On Wednesday, October 8th, the Graduate Employees’ Organization held a noontime rally on the south side of the Illini Union to kick off its Fall Work-In. During the two day Work-In, graduate employees from across the campus taught classes, graded papers, prepared research, and met with students on the Quad. The purpose of the Work-In was to demonstrate that graduate employees perform important work at the university and deserve respect and progress towards a fair contract.
Original press release:
This Wednesday, the Graduate Employees’ Organization will hold a noontime rally on the south side of the Illini Union to kick off its Fall Work-In. During the two day Work-In, hundreds of teaching, research, and graduate assistants at the University of Illinois will be participating in the event, going from Wednesday October 8th to Thursday, October 9th from 12-4 PM.
During the Work-In, graduate employees from across the campus will teach classes, grade papers, prepare research, and meet with students on the Quad. The purpose of the Work-In is to demonstrate that graduate employees perform important work at the university and deserve respect and progress towards a fair contract.
GEO member and Graduate Assistant Mike Rosenow talked about his support for the Work-In. “My work as an advisor for History undergraduates is rewarding since it allows me to help students – discussing course schedules, college requirements, and career goals. I support the GEO’s Work-In because it highlights the important work that graduate employees perform, inside and outside of the classroom.”
A major concern for many graduate employees’ is the state of their health insurance, currently under discussion in contract negotiations. According to Bryan Nicholson, GEO Communications Officer, the current grad package doesn’t provide the level of care that all university employees need to perform their duties. “When grad employees can’t afford to see a doctor or have to spend time arguing medical bills with the insurance company, that translates into more sick days and diminishes the quality of undergraduate teaching.”