GEO Strike 2018 Day 3
***February 28, 2018 -- 198 days since our contract expired on August 15th -- GEO STRIKE 2018 DAY 3***
Good morning! Today’s weather is expected to be cloudy, with a 20% chance of showers and a high of 54 °F (12.2 °C). There was a decent chance of rain last night, so the ground may be muddier than the last two days: dress accordingly. If it does rain, Strike Support Stations have rain ponchos for you! (Umbrellas are not allowed on the picket lines.)
Thank you to everyone who walked, rolled, and danced with us yesterday. You made the second day of our strike even more powerful than the first. We even had a roving “drum corp” picket that went all the way up to the Beckman Institute on the North Quad! Let’s keep that momentum going! Every day we are on strike, we have the opportunity to grow more creative and more powerful.
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.)
We know that picketing can get tiring. People on the lines today found relief by dancing and taking “noise breaks” (where they just made as much silly noise as possible). If you need to stretch, we recommend developing a Silly Walk. If your arms get tired from the drum or cowbell, consider an alternative noisemaker such as a whistle or kazoo! And if you get blisters, stop by a Strike Support Station for bandaids. We recommend wearing gloves if you plan on prolonged drumming.
Strike Support Stations will again be located at Foreign Languages Building (FLB), Henry Administration Building (HAB), and Lincoln Hall. They’ll have snacks, water, first aid supplies, and more. PLUS: bubbles and face paint! 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 at the support stations, plus water bowls and treats for dogs.
As they were on days 1 & 2, today’s rallies will be at noon in front of Foellinger Auditorium and at 5pm in front of Swanlund Administration Building.
We deeply appreciate how respectful everyone has been so far. Please continue to practice the basic picketing rules: be respectful (no harassment, no littering, etc.), be safe (no weapons, if you are harassed call 911, etc.), and most importantly, be joyful!
The Administration’s self-report strike form is going to need updating, because they only had room for two dates and we’re still going strong!
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
-------
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.
-------
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.