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. We’ve joined with our labor community in King County in committing to take united action as necessary to protect our democracy — particularly given the intersecting and continuing fight against anti-Black racism and the ongoing COVID economic and health crises.
At this point, there’s a lot about the next few weeks that’s unpredictable, and the results of the election are unlikely to be finalized next week. Regardless of what happens, our power to respond quickly to support each other and our broader communities comes — as always — from strong member-to-member organizing in every department. Our new Post-Election Planning & Mobilization Working Group is working now to contact department organizers across UW, develop clear paths of communication and resources, coordinate with our broader communities, and more. Expect more detailed information about upcoming resources and events in the next few days.
Between now and the election, there are a number of key ways every UAW 4121 member can contribute:
- Get involved: The more members who take action, the better we’ll be positioned to support each other and take unified action. To join the next work group meeting, fill out this short form.
- Submit questions/concerns: Our work group is developing FAQs and other resources to ensure members get clear information about common issues and concerns. Submit your questions here.
- Vote: If you have any issues with your ballot or registering to vote, refer to the section later in this email for helpful resources from our colleagues in GPSS and the Washington Student Association.
- Call & text union members in Pennsylvania: Ensuring a landslide victory against Trump is key to protecting our democracy. UAW members are making calls and sending texts with the WA State Labor Council to union families in Pennsylvania in the final few days of voting. Sign up here.
Participate in upcoming events:
Now Hiring! Postdoc EPIC Trainer
Empowering Prevention and Inclusive Communities is hiring a new Postdoc training specialist! 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 position will have the opportunity to work with a team to develop, implement, and evaluate the Empowering Prevention and Inclusive Communities (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 Requestion #183371
Donate Warm Clothes & Supplies
Temperatures are dropping, and there’s a lot of people living outside who could use warm clothes, tents, sleeping bags, tarps, and other supplies. An easy way to help is to donate your unused cold-weather gear to community groups that will take it directly to people in need. If you have anything to offer, please consider donating – exposure and hypothermia kill many people every year, and having some of these items can make all the difference.
To donate your good condition cold-weather gear, please fill out this short form. Fellow UAW 4121 members are hosting drop-off locations in a few neighborhoods, or an organizer can come to you to pick up your donations (social distancing and masks required). If you have any questions or would like to get involved, feel free to contact one of the organizers at marissakparker@gmail.com.
International Solidarity Working Group (ISW)
- Immigrant Relief Fund: Our union organizing was part of the coalition that passed the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund. If you are a non-citizen who did not qualify for federal COVID-19 relief funds, please consider applying here.
- DHS Rule: Our ISW actively organized with fellow UAW Academic Workers to submit comments opposing a proposed DHS rule by the deadline earlier this week. In coordination with our organizing, Senator Patty Murray submitted this Dear Colleague letter opposing the rule, and co-signed by 27 other US Senators.
- Social Security Numbers: If any incoming international ASEs or Postdocs are having issues getting their social security numbers and if this is causing delays in getting paid, please contact the international solidarity workgroup at intl-workgroup@uaw4121.org. We’ve heard of reports of similar issues at other campuses.
- OPT: Over the past week, there has been news of over 1100 OPT work permits being revoked with allegations of “fraud”. We do not yet know of cases at UW. If you have been affected by these OPT developments, please reach out at intl-workgroup@uaw4121.org.
Resources for Ballot Issues & Voter Registration
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.
If you have trouble with voter registration or your ballot, check out these helpful resources from our colleagues in colleagues in GPSS and the Washington Student Association:
- Voting Center on campus at the Dempsey Indoor Center: Anyone can visit to update their registration, register and print their ballot, or use accessible voting tech. The Voting Center is open Saturday, October 31st, 10:00am-4:00pm; Monday, November 2nd, 8:30am-6:30pm; Tuesday, November 3rd, 8:30am-8:00pm.
- Ballot Box locations
- Registration and ballot FAQs
Housing Justice Working Group
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 on November 11th!
In an effort to get a better sense of how COVID-19 is affecting UAW 4121 members’ housing stability, our Housing Justice Working Group has also created this quick poll. Please take a minute today to fill it out, and email housing-justice@uaw4121.org for more information and to get involved.
Postdocs – Take the Bargaining Survey Today!
Postdoc bargaining starts soon! Postdocs, please take a few minutes now to complete the 2020 Postdoc bargaining survey.
Given how COVID-19 has impacted early career researchers like ourselves, your input is especially critical at this time. Responses will be used to help develop bargaining demands and proposals in the coming weeks that are representative of Postdocs’ collective needs. Every Postdoc’s input is needed to 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!
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.
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
