After our April 19th General Membership Meeting, several members expressed interest in seeing the “State of the Union” address given by then co-president, Andrew O’Baoill, posted to the web. So, here it is…
It is customary, I understand, to start by claiming that the state of the union is strong. And while that is true, I want to take a more nuanced view today. If this were a report card, we might say “shows strong improvement. must remain diligent.”
We come together as this union, because we reject a logic of narrow self-interest. Session after session, as we bargained with the university this year, it was clear that they could not understand this. They cannot comprehend the value of solidarity, the strength we gain from being there for each other.
And yet the gains are obvious. Our bargaining team, led ably by Christopher Simeone, successfully bargained our second contract. It’s called the ‘difficult second contract’ for a reason – with energies drained, and focus dissipated after the recognition drive and first contract negotiation, it is so easy to stumble.
And yet, we gained: a three percent raise with backpay for this year
We gained progressive increases in the coming two years, with 3.3% increases to the minimum stipend. We gained guaranteed percentage subvention of our healthcare.
We won an important grievance when we showed the university that, however creative their manipulation, twelve months work requires twelve months of pay, not eleven.
There were broader gains outside our own contract struggle. AFSCME 698 [and others] also reached contract settlements with the university, and we stood with them in their struggles, as they stood with us in ours.
The university has finally, finally, done away with a mascot that symbolized and reinforced institutionalized racism on this campus.
Nationally, congress may soon pass the Employee Free Choice Act – a result of a changed balance in congress, and something that bodes well for unions and workers across this country.
Looking at our own gains, how did they come about?
We had increased involvement from members. Those of you who were here this time last year will remember that many of our activists were burnt out, disenchanted, and our elections left several positions unfilled. This year, we are facing a competitive election for the co-Presidency positions
We had energetic and creative activism. The Circus Parade, the spontaneous storming of Swanlund by our members, Grade-Ins and Open Office Hours. Over One Hundred and Fifty members outside Assembly Hall in minus twenty degree weather – on twenty-four hours notice!
Thoughtful and intelligent members. It is always awe-inspiring – actually it’s just plain inspiring – to work with GEO members, whether crafting messages, discussing finer points of strategy or brainstorming for future actions.
A Bold media campaign. Starting with billboards that drew national attention as well as that of the administration. Continuing with creative and eye-catching flyers and bus ads. Had bargaining dragged on our Communications team had a whole suite of further activities planned.
ORGANIZING, ORGANIZING, ORGANIZING:
We hired two temporary organizers – Anand and Patrick – to jump start our Fall campaign.
We hired a dynamic new staff organizer – Lori Serb – to join our now-seasoned staff organizer – Dave Beck. Many of you will also know Douglas West, who provides friendly and helpful office support.
Our organizing – by staff and members – paid off. We increased our card holders from 28% of the bargaining unit this time last year to 34% now.
There has also been significant work behind the scenes in perhaps less noticeable forms. Some of you will have noticed that we now provide childcare during membership meetings as a matter of course. We are working to develop caucuses and working groups focused on LGBT issues, healthcare and a range of other topics.
And we have continued to work with our coalition partners across a range of settings:
With STOP and CACC as part of the broader struggle for social justice here on campus.
With our union comrades on campus and in the county through the campus union partnership and the Central Labour Council. We benefited from support from AFSCME, Jobs with Justice, and others, in our contract struggle. We must stand with them in their fights in the months to come.
Nationally with our colleagues in the grad union movement, through AGEL – the alliance of Graduate Employee Locals – and CGEU – the Coalition of Graduate Employee Unions.
At the state level we have increased our visibility and involvement within the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the IFT, and particularly working with our sister unions at UI-Chicago and UI-Springfield, focusing on common struggles, such as around healthcare, and seeking improved support from the IFT for the extensive organizing needed by unions such as ours.
There is, of course, so much work left to do.
It seems clear that healthcare must be a priority for us as we move forward. The extent to which we are at the mercy of the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries was made clear recently when McKinley announced major increases in the cost of the contraceptive pill, as providers have chosen not to provide discounted product now that they are no longer required to do so.
We are working on possible legislative solutions to improve our healthcare, with the support of the IFT. The plan put forward by Gov Blagojevich is a start, but not enough.
We will need information from our members on their needs – and are working with GEO at UI-Chicago on a survey on this matter.
We must build alliances and coalitions, drawing on the expertise of groups such as Champaign County HealthCare Consumers.
And we must organize, organize, organize.
In the middle of this year we adopted a slogan: UNTIL WE WIN
We WON a new contract
We WON progressive wage increases
We WON the end to an oppressive and racist mascot.
But there are still so many struggles, and so many victories ahead:
For further improvements in wages, until we have true living wages
For quality affordable healthcare – for us. For our dependents. and for all those living in this, the ‘richest nation on earth’
For an education system based on respect, dignity and social justice. One in which online education can be embraced for the access it provides, rather than the profits it facilitates. One in which our voices as employees and as students are heard and listened to. One in which we can be proud not just of the intellectual achievements of our institution, but of the moral service it provides to our communities – a true commitment to Learning and Labor.
Some of these victories will take time to obtain, But the struggle is worth it.
Over 100 years ago a group of women strikers adopted a novel slogan: Bread and Roses. It enunciated an important truth:
Our struggle for higher wages need not be – must not be – at the expense of fun, of enjoyment.
I’m enjoying my part in the struggle.
I hope you are too, and that you’ll continue to stay with me. In that struggle. UNTIL WE WIN.