Statement in Support of Graduate Workers at the University of Michigan (U-M)
The Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO) at UIUC, IFT/AFT Local 6300 stands in solidarity with GEO Local 3550 graduate workers at the University of Michigan (U-M) who have been on strike since March 29. They are striking for a U-M for all: a living wage, expanded childcare subsidies, gender-affirming healthcare, caps on health co-pays, funds for international grad workers and survivors of harassment, and community-based public safety alternatives.
U-M administration has continued to offer wage increases below inflation, refused to negotiate on key issues, and attempted at every turn to repress GEO 3550’s freedom to strike. On March 30, admin filed a lawsuit and requested an injunction against the union, which the courts denied. On April 20, U-M President Santa Ono called the police on striking workers, who beat and detained picketers. Then on April 28, U-M admin withheld pay for graduate workers for the month of April.
We are disgusted that an institution with a $17 billion dollar endowment is choosing to sue and arrest their workers and steal their meager pay instead of paying them a living wage. Shame on U-M admin and President Ono!
As Kathleen Brown, a graduate worker who was detained by University campus police, stated in a press release: “The administration would rather take us to court and detain us than address the urgent cost-of-living crisis that graduate workers face at the University of Michigan.”
Despite U-M admin’s failed union busting tactics, GEO 3550’s powerful strike inspires us to fight for a vision of public education that is affordable, dignified, and accessible to all. We the workers of GEO at UIUC are proud to stand with you, GEO 3550. When we fight, we win!
How to support GEO 3550:
Donate to their strike fund: https://givebutter.com/GEOStrikeFund
Sign and share this open letter.
Follow & share their social media posts: