Post-Election Planning & Mobilization
Over the past several weeks, UAW members and others in our broader labor community have increasingly been building discussions concerning the Trump administration’s refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power after the November election. At last night’s King County Labor Council (MLK Labor) meeting, our union joined with our broader King County labor community in voting to take united action as necessary to protect democracy and a peaceful transfer of power.
In order to continue these conversations and preparations as a union, and in coordination and coalition with our labor community, UAW 4121 members are starting a working group for Post-Election Planning and Mobilization. Our first meeting will be next week on Tuesday 10/27 from 4-5pm via Zoom. All UAW 4121 members are welcome and encouraged to join! To RSVP or express interest in future meetings, please fill out this short get involved form. Additionally, if you have questions or concerns you’d like to see addressed in future FAQs or info sessions, please fill out this short question form.
Attention Postdoc Caregivers!
The Postdoc Family Friendly Working Group (familyfriendly@uaw4121.org) has finalized a reimbursement system for the $30,000 Postdocs won for caregivers in our first contract. Funds will be distributed in December for postdoc caregivers who have worked at UW anytime from January through December of 2020. Please fill out this form by November 15th to be considered for reimbursement. Eligibility and amounts given will be need-based and determined after all responses are collected.
Postdocs – Bargaining Survey Reminder
Postdocs – please complete the 2020 Postdoc bargaining survey today! The current Postdoc collective bargaining agreement (CBA) expires January 31st, 2021, so we will be entering the bargaining process in the upcoming weeks. The bargaining process is a crucial opportunity for Postdocs to secure and improve our working conditions, including our wages, benefits, rights, anti-discrimination and-harassment protections, appointment security, academic rights, international students’ rights, and more. Given how COVID-19 has impacted early career researchers like ourselves, your input is especially critical at this time! Lend your voice now by completing the survey to provide feedback on important bargaining topics so we can develop bargaining demands and proposals in the coming weeks that are representative of Postdocs’ collective needs.
Your input will ensure that our bargaining agenda is responsive to Postdocs’ needs and will also send a strong message that our voices must be heard. Please reach out to uaw4121@uaw4121.org if you have any questions or want to get involved!
General Election Endorsements
Vote your whole ballot! There are several critical ballot measures and local races that need your vote too! Check out our 2020 General Election Endorsements here to get more info.
In addition to the presidential election, the 2020 General Election features critical races in Washington state that will determine how we move forward and address the intersecting crises of public health, climate, racial justice, and the economy. UAW members across the country are massively mobilizing to contact voters and ensure our candidates win on Nov 3rd. You can join fellow UAW members in getting out the vote by signing up here.
The deadline to register online to vote or change your address (and still receive a mail-in ballot) is October 26th! Ballots will start arriving on October 16th, and ballot drop boxes close promptly at 8 pm on the 3rd of November.
Participate in DHS Public Comments against Proposed Visa Changes
Your participation is needed to roll back a proposed DHS rule that will harm international ASEs and Postdocs. The rule change will impose arbitrary limits on the duration of international student/scholar visas, and create additional complications that are clearly designed to discourage entry to and work in the U.S. For a list of Frequently Asked Questions about this proposed rule and other information particularly relevant for international students/scholars, please check out this page.
Submit a comment here to DHS in support of UW’s international scholars. In addition, our International Solidarity Workgroup will be drafting an institutional comment on behalf of UAW 4121, and please attend our weekly meetings Monday at 5:30pm in order to participate. The deadline for submitting comments is October 26th. Please take action today!
Tenant Rights Bootcamp
On Wednesday, November 11th at 6pm, the Housing Justice Workgroup will be co-hosting a Tenant Rights Bootcamp with Be:Seattle. Please RSVP here!
The Tenant Rights Bootcamp is a workshop that will give you all the information you need to know about your rights as a tenant in Seattle: everything from moving in, during your tenancy, moving out, and fighting evictions. Join us at this important event and learn how to assert your rights! Find out more about Be:Seattle’s Bootcamps here. Again, you can RSVP here to join us on November 11th!
In solidarity,
Douglas Avella-Castro
Leandro Casiraghi
Amanda Clouser
Monica Cortés Viharo
Max Friedfeld
Vern Harner
Dan Hart
Amzi Jeffs
Sam Kastner
Kyle Kubler
Kristin McCowan
Emily Myers
Anzela Niraula
Jacob O’Connor
Elena Pandres
Nayon Park
Marissa Parker
David Parsons
Shua Sanchez
Paige Sechrest
Solmaz Shakerifard
Sam Sumpter
Judy Twedt
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