(via the Illinois Federation of Teachers)
After more than a year of unproductive negotiations and several months working without a contract, IFT members in the University of Illinois-Chicago Graduate Employees Organization (UIC GEO, Local 6297) were forced to the picket lines this morning. They need our help to prevail! UIC GEO includes more than 1,500 teaching and graduate employees at the U of I Chicago campus. While they fight to earn a fair agreement with a living wage, fair hiring practices, and workplace rights, UIC enrollment is at record highs and the university president has received $100K bonuses for three years in a row. Please show your support for our UIC GEO brothers and sisters! Here’s what you can do:
Rally with members and supporters tomorrow, Wednesday, March 20 at 12 pm. The rally will be held on UIC campus behind Student Center East (750 S. Halsted Street, Chicago).
Join the picket lines. Picketing will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 am – 4 pm and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:20 am – 4 pm. Picketing will take place in front of classroom buildings, including Science and Engineering, Behavioral Sciences, East Campus Library, Public Health, and more. Click here for an interactive campus map to see building locations. You can also visit strike headquarters at the Latino Cultural Center (803 South Morgan Street, Chicago) to be directed to a picket line.
Post photos and messages of solidarity on Facebook and Twitter!Use the hashtags #UICGEOstrike, #uicUnionPower and #FairContractNow. Follow and tag UIC GEO on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on strike news.
E-mail Chancellor Michael Amiridis to urge UIC administration to bargain a fair contract.
Please show your support for these professionals who provide essential services to UIC students!