Announcements
October Monthly Membership Meeting
During the October Monthly Membership Meeting, UAW 4121 members voted on the finalized bylaws, incorporating the newest unit of employees, Research Scientists and Engineers A-4, into our Local. Members also discussed organizing and working group updates. For a recap and further info, the slide deck for the meeting is available here.
If you are interested in getting more involved, use this form to sign up for a working group!
Our monthly membership meetings are the 2nd Thursday of the month at 5pm. Our next meeting is November 9th at 5pm on Zoom.
Introducing ONE SLACK WORKSPACE for the Local!
It’s here! Connect with fellow members across all units, ask and answer questions, share and learn about opportunities to get involved and grow solidarity with one another. Fill out this form to join the UAW 4121 Slack! If you have already filled out the form and haven’t been added, hang tight. We’ll get you an invite as soon as we can.
Applications Open: Become an EPIC Trainer
Members from all three 4121 units (Academic Student Employees, Postdocs, and Research Scientists/Engineers A-4) have the opportunity to participate in and become peer trainers for the Empowering Prevention and Inclusive Communities (EPIC) program. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in empowering their colleagues to create a safer, more equitable environment at UW. These paid part-time positions are now posted and open to applicants.
Know Your Rights
Our contracts outline a very clear grievance procedure for resolving disputes with the University. If you think your rights have been violated, get in touch with your department steward or, in the absence of a steward, email the Contract Enforcement Working Group (CEWG, contractenforcement@uaw4121.org) as soon as possible, even if you are unsure if an issue is a grievance or if you want to formally file one.
Made up of members who have been trained in our contracts and grievance procedures, the CEWG is a collaborative resource that can help you navigate our contract, brainstorm resources, action plans, and organizing strategies, and if needed, file a grievance. Grievances have important filing deadlines that range from 7 to 180 days depending on the violation, and CEWG won’t move forward with a strategy without the affected person(s)’ consent. You can view the entirety of the Research Scientist A-4 contract or search for a specific issue here.
Upcoming Local 4121 Meetings, Events, Trainings
Organizing 101 Trainings
Our union is made up of members and it is only through member participation that we can build a strong, powerful community of colleagues.
Every month over the fall quarter, we will have Organizing 101 trainings to cover the basics of effectively connecting with our colleagues to build power for structural changes. The next training will be on Monday, 10/30 from 5-6pm on Zoom.
RSVP HERE to attend a training and come meet your fellow union members from across all three units, and bring a friend!
Sewliderity Circle
The next 4121 sewlidarity circle will be Saturday Oct 21st, 1-4pm in Odegaard 334.Bring your sewing, crafts, mending, knitting, crochet, weaving, whatever! We’ll watch a movie and vibe! (You’ll need your husky card to gain access to this building on the weekend!)
November General Election
City and county elections are coming up November 7th!
- Register to vote in Washington. If you register now, your ballot for the November election will arrive mid-October. All voting in Washington is done by mail.
- Seattle voters have four $25 democracy vouchers to give Seattle candidates! It costs you nothing, and helps a more diverse group of candidates run in Seattle than if people had to rely on private donations only.
- By pooling many small donations in UAW’s Voluntary Community Action Program (VCAP), our union can impact the campaigns of pro-labor candidates and help elect labor champions into local, state, and federal offices. If you are eligible to vote in the USA, then you can set up your contribution through the VCAP form on our website.
- Everyone (whether or not you are eligible to vote) can help get labor-supporting candidates elected by volunteering! To maximize our political power as a union, we’re sponsoring three door-to-door canvass events. Door-knocking is especially important in local elections like this, where media coverage is sparse, and the electorate is small. Please consider signing up for a canvass date and show up in your union gear (we’ll get you a shirt if you don’t already have one).
Beyond UW
All members in good standing can submit events/actions by emailing comms@uaw4121.org. Suggested content should be consistent with Local 4121’s core principles.
Labor Actions in Higher Ed & Beyond
We’re part of a movement and it’s been another big week in higher ed organizing across the country. Congratulations to:
Community Events
- The UW Harry Bridges Labor Studies Center will be holding their annual banquet on November 5th, 5-8pm in the HUB Ballroom. The event is open to all but space is limited and tickets are required. Event details and an RSVP are available here.
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