Your 2011-2012 Officers

GAU would like to announce your officers for the 2011-2012 year:

President: Jim Podesva
Vice-President of Communications: Kristi Brownfield
Secretary/Treasurer: Dennis McDonald

We thank you for your support during this difficult time at SIUC during contract bargaining, budget contention, and increasing job insecurity across the campus. To get a better idea of some of the things we’ll be doing over the next year:

Bargaining:
GAU is committed to bargaining a fair, mutually acceptable contract that addresses the issues GAs have working on campus, including the rising fees, the substandard health care plan, and multi-year contracts. For more information on what is still on the bargaining table right now and what the administration wants you to have: http://gaunited.org/bargaining-whats-at-stake/

Grievances:
A grievance is filed when the administration violates the contract. If you are working more than 20 hours a week at your assistantship regularly — this is a violation of the contract. If your supervisor is threatening to fire you because they don’t like you — this is a violation of the contract. GAU helps individuals or groups of GAs who are being treated unfairly solve these types of problems.

Political Action:
GAU is working to bring your voices to the legislature. When politicians understand the value of education, they make a commitment to fund education. Further, GAU keeps an eye on bills and legislation in Illinois that might effect you. For example, did you know that concealed guns might be coming to campuses? We did! We will continue to bring your voices to the legislature.

We hope to work with you over the next year to create a better, stronger SIUC!

GAU Elections Are Here!

GAU will be having its annual election this FRIDAY April 29th 10am-12pm at the back end of the Student Center (the entrance near Neckers).

Here are your candidates and their statements:

President: Jim Podesva
My name is Jim Podesva, and I have had the honor of being the President of GAU for the last two years. With your permission, I would like to run for one more term. It will be my last, and I am running primarily because we are in the middle of a very difficult situation regarding bargaining.

When bargaining began, I naively thought it would last for six months or so, there would be some posturing, and eventually we would have an agreement and we could get on with growing this union. I could not have been more mistaken. The administration has rebuffed our efforts to reach an agreement that is beneficial both for the University and the graduate assistant community. We are working to improve our health care plan, secure multi-year contracts, and keep our fees down. So far, the University has offered us nothing. Literally nothing. I would, with your permission, like to see this process through to the end and put my name on a contract we can all be proud of.

Being President of GAU has often been frustrating, maddening, and downright aggravating at times. But that being said, this has also been one of the best experiences of my life, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I have learned so much, about people and institutions, and also about myself, that I could not have learned anywhere else. I am above all grateful for the trust you have shown in me. I am far from a perfect leader, but I have always tried to not violate the trust you have put in me. I want you to know that whatever I have done with GAU, it has been to improve the lives of all the graduate assistants at SIUC.

Thank you for your trust. I ask that you put your trust in me one last time, so we can get through these difficult circumstances together. Whatever your decision is, I want to thank you so very much for allowing me to serve you.

Vice-President for Communications: Kristi Brownfield
As a child, I was taught to leave things better than I found them. I see GA United as a vehicle to make that principle happen here at SIUC. I have been active in the union since I first started here in the Master’s program for Sociology in 2007 and plan on continuing my work next year. I have worked as a steward and as the Secretary/Treasurer of the union, as well as an active member of the bargaining team. This means I am familiar with the situation so far and I’m passionate about continuing this work. I also am a member of the Illinois Education Association’s Higher Education Council, have been an IEA Representative Assembly delegate for three years, and have attended the National Education Association’s Representative Assembly. This means I have strong connections to the larger affiliates; these connections mean I have a strong voice within the state and national picture.

I want to be the Vice-President of Communications because I believe graduate assistants deserve a strong voice within the university and the state. I want to make that happen. The VP of Communications’ job is to inform and empower graduate assistants on campus and I am eager to make that happen with your help.

Secretary/Treasurer: Dennis McDonald
I think it is crucial that GAU continues to represent Grad assistants and ensures that we as a group have a voice. I am happy to contribute my efforts as we build upon the great work of the officers and members that came before.