BARGAINING
UPDATES

October 27, 2026

On Tuesday we met with the administration hoping they would respond to our Compensation proposal after 2 months of silence. Unfortunately, the administration continues to make us wait. The administration also has multiple important proposals, from Non-discrimination to Just Cause in the Exercise of Professional Judgment, collecting dust in their corner. When specifically asked to discuss the Just Cause in the Exercise of Professional Judgment proposal, the administration outright rejected the conversation. The entire day was spent trading counters back and forth over Hours of Work and Bargaining unit work.

In response to growing frustrations, graduate workers came from all across campus to the bargaining session calling for the administration to negotiate a fair contract at the table. The administration cannot continue to stay silent in the face of the collective power of graduate workers. Unity is strength, and on Tuesday we showed the administration how strong we are.

If you are tired of the University not giving you the fair working conditions you deserve, come to our next general body meeting on Thursday November 5th from 5-6 pm at Heymann Theatre. This meeting is open to all graduate workers regardless of union affiliation and we will have pizza!

You can also get involved in organizing by clicking here or if you want to join future bargaining sessions, sign up here. 

Don’t forget to fill out your membership card if you haven’t already. The administration will NOT have access to your membership card information (including whether or not you signed one) until our first contract is ready for ratification.

See this and previous updates and newsletters here. Also, fill out this form if your working conditions change. 

In solidarity,
Your bargaining committee

Lauren Wewer, Chair (MEMS)
Alisa Omelchenko, Recording Secretary (SOM)
Keanna Cash (SOE)      
Chi-Tsung Chang (English)
Hollen Tillman (SSW) 
Emily Ruttenberg (Math)
Jackson Wallace (Physics & Astronomy)
Matt Nader (USW)
Nate Kilbert (USW)
Don Shaffer (USW)