Hundreds of grad workers and their allies rallied in the rain this morning ahead of the court hearing. Clad in purple GEO ponchos, workers sheltered under Hatcher Library before marching to the courthouse. Grads heard speakers from the Payments for Placements campaign demanding a $20/hr minimum wage for the unpaid 900 hour internships required of Masters of Social Work students. Grad workers flooded through Nickels Arcade and onto the streets as they headed to the courthouse.
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.
A group of people wearing rain gear holding their fists up and picket signs
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.’
A group of people holding picket signs. A strike banner is prominent at the front
Hundreds of grads rallied on North Campus today, continuing the fight for dignity and affordability for each and every worker. Facing indifference and intimidation from the University, grads remained united. The conditions North Campus grads face are a stark reminder of urgency of our demands. For example, grads in the School of Music Theatre and Dance (SMTD) often work tiny fractions below even a 0.25FTE appointment (less than half of a typical GSI salary). Yet, SMTD students, who tend to be Masters or DMAs, would be excluded from the Rackham 12-month funding proposal, deepening the inequity between grads in SMTD and other colleges.
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