GEO, University reach tentative agreement; strike suspended (U of Illinois)

[fishwax]

Source: Daily Illini

The Strike Committee of the Graduate Employees' Organization voted unanimously to suspend their strike at a general membership meeting Tuesday evening.

According to a GEO press release, all 450 members present recommended the organization accept a contract agreement. Teaching assistants will be back in class tomorrow, and a coordinating committee will meet Wednesday to determine a timeline for a contract ratification vote.

The GEO and University bargaining teams reached a tentative contract agreement Tuesday during the second day of the GEO’s strike over tuition waiver security.



According to a GEO press release from Peter Campbell, the group’s communications officer, the agreement achieved protection for tuition waivers as well as increased health care premiums and higher minimum salaries for graduate students. It said the GEO “forced the administration to drop regressive contract proposals” that included furloughs and other items, though Campbell added that Tuesday’s agreement contained significant compromises from the group’s original proposal.

Read more: http://www.dailyillini.com/news/campus/2009/11/17/geo-university-reach-tentative-agreement-strike-suspended

---

This is, in the words of the GEO Press Release, a "Major Victory for Labor," but it's also a major victory for public education in the state of Illinois. Congrats to the GEO, and much thanks to those who expressed support for the cause.

[rockymountaindem]

1. Good for them!

[fishwax]

3. thanks, rockymountaindem!

I know you said in the other thread that they won't let you organize at your university (x(), but as they say in the labor movement, a threat to labor anywhere is a threat to labor everywhere, and a victory for labor anywhere is a victory for labor everywhere. Today, in the struggle against the corporatization of the university, that goes double for graduate student workers!

[rockymountaindem]

5. No, they won't let us organize

That's a shame because I have a ton of grievances. Standing around on the sidewalk with a sign that says "my department sucks!" probably won't solve them. However, my fantasy of yelling "RUN AWAY FROM HERE AND NEVER LOOK BACK!!!" at tours of prospective undergrads has started creeping back into my mind of late.

[Brickbat]

2. Hot damn! Way to go, GEO!

This is outstanding. Congratulations and solidarity to all!

[fishwax]

4. :)

Thanks Brickbat! Solidarity Forever!

[EFerrari]

6. Sounds good. I hope Cal has as good an outcome.

[fishwax]

7. I hope so too! Starts tomorrow, right?

Tomorrow and Thursday?

Give 'em hell, UC Students, Faculty, Staff, Instructors!

[caraher]

8. Congratulations!

I'm glad and not surprised that the administration came around quickly...

[fishwax]

9. Thanks! -- and thanks also for contacting

the administration. I thought the email you posted in the earlier thread made the point very well. It's exactly that argument (which, let's be honest, should have been obvious to the administration SEVEN MONTHS ago when we first proposed it for the contract) that forced the administration's hand.

I hope you enjoy your trip our way this week! :toast: