Please find below a message from our union colleagues of the GTFF at the University of Oregon, with whom LCCEA stands in solidarity as they work toward a fair contract for graduate employees, which may necessitate exercising their right to withhold their labor:

The Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation (the GTFF) is the union of nearly 1500 graduate employees (GEs) at the University of Oregon. We make UO run by teaching, grading, and researching, but not a single GE currently makes a living wage. The GTFF has been bargaining with UO administrators since March and have won a great deal: protections from misgendering and caste discrimination; reimbursement of visa fees for international workers; additional prep and planning time; and more. But the University refuses to pay GTFF workers for the value we create. In light of this, 90% of GTFF members voted in a strike authorization vote, with 97% voting yes. 

We have a few humble and vital asks of solidarity from LCCEA: first, it has come to our attention that the University of Oregon intends to attempt to hire scab workers to undermine our labor power in the event of a strike. In particular, we expect them to reach out to LCCEA members to fill our roles as teachers and graders. We ask you to say no to scab jobs!

Second, if you are able, the GTFF welcomes donations to their Strike Fund. Anything that does not get used by our local’s strike will be distributed to other labor unions in our community and state to support the struggle for dignified wages, benefits, and protections. And of course, we would heartily plan to return the favor when the time comes.

Finally, if GTFF does walk off, we welcome you to our picket lines!