Strike Warning #5: Strike Authorization Vote Results

September 30, 2011 by 2 Comments

Strike Warning #5: STRIKE AUTHORIZATION VOTE RESULTS
September 30, 2011
Number of days without a contract: 457
Last bargaining session with the SIUC administration: September 30, 2011
Next bargaining session with the SIUC administration: October 14, 2012

Fellow graduate assistants,

I am pleased to inform you of the results of today’s strike authorization vote:

54 new members today, 88 percent voter turnout, and 97 percent voted yes.

As you can see, your fellow graduate assistants voted overwhelmingly to send a message to the administration that this is gone on long enough. We want our legitimate needs around fees that have gone up over $1000 since 2006 and inadequate health care for ourselves and our families addressed. We are telling the Board of Trustees, President Poshard, and Chancellor Cheng that we will do what is necessary to see those needs met in a fair contract.

Your GAU bargaining team will be continuing to try and work with the administration to find a good compromise that benefits both graduate assistants and SIUC. But if we judge there has been no change in the university’s position on fees and health care, we will ask you to go on strike and withhold your labor from the university. That means NO teaching, NO research, NOT showing up for work.

We all hope that a strike can be averted but please be aware we may have to strike to gain the things we want. Do you want to stop paying the university 20 percent of your annual salary to be able to work? Do you want changes in the student health care — which has so much money in reserves they could go an entire year without anyone paying in and still wants to raise fees 13 percent in the next two years? If you want those things to happen, you will have to fight for it.

This is the question you need to ask yourself:

Am I ready to fight for something better or do I want to continue to be taken advantage of by the university?

You can stay informed by reading our webpage (http://gaunited.org), joining our Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6789631853&ref=ts), following our brand new Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/#!/SIUCGAUnited), or subscribing to the blog for all four IEA-NEA unions on campus (http://siucunions.wordpress.com).

A “strike warning” means conditions are favorable for a strike for GAU and our sister unions, the Association of Civil Service Employees, the Faculty Association, and the Non-Tenure Track Faculty Association. The administration can solve this crisis today by settling our contracts. Make your voice heard by joining GAU!

In solidarity,
Kristi Brownfield
Vice-President for Communications

Filed under events, strike

Strike Warning #4: STRIKE AUTHORIZATION VOTE TODAY

September 30, 2011 by Leave a comment

Strike Warning #4
September 30, 2011

Number of days without a contract: 457
Last bargaining session with the SIUC administration: September 23, 2011
Next bargaining session with the SIUC administration: September 30, 2011

Fellow graduate assistants,

Unless you’ve been completely lost in your work, you know that today dues-paying members of Graduate Assistants United will vote whether or not to authorize the bargaining team to call for a strike on or after October 6 if no significant progress has been made in bargaining.
I want to reiterate to you two important points: first, a vote to authorize a strike does not mean there necessarily will be a strike, just that the union’s members reserve the right to strike as a last resort; second, we do not want to strike. Indeed, we want to avoid a strike, and that is why we have been negotiating with the Administration since April 2010. However, we must prepare for the worst.

After spending more than a year of my life negotiating with the Administration, I have doubts whether it was ever really committed to meaningful negotiations. The areas that we have reached tentative agreements on did not take 18 months to reach. At this point, I have to wonder if this whole process was designed to string GAU along until we just abandoned our positions out of a sense of sheer futility. If that is indeed the case, the Administration has made a serious mistake. If anything, the Administration’s delaying tactics have stiffened our resolve to achieve a fair and equitable contract for all Graduate Assistants, Teaching Assistants, and Research Assistants here at SIUC. I can speak for all the members of the Bargaining Team when I tell you that we will not come out of these negotiations without something to show for our time and effort. The exact nature of our what we bring back to our membership for approval is, in large part, up to the Administration.

They know we are fed up with a “health care plan” that they would not subscribe their own families to, but is somehow good enough for us. We are tired of having our fees rise 200 percent in the last few years. Furthermore, we are tired of an atmosphere where, according to the recent letter from Chancellor Cheng, we can be replaced by retired faculty and people off the street. If it was not happening at SIUC, I would love to see one of these people the Chancellor handily has in reserve attempt to lead the discussions in my three sections of History 101A. Apparently, all one needs is a textbook. If the Administration does not respect us now, perhaps they will find some when they face the possibility of not just GAU, but the Faculty Association, the Non Tenure-Track Faculty, and the Association of Civil Service Employees withholding their labor until a settlement that is fair to both sides in these negotiations.

Despite our legitimate frustration with the Administration, GAU remains committed to finding a fair agreement. We hope the Administration truly feels that way too, as opposed to paying lip-service to the idea. If it is at all possible, come to an open meeting Friday at 3:00 in Lawson 141. We will try to answer questions and tell you where we stand in negotiations, since they will have taken place earlier that day. From 4:00 until 7:00, dues-paying members only will cast their votes on the strike authorization. If you are not a member, you can join before you vote, we will have membership forms available. Our organization is democratic; our members tell us what to do. Join us, and make your voice heard. SIUC will be a better place because of your help.

You can stay informed by reading our webpage (http://gaunited.org), joining our Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6789631853&ref=ts), following our brand new Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/#!/SIUCGAUnited), or subscribing to the blog for all four IEA-NEA unions on campus (http://siucunions.wordpress.com).

In solidarity,
Jim Podesva
President

Filed under events, strike, strike watch

Faculty Association Vote Results

September 28, 2011 by Leave a comment

DAYS WITHOUT A CONTRACT: 455

The Faculty Association held their strike authorization vote today. I’m pleased to report the results of the FA’s vote:

88 percent voter turnout and 92 of those voting voted yes.

The goal here is a fair agreement that benefits both the employees and SIUC. These strike vote authorizations are a tool to achieving that. This is a union message to the administration: no more delaying, no more imposing, no more vetoing. Cooperate with us, work with us to create a better university.

While the votes are a collective message, you can deliver this message as an individual too:

Ms. Misty Whittington
Executive Secretary of the Board
Office of the Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees
(618) 536-3357

Rita Cheng: rcheng@siu.edu
SIUC Chancellor
(618) 453-2341

Glenn Poshard: poshard@siu.edu
SIU President
(618) 536-3357

Filed under events, strike

Association of Civil Service Employees Vote Results

September 27, 2011 by Leave a comment

Today the Association of Civil Service employees had their strike authorization vote. They voted on the question:

Unless we have an approved contract, then on the recommendation of the Association of Civil Service Employee’s bargaining team, the Executive Committee is authorized to call a strike no earlier than October 6, 2011.

I’m pleased to report the results of today’s vote:

80 percent of those voting… Voted yes.

After the votes were tallied, ACsE representative Tammy Keen said “I think this proves our solidarity and that we deserve respect.”

I was in the room when the votes were tallied and listening to the chorus of “yes” from the votes was encouraging. This isn’t an easy decision for any of us to make — but ACsE members proved they understand the stakes and are willing to do what it takes. This is quickly moving from a hypothetical strike threat to a real strike threat. I hope the administration is listening and is willing to come to the bargaining table ready to address the very real issues and concerns each union has.

In the News:
SIU Unions Start To Vote On Strike Authorization [WSILTV]
Association of Civil Service Employees approves strike authorization [Daily Egyptian]

Filed under events, strike

Strike Warning #3

September 26, 2011 by Leave a comment

Strike Warning #3
September 26, 2011

Number of days without a contract: 453
Last bargaining session with the SIUC administration: September 23, 2011
Next bargaining session with the SIUC administration: September 30, 2011

Fellow graduate assistants,

GAU leadership has been informed that Deans and others in supervisory/administrator positions have been instructed to poll faculty and staff as to an individual’s potential action or opinion about a strike. This is an illegal act! This approach is illegal surveillance of and interference with employees in the exercise of individual rights under the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act.

Our Uniserv Director, under advice from IEA Legal Counsel, has notified Associate Provost Susan Logue and SIU Associate General Counsel Deborah Nelson and demanded that they take immediate steps to stop this administrative activity and take measures to insure that SIU Board representatives cease and desist from similar conduct in the future. He also requested Logue, Nelson, and others to provide the IEA office with evidence of compliance by noon on Monday, September 26, 2011. If requested, we will provide you with information regarding the outcome of this.

Remember, you have the right to refuse to engage in conversations about GAU’s strike authorization vote or striking with administrators or supervisors. Please inform those that ask they are violating your rights under the Labor Act and contact GAU (gau.siuc@gmail.com) immediately if you experience this.

Our information on voting and voting procedures are available on our website (http://gaunited.org/strike-vote-procedures/). We will be having an informational meeting:

September 30, 3-4pm
Lawson Hall 141

This meeting will be followed by voting from 4-7pm for dues-paying members of GAU. If you are unable to vote during those hours, we are offering absentee and proxy balloting (http://gaunited.org/strike-vote-procedures/strike-vote-absentee-and-proxy-ballot-procedures/)

For more information on what a strike would mean, please visit the strike FAQ page GAU and our sister unions have put together: http://siucunions.wordpress.com/strike-faq/

GAU leadership will also be organizing department meetings to inform you of the status of bargaining and what a strike authorization vote means. If you are interested in setting up a meeting in your department, please email us at: gau.siuc@gmail.com

You can stay informed by reading our webpage (http://gaunited.org), joining our Facebook group, or subscribing to the blog for all four IEA-NEA unions on campus (http://siucunions.wordpress.com).

A “strike warning” means conditions are favorable for a strike for GAU and our sister unions, the Association of Civil Service Employees, the Faculty Association, and the Non-Tenure Track Faculty Association. The administration can solve this crisis today by settling our contracts. Make your voice heard by joining GAU!

In solidarity,
Kristi Brownfield
Vice-President for Communications

http://gaunited.org

Filed under strike watch

Strike Warning #2

September 23, 2011 by Leave a comment

Strike Warning #2
September 23, 2011

Number of days without a contract: 450
Last bargaining session with the SIUC administration: September 23, 2011
Next bargaining session with the SIUC administration: September 30, 2011

Fellow graduate assistants,

We have reached a mile stone today: 450 days since our previous contract expired on June 30, 2010. When GAU began bargaining our new contract in April 2010, we strongly wished to address the issues of fees and health care. Fees now account for almost 20 percent of our annual salary for PhD students working 20 hours a week — this is the higher end of the stipend scale. Our student health care offers no vision, no dental, no comprehensive coverage for partners, no coverage for dependents, no prescription drug benefit, no coverage for preexisting conditions for the first year, and even the assistant director of the student health insurance department, Jim Hunsaker, said in today’s Daily Egyptian “SIU’s goal is to always be the payor of last resort, not the primary source” (http://dailyegyptian.com/2011/09/22/students-speak-out-about-university-insurance-policy-2/).

When we presented those issues to the administration’s team at the bargaining table our proposals were a fee freeze, for the university to expand coverage options and, at a minimum, agree to follow the guidelines in the new Patient Affordable Health Care Act. We were met with a flat no.

Now, eighteen months later — we are still hearing no. The Board’s team presented us with an economic offer today in bargaining (the full text of the offer is available here: http://gaunited.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/stipend-and-benefits-article-13-board-offer-09-23-2011.pdf):

No increase for Fiscal Year 2011 (last year)
For Fiscal Year 2012 (this year): 1 percent beginning January 1, 2012
For Fiscal Year 2013: 1 percent
No change to health care
No change in fees

As you can see, this proposal does nothing to curb fees which have gone up two hundred percent in the last five years. It does nothing to change health care benefits which you are paying more for while the university has a 3 million dollar reserve fund according to a Board report presented in May 2011 (http://bot.siu.edu/meetings/2011/0511minutes.pdf). This proposal does not meet our needs.

Now is the time to make our choice. Do we continue to lose? Do we continue to drown in fees? Do we continue to have to choose between paying rent and paying for health care?

Or do we stand up? Do we want our needs met? Do we want to win?

That is what a strike authorization vote is for. GAU leadership asks you to vote yes and authorize a strike to meet our needs — to stop rising fees and to actually get the kind of health care plan we are already paying for.

Our information on voting and voting procedures are available on our website (http://gaunited.org/strike-vote-procedures/). We will be having an informational meeting:

September 30, 3-4pm
Lawson Hall 141

This meeting will be followed by voting from 4-7pm for dues-paying members of GAU. If you are unable to vote during those hours, we are offering absentee and proxy balloting (http://gaunited.org/strike-vote-procedures/strike-vote-absentee-and-proxy-ballot-procedures/)

For more information on what a strike would mean, please visit the strike FAQ page GAU and our sister unions have put together: http://siucunions.wordpress.com/strike-faq/

GAU leadership will also be organizing department meetings to inform you of the status of bargaining and what a strike authorization vote means. If you are interested in setting up a meeting in your department, please email us at: gau.siuc@gmail.com

You can stay informed by reading our webpage (http://gaunited.org), joining our Facebook group, or subscribing to the blog for all four IEA-NEA unions on campus (http://siucunions.wordpress.com).

A “strike warning” means conditions are favorable for a strike for GAU and our sister unions, the Association of Civil Service Employees, the Faculty Association, and the Non-Tenure Track Faculty Association. The administration can solve this crisis today by settling our contracts. Make your voice heard by joining GAU!

In solidarity,
Kristi Brownfield
Vice-President for Communications

http://gaunited.org

Filed under bargaining, strike watch

An Interesting Experience

September 20, 2011 by 2 Comments

True story: I’m having lunch the other day in a local restaurant, and sitting next to me were three or four students who happened to be Graduate Fellows of some sort or another.  I truly wasn’t eavesdropping, but I overheard them discussing what would happen if a strike came.  They were truly agonizing over what position they should take.  I introduced myself as GAU’s President, and we discussed the situation.  As Fellows, they are not covered under the present contract, but we’re working on getting that changed in the future.  But for now, if a strike comes, they’ll have to follow their consciences.  At the same time, the person sitting next to me introduced herself as a new member, and asked what she could do for GAU!  This has never happened to me in the three or four years I’ve been in the union.

I drew a couple of lessons from the experience.  First, the word is getting around the community that a strike may be looming, and people of conscience are figuring out where they stand on the issue.  In this instance, my lunch companions realized that the only choice that didn’t result in compromising key principles was to support GAU.  Second, both GAU’s recognition in the community as well as membership numbers are both trending up.  Did you know we have at least 25-30 new members in the last week or so?

Now let’s keep up the pressure on the University to bargain in good faith and on ourselves to preserve this momentum.

Filed under bargaining, events

Important!

September 19, 2011 by Leave a comment

From our official statement, which can be read in its entirety in an earlier post: “On Friday September 30th, at 3pm, GAU leadership will be holding an open informational meeting in Lawson 141. At 4pm, the door will close and we will ask dues paying members to authorize your GAU bargaining team to call for a strike if no significant progress is being made at the bargaining table.”

I want to reiterate that if the authorization passes, it doesn’t mean we’re going on strike on the 30th, only that you give the bargaining team the authority to declare a strike as a last resort.

If it does come to a strike, the responsibility lies with an administration that considers sitting at a table saying “no” to be bargaining in good faith. We remain committed to negotiations, and hope that it doesn’t come to a strike. However, we have to prepare for the worst.

Filed under bargaining

Strike Warning #1

September 19, 2011 by 13 Comments

Strike Warning #1
September 19, 2011

Number of days without a contract: 446
Last bargaining session with the SIUC administration: September 15, 2011
Next bargaining session with the SIUC administration: September 23, 2011

Fellow graduate assistants,

I am sad to report that our last bargaining session on Thursday was unproductive. The meeting lasted a total of forty minutes in which we reviewed the issues still open — including relief from high fees and substandard health care — and set bargaining dates through the end of October. It is clear that the administration has no interest in settling our open contract anytime soon. If we want a fair contract, we will have to take steps to show President Poshard and Chancellor Cheng we are serious about achieving our goals.

GAU leadership is prepared to do that and we hope you are too.

On Friday September 30th, at 3pm, GAU leadership will be holding an open informational meeting in Lawson 141. At 4pm, the door will close and we will ask dues paying members to authorize your GAU bargaining team to call for a strike if no significant progress is being made at the bargaining table.

We believe this will send a strong message to the administration that bargaining has gone on long enough. It is time to sit down and find real solutions to the problems facing graduate assistants on campus.

For more information on what a strike would mean, please visit the strike FAQ page GAU and our sister unions have put together: http://siucunions.wordpress.com/strike-faq/

GAU leadership will also be organizing department meetings to inform you of the status of bargaining and what a strike authorization vote means. If you are interested in setting up a meeting in your department, please email us at: gau.siuc@gmail.com

You can stay informed by reading our webpage (http://gaunited.org), joining our Facebook group, or subscribing to the blog for all four IEA-NEA unions on campus (http://siucunions.wordpress.com).

A “strike warning” means conditions are favorable for a strike for GAU and our sister unions, the Association of Civil Service Employees, the Faculty Association, and the Non-Tenure Track Faculty Association. The administration can solve this crisis today by settling our contracts. Make your voice heard by joining GAU!

In solidarity,
Kristi Brownfield
Vice-President for Communications

http://gaunited.org

Filed under strike watch

Bargaining Update

September 16, 2011 by 1 Comment

Yesterday’s bargaining was a disappointment, to say the least.  The insurance information we asked for in JUNE?  Sorry, don’t have it. Economic offer?  Sorry, don’t have it, thought they did inform us that it won’t be much anyway.  However, we did schedule a whole slew of further bargaining dates, as if this thing is going to stretch on forever.  Well, I can assure you, it won’t.  The status quo is unacceptable, and if the administration won’t listen to GAU, they will listen to us when we join with our sisters and brothers in the Faculty Association, the Non-Tenure Track Faculty Association, and the Association of Civil Service Employees.

What can you do to resolve this situation without having to resort to a strike?  Join us!  Sadly, this is an administration that only thinks in terms of, and only respects, power.  The more members we have, the more power we have.  It’s that simple, actually.  Also, if you are a member of GAU, you get to vote on whether or not to strike, and when the administration has come back to reality, you have the ability to vote on the contract.

Join us, and exercise the power that scares the hell out of the administration.  Believe me, the last thing Cheng & Co. want you to do is join the union.  That should tell you something: they’re scared of your potential.  They should be.

Filed under bargaining

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