r/illinoispolitics

I’m on here because I’m desperate and I don’t know what else to do. If y’all didn’t know, grad workers at UIC have been on strike for more than two weeks and have been working without a contract for about a year or so. This is because UIC administration insists on not meeting our request to be treated with human decency. There’s even rumours that they’re planning on retaliating towards grad workers for striking by canceling summer classes and locking us out in the fall if we don’t settle the contract.

Fam, they want us to accept a measly 2% raise!!! With inflation and residing in a high-cost of living city, that does jack-sh*t for us. They’re literally playing in our faces—especially since they’re planning on raising costs associated with our school based insurance called CampusCare (and have raised tuition).

A lot of my friends and I are barely scrapping by as is with salary of less than 24k. But Chicago is a union town and I’m hoping I can count on y’all to stand with us. Sending a supportive email showing that you care about our well-being can make the biggest difference.

I have all the necessary information below. All you would have to do is copy + paste and hit send!

Subject Line: Community Member Concerned About Graduate Workers

Dear [UIC Administration/Chancellor Miranda/Keino Robinson/President Killeen], 

I am writing to you to express my support for the bargaining demands of graduate workers at UIC. As a community supporter, I want to ensure that UIC and UIHealth is treating its workers with dignity and respect. For that to happen I think it is important for graduate workers at UIC to earn a living wage, get access to affordable and adequate healthcare, and be protected from ICE so that they can continue to do great teaching and research work. All workers in the UI system deserve a living wage and job security despite the austerity cuts being made that affect students, faculty, hospital staff and patients. The UI system can truly be a just and supportive community, but not without dignity for all of its workers.

I urge you to come to an equitable and fair agreement with GEO as soon as possible to end this strike and any disruptions that could affect my future at UIC. 

Thanks,
(my name)

Email addresses:

UIC admin email about the strike:
Chancellor Miranda: chancellor AT UIC DOT EDU
Keino Robinson (Director of Labor and Employee Relations): keinor AT UIC DOT EDU
President Killeen: tkilleen AT UIC DOT EDU