10/18/2019 update from the GTFF:
Over the last three days, over 85% of the membership has cast ballots in our strike authorization vote, and 1,044 grad employees—over 95% of voters—said Yes! We’re standing firm: no cuts to health care and a fair contract NOW!
I still think President Schill will come to his senses on this, but if not the strike will presumably start Nov. 4th.
Update: Deans asking undergrads and faculty to scab on grad students
The former would be CAS divisional Dean Hal Sadofsky, asking faculty to help find undergrads to do the work of GEs. The link for sign-ups has now been taken down or moved. The latter would be SOMD Dean Sabrina Madison-Cannon:
I am asking Area Heads for the following information:
- Please identify faculty in your area (including yourself) who do not have a full workload for fall term.
- Please identify faculty in your area (including yourself) who are willing to volunteer their services during a strike even if they have a full workload.
UAUO Pres Chris Sinclair has the following advice for faculty on how to avoid becoming a scab:
Full pdf here.
10/17/2019: What should faculty do if our GE’s strike?
The GTFF and the Administration proposals are very close, and the administration can avoid a strike simply by agreeing to cover most of any increases in health care costs for years 2 and 3 of the contract. That’s pretty much it. This is the same deal SEIU just got – for PEBB, which is a much more expensive insurance plan.
On the off chance they don’t, UAUO Pres Chris Sinclair gives this advice to faculty on their obligations during the ensuing strike: