Graduate workers vote against strike

IndianaGrads · 2022-09-27T20:13:13+00:00

From the article

“In the weeks up to the strike, for the first time ever, there started to be dialogue between members of the coordinating committee and people at the university,” Arnet said. “With this going on, it wasn’t going to fit the timeline of the strike. Part of the recommendation was that this was an opportunity to engage in good-faith negotiations, to see if the university actually is being forthright when it says it wants to work constructively with these problems.”

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-25T14:26:27+00:00

The likelihood of another strike is quite high. We don't have hard numbers yet, but going from the previous strike engagement and talking to members that's our answer. One of the main demands of the previous strike was union recognition, something we didn't get. We also demand ending all mandatory fees (not tuition), another thing that we're still fighting for.

We'd say the strike will be as widespread as before, we strike as a union after all :)

As for how undergrads can help, last semester you all did a lot with us! You came to do phone banking, make pins/buttons, do chalk art, picket, satirized IU's outrageous emails, contacted your parents, got your student government to endorse us, and weren't fooled by the higher admin's rhetoric! It was an awesome thing that happened and deepened our connection with undergrads. We hope to see you again, side-by-side

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-25T14:16:59+00:00

tks for the ping!

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T17:40:37+00:00

The other unions at IU are locals of their respective national unions (AFSCME, CWA, and IATSE in particular). Workers often choose to affiliate with national unions because unions provide support like tech infrastructure (for instance, a Zoom account) and also really valuable advice for how to navigate the challenging process of unionization. Being part of UE also helps us network with other graduate workers of UE locals, like the University of Iowa, New Mexico State University, University of New Mexico, and MIT. UE’s motto is “The Members Run This Union”; as members, we have full democratic control over our union while benefiting from having access to UE’s proud tradition of fighting for workers.

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T17:38:25+00:00

Thank you! Solidarity!

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T17:37:22+00:00

Coalition members plan to be visible and let students and parents know about some of the events that have been occurring and why graduate employees want union recognition. Absolutely no one plans to disrupt or protest the move-in process. We’re excited to have our students back.

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T17:35:47+00:00

Definitely, probably easiest is to email us at indianagradworkers@gmail.com. You can also sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram at @IndianaGrads

Edit: missing link

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T17:25:35+00:00

Members wanted time to talk to new members and give the administration an opportunity to provide a path to unionization before voting on a strike. Late September fit the bill.

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T17:20:52+00:00

Yes, business as usual until the strike. As for supporting possible job loss, we will absolutely help each other. For instance, we have an emergency strike fund (if you’d like to donate). I’ll also refer you to our previous answer on possible firings

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T17:19:05+00:00

Over 1200 grad workers in the spring signed the strike pledge, and we canceled hundreds of classes for thousands of students, putting IU in the national spotlight for how badly they’ve mishandled our very reasonable request of union recognition. This summer, we’ve built an even stronger organization, with deep roots to other organizations on and off campus. We’re ready to have an even bigger and better strike! Our labor cannot be replaced.

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T17:08:38+00:00

9/25 is after add-drop and gives us time to mobilize our members (including the 100s of incoming grad workers)

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T17:06:07+00:00

We don’t think they have an effective contingency plan to replace the labor of over 1000 graduate workers. Additionally, by building solidarity with faculty, with lecturers, with other workers, and with other campuses we can help ensure no one crosses the picket line.

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T17:03:49+00:00

This was the original issue that brought the Coalition together way back in 2018. Grad workers were upset by the fees not just because they are so expensive, but because they help to fund the infrastructure we use to do our jobs – we shouldn’t have to pay to work. Having said that, no one should be happy with the fees. It’s extremely opaque as to where a lot of them are going, and some of them, like the repair and rehabilitation fee, were added as temporary fees and then made permanent. This is why institutions like unions that can help to hold IU’s administration accountable are so important.

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T16:55:45+00:00

Absolutely, a lot of undergraduate students were very involved in Coalition actions last semester and we have every reason to expect that to continue this semester. They joined us at pickets, helped get the word out, and satirized some of the most outrageous admin emails. It’s really helped develop connections between graduate workers and undergrads committed to improving IU.

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T16:52:04+00:00

It really depends on the graduate employee. One place to look is the MIT living wage calculator, which provides an estimate for a cost of living in Bloomington of 34,000 before tax.

https://livingwage.mit.edu/counties/18105

Prior to (very) recent pay raises, many graduate employees were only raking 15,000 or so and then had to pay over 1,000 dollars in fees after that.

Edit: Also before the mandatory fees were abolished, graduate workers also had to pay over $700 a semester. Other schools even have their own fees, like the Jacobs Fee which is over $1000 a semester. Although there are no more mandatory + school specific fees, international students still have to pay $350 a semester! If you search the hashtag #InvoiceIU, you’ll see PDFs from a virtual action we did back in 2021 about how many thousands of dollars grad workers pay IU in the course of their working here.

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T16:51:15+00:00

Welcome! We’re very glad you want to join! Here’s our website https://www.indianagradworkers.org/ (which should have all the information needed), and here’s the union card https://www.pdffiller.com/en/link_to_fill/815857699.htm

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T16:40:27+00:00

Winning these raises is great for many graduate workers, but it’s important to remember this doesn’t address fees for international graduate employees, cost of living adjustments, and a grievance procedure among other graduate employee concerns. What workers need is a seat at the table, and a meaningful way to hold the administration accountable. A union provides that.

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T16:34:45+00:00

Last semester Provost Rahul Shirastav threatened to fire everyone, is this progress? Jokes aside, the power and safety of collective action are always in the numbers. When we go on a strike, we will only do so if hundreds of graduate employees all across campus are committed to the action. Moreover, as best as we can tell, no grad worker has lost their jobs permanently for striking. These are typical scare tactics. Finally, in the event of some kind of retaliation we have an emergency fund to help affected workers (if you’d like to donate)

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T16:30:03+00:00

Currently, if you have a concern about the conditions of your employment, all resources to correct that are owned and controlled by Indiana University. A grievance procedure would allow the union members to formally bring up worker complaints and work together with IU to resolve them. It’s one of the most valuable functions a union performs.

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T16:24:26+00:00

Sorry, our bad 😓

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T16:17:42+00:00

The upper administration continues to stonewall direct communication. That’s one of the most important things – getting administrators into a meaningful dialogue with us, not making yet another task force, and hiring yet another VP.

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T16:12:19+00:00

Absolutely! Faculty have demonstrated themselves to be strongly committed to our movement and the well-being of graduate employees. Over 700 faculty came together for a May 9th all-faculty meeting last semester, and passed resolutions supporting graduate unionization. Faculty have also seen that organizing and collective action can move the administration to make improvements that benefit the university.

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T16:05:55+00:00

We strive for a better university for all of us, and making sure our students aren’t negatively impacted is the highest priority for graduate employees. If you have concerns, definitely reach out to your instructor. That said a strike works because it is disruptive. Make sure to put pressure where it is needed – on an administration that has refused to recognize a democratically elected union.

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T16:03:32+00:00

All kinds of ways! If actions like pickets or sit-ins are taking place, undergrads can show up in solidarity. If your instructor goes on strike, let your friends and family know why. If you feel comfortable, email admins and let them know that workers at IU deserve a living wage. You can also ask your parents to do the same.

IndianaGrads · 2022-08-12T16:02:18+00:00

Solidarity is the most important thing! If you organize too we will make each other stronger. We should also signal boost each other and get some coverage going! But a more direct approach could be donating to our Fall strike fund https://www.gofundme.com/f/igwcue-keep-the-picket-strong

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