Fellow workers,
🗳 This week, we are excited to share that the UAW International Elections have concluded with a win for Shawn Fain and the Members United Slate. This was the first-ever direct election in UAW history and a major step towards a member-led union. The Shoestring wrote about what the impacts of reform in the UAW might look like for us in Western Mass.
✊ As of Friday, the staff at Goddard College went on strike until the administration meets their demands in bargaining. Goddard is one of the shops within our local, UAW 2322, and are our colleagues working in higher education. Please signdavid. Donations to the Goddard staff’s hardship fund would also be appreciated.
📢 On March 22, residents of University Village (graduate family housing) and other graduate workers marched on the Whitmore administration building to deliver written demands to the Vice Chancellor. They primarily demanded that the rent be lowered to no more than 30% of a 20-hour contract, charged monthly. While the residents await a response, they will be making posters and taking a group photo at the Student Parent Program event at Kendrick Park near Downtown Amherst, on Saturday April 1st, from 10am-noon. Residents have asked GEO members to provide materials (posters, markers, etc.) to make posters demanding an answer from the administration. GEO members are also welcome to come help make the posters and get to know the residents and the unique issues they face.
📰 In other UAW news, The Special Bargaining Convention is taking place this week in Detroit. Our local sent two delegates, Christopher Claypool and David Pritchard, to set the UAW’s overall bargaining agenda for the next four years. On the list of priorities for our delegates are resolutions to fight for COLA (Cost of Living Adjustments), strike readiness within locals, and renewed support for higher education shops. Keep your eyes peeled for their report back on the convention proceedings!
💸 In conjunction with the Massachusetts Higher Ed for All Committee, an event at MASS MoCA in North Adams, to call for the abolition of student debt will take place on Friday, April 14th, from 4:30-6:00 PM. kelli rae adams, whose exhibit, “Forever in Your Debt,” is featured at the museum, will speak. For the most up to date information on the event, please fill out the following mobilize form. We hope to see you there!
If you’re interested in plugging into the work that GEO is doing, please join us in our weekly organizing committee meeting on Mondays from 5:30 – 7 PM geo if there is anything you’d like to include in our weekly newsletters.
Solidarity,
GEO Leadership
geouaw.org
