Action Needed! ASE Bargaining Straw Poll
Last Friday, the last day of our contract, UW offered us their “last, best, and final” offer. Since then, members have been engaging in substantial discussion about the offer and our options for next steps — including in membership meetings, department meetings, and 1-to-1 conversations. To help guide our decision on next steps, all members are encouraged to participate in these discussions and then vote in this straw poll, which will close Thursday May 13 at midnight! (Note that this is not a formal ratification vote, but an informal poll to help guide next steps.)
You can find more information about ASE bargaining here. If you would like to get connected with department organizers or get support in organizing your own area meeting, please reach out to the ASE organizing committee at: ase-organizing@uaw4121.org.
Board of Regents Meeting 5/13 & Bargaining Office Hours
Our contract expired last week and admin refused to extend it — you can read summaries of the last proposals here. Join us in collective action at the Board of Regents meeting on May 13 at 10:30am to demand we continue to receive a student fee waiver or lump sum payout. This is a perfect opportunity for anyone who wants to share their perspective on the current offer, especially about the impact that fees ($248 per quarter) have on us as ASEs. RSVP now to the May 13th Board of Regents Meeting to receive more details.
We will hold open “office hours” at the below times to answer any questions about this and help members draft public comments to submit to the Board of Regents in writing (no RSVP necessary!).
Membership Meeting Thurs 5/13
Our next membership meeting will be Thursday 5/13 from 5-6pm, and will be conducted via Zoom. To access the link and/or call-in number, please fill out this short form. The proposed agenda for the meeting is as follows:
- Approve Agenda
- Approve Minutes
- Elections committee updates
- International Student Solidarity Workgroup
- Postdoc organizing
- ASE bargaining
- Upcoming Events and Actions
- Adjourn
Any member who would like to propose additional agenda items or submit materials for the meeting is welcome to email uaw4121@uaw4121.org by 5pm on Wednesday, May 12. All members in good standing are encouraged to attend, and anyone who is not yet a member can sign up here beforehand.
Join the Political Workgroup for Seattle Mayoral Interviews
Election season is coming up and the Political Workgroup is working on our local’s endorsements for 2021. (If you’re interested in getting involved, please email Political@uaw4121.org). The race for the next Mayor of Seattle is crowded and we will be holding interviews with each candidate that returned our questionnaire. All members are encouraged to attend one or more interviews. Please RSVP here.
Now Hiring! Postdoc EPIC Trainer
Empowering Prevention and Inclusive Communities (EPIC) is hiring 2 new Postdoc training specialists! The EPIC program is an innovative peer-to-peer harassment prevention training program jointly run between our union and the university, and was a major win from the most recent ASE and Postdoc contracts.
The Postdoctoral Scholar Training Specialist positions will have the opportunity to work with a team to develop, implement, and evaluate the EPIC program. The Training Specialist is a 20% FTE position. This position focuses on working with the UW Postdoctoral Scholar community and will build on the EPIC program that was originally developed in 2018-2019. The Training Specialist will facilitate trainings and support the wellbeing and safety of the University of Washington community. The training program includes information regarding sexual harassment, discrimination, intersectional power dynamics, bystander intervention strategies, response options, UW policies and procedures, and union rights. You can apply on UW Hires (UW Requisition #189319).
International Solidarity Working Group
With the new Biden administration in the White House, we have a unique and exciting opportunity to encourage the reversal of harmful and discriminatory immigration policies introduced by the Trump administration; to reform existing immigration policies through programs like the US Citizenship Act of 2021; and to encourage changes to existing programs such as abolishing discriminatory single-entry visas for students from certain countries like China and Iran, or allowing spouses of student F1 visa holders to legally work in the US. If you are interested in helping advocate for a better visa and immigration system in the US, please fill out this form. The International Solidarity Working Group will provide you with the tools, training, and group support you’ll need to help advocate for international and undocumented scholar rights! Everyone from any congressional district in any state is welcome–especially if you live outside district 7, where most of our members reside.
Postdoc Childcare Fund Enrollment is now open!
Postdoc caregivers: enrollment is now open for the Postdoc Childcare fund. Enroll today.
The Postdoc Childcare Fund is now accepting responses for the first half of 2021. Our collective bargaining agreement provides for a caregiving fund of $45,000 in 2021 that is distributed semiannually. Funds will be distributed in June for Postdoc caregivers who worked at UW anytime from January to June 2021. If you are a Postdoc parent or caregiver, enroll today. Please reach out to the Family Friendly Workgroup with any questions or to get more involved.
In Solidarity,
Douglas Avella-Castro
Leandro Casiraghi
Amanda Clouser
Max Friedfeld
Kaelie Giffel
Vern Harner
Dan Hart
Colleen Hoffman
Amzi Jeffs
Levin Kim
Kyle Kubler
Kristin McCowan
Erin Morgan
Emily Myers
Anzela Niraula
Jacob O’Connor
Elena Pandres
Nayon Park
Marissa Parker
David Parsons
Shua Sanchez
Solmaz Shakerifard
Sam Sumpter
Samantha Thompson
Judy Twedt
Momona Yamagami |
