Greetings,
We are organizing car-pooling to support the University of Oregon Graduate Teaching Fellows, who have given notice and plan to strike on Tuesday the 2nd of December if no agreement is reached. Picket lines will be set up at 8 am on Tuesday the 2nd. We propose meeting to carpool at the Native American Center at 6:45 am, departure at 7 am sharp.
Come out and support this critical struggle!
Please reply to margaret@aaup-oregon.org to let us know that you are planning to come so that we can let you know if there is a settlement. Margaret is coordinating this (thanks!). If our needs exceed our carpooling infrastructure, AFT might be able to help with a bus.
There is also a rally at 5:00 pm on Monday the first of December for supporters who are able to go down.
One key issue at the table is a GTFF proposal which would create up to 2 weeks of paid leave fore medical hardship or new parenthood. This proposal would cost the university approximately $35,000 a year. For the administration, this is a matter of "principle" that part-timers don't get paid leave. The graduate employees are also seeking raises in wages and continued language limiting student fees and preserving the existing health care split at 95% university paid.
José Padín
VP of Grievances & Academic Freedom