GEO Strike 2018 Day 2
***February 27, 2018 -- 197 days since our contract expired on August 15th -- GEO STRIKE 2018 DAY 2***
Good morning! Today’s weather is expected to be mostly sunny, with a high of 61 °F (16 °C). What a lovely day for a strike! It can be a little chilly in the morning and late afternoon, so consider bringing a light jacket if you get cold easily.
Thank you to everyone who made yesterday such a powerful first day! Hundreds of graduate employees and allies picketed, rallied, and marched. Despite our almost completely shutting down six campus buildings, the Administration remarked that the strike was “minimally disruptive,” and claimed that only three classes had been cancelled. Today, let’s show them just how “minimally disruptive” we really are by coming back even stronger. We are in it to win it, and will not lose power until a fair contract is signed!
Our picketing shifts are from 8-10:15 am, 10 am-1 pm, 12:45 pm-3 pm and 2:45-5 pm. Please arrive for your picket shift(s) at least 15 minutes early. Meet at the Eternal Flame Pillar in between the English Building and Lincoln Hall on the Main Quad to receive your picketing location assignment. Everyone, GEO member or not, is welcome to join us on the picket line. Be sure to sign in and out with your picket captain once you are assigned!
To sign up for more picket shifts, please use our new form on Airtable. (Re-submitting shifts is not necessary.)
Did you use any of our Strike Support Stations yesterday? Their locations will be shifting slightly today to better serve you, but they’ll still be roughly located at Foreign Languages Building (FLB), Henry Administration Building (HAB), and Lincoln Hall. Besides snacks, water, coffee/tea/hot chocolate (at 8am and 2pm), first aid supplies, sign-making supplies, and swag, Strike Support Stations have useful things like sunscreen, hand warmers, portable chargers, and membership cards. Childcare will be located in the Channing Murray Foundation (1209 W Oregon St, Urbana).
Photo policy: Photos are allowed. If you do NOT want to be included in photos, please notify your picket captain.
Pet policy: All friendly pets are allowed (and encouraged!) on the picket lines. We will have swag for pet photos, as well as water bowls for dogs, at the support stations.
As we did yesterday, today we’ll rally at noon in front of Foellinger Auditorium and again at 5pm in front of Swanlund Administration Building.
See you on the lines! Remember: The university works because we do. Together, we can win a fair contract!
In Solidarity,
Graduate Employees’ Organization
809 S. 5th St., Geneva Room
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: 217-344-8283
Email: geo@uigeo.org
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CONNECT WITH GEO!
Website: www.uigeo.org
Twitter: @geo_uiuc
Facebook: @uigeo @geosolcomm
Instagram: @geo_uiuc
Sign up for text updates! Text updates are the fastest, best way to get crucial GEO information. Text the word “GEO” to 69238 to receive periodic messages concerning crucial bargaining updates and other urgent information. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to 69238 to stop receiving messages. Text HELP to 69238 for more information. Terms & Conditions.
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This is a newsletter for members about our recent news and events. The Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO), IFT/AFT local 6300, AFL-CIO, is a member-run labor union and represents Teaching and Graduate Assistants (TAs and GAs) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.