movement on mental health copays. In response, AHR passed disappointing counters on employee training and disability policies. GEO has asked for training and orientation on accommodation procedures and Disability Culture, guaranteed temporary accommodations for those seeking relevant documentation, increased campus accessibility through the creation of a map of accessible infrastructure, and an extended radius for paratransit. AHR has demonstrated no interest in meeting these needs in their counters, merely offering to send an email on accommodations policies and host policies on an internal website.
Raziq, Physics
“HR keeps saying they need to check that our proposals won’t help people outside the bargaining unit. They’re missing the point! These proposals are supposed to help people – that’s the only way we’ll making UM truly accessible to everyone who wants to be here.”
Stay Up to Date: Come to Bargaining
We’ll be back at the table pushing for a fair contract on Monday, Wednesday and Friday this week. Register to attend a bargaining session this week: .
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