My name is Ellen Graham, and I’m an ASE Head Steward in Biostatistics. Yesterday, the NIH announced plans to slash the indirect cost rate of its grants. These cuts would have devastating impacts on UW and universities across the US. Our research, our jobs, and the communities we serve are currently in danger.
This is only the latest in the billionaire class’s attacks on workers, unfolding via attempts to defund critical public health research and academic institutions serving the public good. Now is the time for us to fight back. Join your coworkers at the Fund Don’t Freeze: Seattle rally on Wednesday 2/19 at noon at Portage Bay Vista (in front of Genome Sciences) as a part of a national day of action to fight against these executive orders: RSVP for the rally here.
Share your stories, concerns, and questions about these federal policy changes and get connected to fellow union members organizing around these issues by filling out this survey.
In addition to the 2/19 Rally, here are other ways to get involved:
- Attend an online info session on Monday, February 10 at 6pm, hosted by the UAW Higher Ed Department, to learn more about the NIH’s actions and what they mean for academic workers
- Join the Labor for Higher Ed national strategy session on Thursday 2/13 at 5pm with academic workers from across the country to get connected to the broader national movement
- Join #funding_freeze_organizing channel on our union’s slack and come to our weekly organizing meetings 6pm Tuesdays
These actions are a crucial step towards coming together to protect our work and each other in the face of continuing attacks. Join me and thousands of your coworkers to build a unified front to resist the actions of the Trump Administration.
In Solidarity,
Ellen Graham, ASE Head Steward