The Contract, Campus Labor Event, Final Podcast, ... much more!
Table of Contents:
Solidarity Statement with workers at Chicago State University
The Campus Labor Coalition at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign stands firmly in support of the University Professionals of Illinois Local 4100 workers at Chicago State University in their labor strike for a fair contract. These 160 professors, lecturers, and academic and technical professionals, who are some of the lowest paid in the state of Illinois, have been working tirelessly for a contract for 10 months with the administration refusing to use 0.5 percent of their $60 million budget to pay workers fairly. At the only predominantly African American university in the state of Illinois, CSU workers are fighting for the necessary resources for their students to thrive in a historically under-served space. Chicago State University’s refusal to negotiate a fair contract that improves the workload and pay for their workers is a conscious disinvestment in the education and operations of the campus community. It is disheartening to witness Chicago State University administrators turn their back on such an important resource for African Americans and others who want a good college education. This is amid CSU President Zaldwaynaka Scott receiving a 16 percent raise this year. However, it is empowering to see the UPI Local 4100 stand up for their students, fellow workers, and the Chicago Labor Movement and demand that CSU uphold their promise to ensure fair working conditions. Their working conditions are the students’ learning conditions. A fair contract allows the campus workers to operate without precarity, enriches students through resources and critical classrooms, and stabilizes education for predominantly working class African Americans for years to come. We welcome other labor and community organizations and allies of labor to support UPI-Local 4100 by any means, until they secure the contract they deserve. Their struggle is our struggle, and we believe they will win!
La Lucha Continua
The Campus Labor Coalition
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Executive Summary (Summary in a Flyer)
Campus Wide Labor Education Day + Rally
Image description: "A flyer for Campus Labor Coalition’s panel and rally on April 14th, 2023 from 12 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. at Channing Murray Foundation and 1.30 pm to 2.45 pm at Illini Union. For the panel on top-right corner, the flier reads “Campus Labor Coalition : Remembering our past, building our future @ Channing Murray Foundation, 1209 W. Oregon Street”. On the top-left, it reads “Join us for a celebration of solidarity and struggle for workers. A panel of local union activists will discuss present and future issues that workers face at UIUC and in Urbana-Champaign.” Underneath, in a red background it reads “after the panel 1:30 – 2.45 pm, March to Illini Union & Rally.”, with “A light lunch will be provided” next to it. At the bottom of the flier, a list of the participating organizations are given in a green background “AFSCME Council 31, Campus Faculty Association, GEO 6300, NTFC 6546, SEIU 73 Chapter 119”.
Campus Labor Coalition invites all graduate workers, community members , faculties and employees to an educational panel & celebratory rally to discuss past and future labor struggles in the campus and create solidarity among workers.
Join us to hear the history of campus labor movements from the local unionists and to celebrate our new contact
Panel: Friday, 14th/4, 12 noon - 1:30pm
Rally: 1:30-2:45pm March to Illini Union
Where: Channing Murray Foundation 1209 W. Oregon Street, Urbana
Things to Note about the New Contract
A lot of members have been asking questions about the new contract:
How will the retroactive pay work?
How much should I get paid based on my percentage?
Will I get summer health care this summer?
… and much more.
The GEO is working on making a Q&A page on our website. Stay tuned!
The Last After Bargaining Podcast
Image description: Same (left) and Chelsea (right) sitting by one another. In front of them lit candle sitting on a table.
This is the final After Bargaining Episode. We have successfully organized, strategized, and fought to win a feisty contract. The host, Essam, discusses with the two of the three lead negotiators the wins in our new contract. Chelsea and Sam go into detail about the raises we won, the protections against overwork we gained, and health care benefits we will receive in our new contract. This episode will also include some updates about GEO's website and where members can learn about retroactive pay, fee waivers, and much more. The three end the final episode with some reflections on a year of bargaining filled with struggles and agitations; they speak about their favorite moments and what do those moments mean to overall graduate workers.
The host, Essam Elkorghli, would like to thank our listeners for supporting this nascent project.
GEO Party to Celebrate the New Contract (21/4)
When we fight we win. And when we win, it is good to reflect and celebrate these moments. Join GEO for a festive evening with music, food and libations.
Image description: a flyer with light orange background and text that “Come celebrate our new contract!!” Next line read “Free food & drinks!”. The following line has the date “Friday, 21st April 2023”. In the middle of the flyer is big boldened font that reads “Spring into Better Pay Party”. Underneath is the address “Independent Media Center 202 S Broadway Avenue” followed by the next line that reads “8pm-12am”. At the bottom left is GEO logo. At the bottom center is “Grad students only uiucgeo.org”
Elections on the Horizon
Per our constitution, every year we have elections. The current coordinators and any GEO members can run for positions next year.
The elections this year will be between 4/24th and 4/30th. Follow our social media as we will be posting daily about what each committee does, how you can join a committee, and how you can run to chair a committee.
In Solidarity,
Graduate Employees’ Organization
809 S. 5th St., Geneva Room
Champaign, IL 61820
Email: geo@uigeo.org