Solidarity!Uniting on various issues for collective action.
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As a labor union, we stand for the right for groups on campus to speak up about issues they care about. We have serious concerns about the chilling effect of new policy changes on protected union activities and student advocacy, and we are demanding UConn immediately take back these new policies aimed at limiting the voices of students and the labor movement. Solidarity Statement with
On April 22, graduate workers at Wesleyan University delivered a letter to the university administration requesting voluntary recognition of the Wesleyan Graduate Labor Union (WesGLU). We, the graduate and postdoctoral employees of the University of Connecticut GEU-UAW Local 6950, write to express our strong support for the workers of WesGLU. We stand in solidarity with our counterparts at Wesleyan University who seek fair representation and a voice in shaping their working and teaching conditions. We strongly urge Wesleyan’s administration to recognize the essential labor of graduate workers and their right to collectively bargain. This begins with committing to a process for an independent third party to review ballot signatures and verify the more than 76% of graduate workers who have signed cards to be represented by OPEIU Local 153. Moving forward with this process is a crucial step to ensuring that the voices of students and workers are heard and respected. As institutions committed to the pursuit of knowledge and the advancement of academic excellence, both the University of Connecticut and Wesleyan University share a responsibility to uphold the rights and dignity of all members of their communities. Recognizing WesGLU aligns with the principles of fairness, justice, and inclusivity that are fundamental to the mission of higher education. Day in Action
Advocating for UConn's future at the 'Day in Action' event! Union members and student united at the Board of Trustees meeting to speak out against budget cuts. Together, we stand strong for our university! Open Letter - Stop the Cuts!
Left to right: Mckenzie Bergan, John Briseno, Asadul Tanvir, Luis Prieto, Eric Berg, Grace Easterly, Marie Nour Nakhle, Jimmy Palmer, XX, Catalina Vásquez-Marchant
With 427 signatures, we dropped off our open letter regarding the budget cuts to President Radenka's office on 2/1. While we are fighting for a fully-funded UConn, our leaders are not asking for the same. Palestine CeasefireDuring the November 2023 General Membership Meeting (GMM), the US Labor Movement Call for Ceasefire in Israel and Palestine was brought up by members of the Social Justice Committee (SJC). The SJC unanimously recommended that the union sign on to the call for a ceasefire and informed that Region 9a had already signed on to the call. It was discussed and called to motion to have our union sign. Motion was passed per majority member votes at the GMM and our GEU-UAW Local 6950 signed the call below. Later our parent union, the UAW, signed on to the call. If you like to read the call on the website, click here.
UAW Picket Line
March Against Fossil Fuels
The climate march was brought up by a member during our September 2023 General Membership Meeting to request a motion for the union to endorse the climate march and their demands (e.g., goals include stop federal funding for new fossil fuel projects). A unanimous vote per all members present, the union endorsed the climate march. Two members planned and organized to travel with other members (GAs and students) to the March to End Fossil Fuels event in NYC on September 17th. |
March for Palestine
The university is a place for learning and for civil liberties to be respected. Given the importance of free speech and freedom of assembly in public space, we condemn the administration’s mobilization of the police. Collective Power Conference
Left to right: San, Urvi, Salem, Zubair
Budget cuts to UConn are not only threatening students' work, but also what their research can contribute to the future of the state! Higher Ed Night at the Capital
We joined forces with over 200 higher education union and committee members statewide, gathering at the Legislative Office Building with a unified purpose: advocating for our fundamental right to quality higher education. Together, we urged Governor Lamont to fully fund UConn. Every student's future deserves investment! UConn Labor Coalition Picket
Ben Stumpf (left) and Jason Tosta (right) from the Graduate Employee and Postdoc Union lead a chant during informational picket at the UConn Seal in front of the Homer Babbidge Library at the UConn Storrs campus on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. (Aaron Flaum/ Hartford Courant)
Stop Cop CityWhereas, UAW local 6950 is committed to social and environmental justice. Whereas, the movement to Defend Weelaunee Forest/Stop Cop City is an expression of these. Whereas, UAW Local 6950 is an organization comprised of academic workers who express the above values and further understand the central importance for the labor movement to defend basic democratic rights of due process, free speech, and freedom to organize. Whereas, the groundless charges of “domestic terrorism” against Forest Defenders are blatant violations of these rights. Whereas, Forest Defenders are being held without bond, without probable cause, and indefinitely in violation of at least the Fourth and Sixth amendments to the United States’ Constitution. Whereas, the purpose of these charges, which appear by all accounts to be both illegal and unconstitutional, is to quell dissent and create fear in the Defend Weelaunee Forest movement. Whereas, the police have already murdered one activist - Manny “Tortuguita” Paez-Terán while they were laboring to protect the forest. Whereas, any acts of political violence and repression by the state must be opposed by organized labor and social justice groups. Be it resolved that, UAW local 6950 calls for all charges of domestic terrorism be dropped against Forest Defenders. Be it further resolved, Local 6950 stands with the movement to Stop Cop City and Defend Weelaunee Forest. Be it further resolved, Local 6950 is committed to publicizing the facts of government overreach, police violence, and impacts of Cop City to the broadest possible audience. Be it further resolved, Local 6950 opposes any further escalation by Atlanta, Dekalb County, Georgia, Federal, or any other state agencies attacks on activists. Be it further resolved, Local 6950 calls on every union in Connecticut to publicly denounce these attacks on democratic rights. |
