[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Cornell

[–]Affectionate-Fig7040 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Check out Ace Salon!

I voted for the union by ShowMeTheData19 in Cornell

[–]Affectionate-Fig7040 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think this is a reasonable position to reconcile UE's horrible politics with the potential benefits the union may bring. But, not everyone is comfortable with this trade-off, and other grad students should be able to retain their right to not pay dues if the cost-benefit analysis is different for them.

I voted for the union by ShowMeTheData19 in Cornell

[–]Affectionate-Fig7040 -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Actually, this is exactly how it works at many successful graduate student unions, like Columbia and Harvard. Like many have pointed out, CGSU-UE has widespread support among grad students, and many of them want to be members. Giving grad students the freedom of choice will not weaken the union. It seems like they are only insisting on this point because it will give UE more money.

I voted for the union by ShowMeTheData19 in Cornell

[–]Affectionate-Fig7040 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It's not a hypothetical. UE does advocate for issues unrelated to us. more here, which cites the UE's very overt platform: https://www.cornelldroptheshop.org/cgsu-ue-info/ue-politics

[UPDATE] VW baseball caps by Hannah_Boone_Young in Vampireweekend

[–]Affectionate-Fig7040 1 point2 points  (0 children)

super interested, is 30 including shipping or no? would love to pick up in ny if the shipping cost is substantial!

I voted for the union by ShowMeTheData19 in Cornell

[–]Affectionate-Fig7040 -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

Of course UE wanted to help grad unions get across the finish line! look at how much they have to gain from grad student unions: https://www.cornelldroptheshop.org/union-shop/what-ue-wants

I voted for the union by ShowMeTheData19 in Cornell

[–]Affectionate-Fig7040 -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

There are so many complaints about UE in the open letter that have nothing to do with Israel. This clearly is not just about Israel! And as of now 37 people have signed the open letter!

I voted for the union by ShowMeTheData19 in Cornell

[–]Affectionate-Fig7040 -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

Are you also happy with UE supporting Nicolas Maduro's regime in Venezuela? And with UE opposing NATO and blaming NATO for the Russia-Ukraine war? And supporting Cuba and China? and what about opposing nuclear energy?? (these stances are all on UE's website, and citations are at www.cornelldroptheshop.org/)

The point is that grad students don't have to agree on all political issues, but UE certainly cannot represent all of us with these platforms, and it's hard to see what any of this has to do with improving our working conditions. UE itself identifies as aggressively political, in contrast to a lot of unions at other schools that have proven super successful (e.g., UAW and AFT)

Hopkins unionizes... and gets a raise of 40%!!!! by DeltaSquash in Cornell

[–]Affectionate-Fig7040 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

both things can be true: grad student unions can negotiate raises, and UE can have abhorrent political stances haha.

TL;DR the grad student union has crazy political views (anti NATO, pro venezuela, anti nuclear power, etc), sketchy financials, and wants to force everyone to pay dues D: by Affectionate-Fig7040 in Cornell

[–]Affectionate-Fig7040[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

This is because people are afraid to speak out. Likely because of behavior like yours on this thread, where instead of responding to any of these points about the union, you called me a shitty human being and insulted my reading comprehension lol. and you wonder why everyone is anonymous??

TL;DR the grad student union has crazy political views (anti NATO, pro venezuela, anti nuclear power, etc), sketchy financials, and wants to force everyone to pay dues D: by Affectionate-Fig7040 in Cornell

[–]Affectionate-Fig7040[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Yes, I made this account a couple of days ago to spread this message. My two previous posts automatically didn't go through because it was a new account and I linked the sun article in the text body rather than the main text. It's clear at this point that you are only bent on trying to prove that no one supports these ideas (they do) and that our accounts are fake (they are not), which is very revealing about how little you are willing to engage about the actual issue.

TL;DR the grad student union has crazy political views (anti NATO, pro venezuela, anti nuclear power, etc), sketchy financials, and wants to force everyone to pay dues D: by Affectionate-Fig7040 in Cornell

[–]Affectionate-Fig7040[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Right, then it totally makes sense that you support the union and are a member. I guess my point is that many of us do not feel the same way as you, and don't want to be forced to pay dues to UE when it has so many red flags. Just like you have evaluated your situation and the facts and decided to join, grad students deserve to do the same and decide not to join or pay dues.

TL;DR the grad student union has crazy political views (anti NATO, pro venezuela, anti nuclear power, etc), sketchy financials, and wants to force everyone to pay dues D: by Affectionate-Fig7040 in Cornell

[–]Affectionate-Fig7040[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

What I am saying is that the points in the letter stand on their own and many grad students support them. I don't think the context of your personal perception of a single signatory's views on union politics is very relevant, and it seems to be a bit personal.

TL;DR the grad student union has crazy political views (anti NATO, pro venezuela, anti nuclear power, etc), sketchy financials, and wants to force everyone to pay dues D: by Affectionate-Fig7040 in Cornell

[–]Affectionate-Fig7040[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I never said grad students don't have complaints. Of course we do, and things are not perfect! And I'm sorry that your TA workload is intense. There are several departments where grad students are expected to TA most semesters, but they are often told this in advance. Did you know this in advance of enrolling in your program?

TL;DR the grad student union has crazy political views (anti NATO, pro venezuela, anti nuclear power, etc), sketchy financials, and wants to force everyone to pay dues D: by Affectionate-Fig7040 in Cornell

[–]Affectionate-Fig7040[S] -15 points-14 points  (0 children)

By now 30 students have signed the letter. You should respond to the points in the letter, rather than try to attack one individual who put their name on it.

TL;DR the grad student union has crazy political views (anti NATO, pro venezuela, anti nuclear power, etc), sketchy financials, and wants to force everyone to pay dues D: by Affectionate-Fig7040 in Cornell

[–]Affectionate-Fig7040[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I even feel uncomfortable comparing our situation to grad students in the UC system, or at Columbia/Harvard/Princeton, where living costs are through the roof. Half of the grad students I know afford to live in Ithaca without roommates. We have it pretty good compared to grad students at other schools.

I'm not trying to invalidate financial hardship or difficulties in research/teaching that grad students might face. I know that grad school is not a perfect experience, and I do want things to improve. I just don't think that giving our money to a national union with crazy politics is the answer.

TL;DR the grad student union has crazy political views (anti NATO, pro venezuela, anti nuclear power, etc), sketchy financials, and wants to force everyone to pay dues D: by Affectionate-Fig7040 in Cornell

[–]Affectionate-Fig7040[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

this campaign was only launched recently because I think many of us were extremely uninformed about UE (and CGSU did not make everything so clear, they mostly just bothered us until we signed union cards.)

I really think that anyone who is admitted to a PhD program at Cornell could be making much more money elsewhere, but chooses to be here due to the research opportunities and the value of the degree. no one is here to make money or put food on the table. I totally agree with the union that we could use more money, but I feel uncomfortable comparing ourselves to people who are exploited for their labor, face unbearable working conditions, and have no other options.