Earlier this quarter, we made demands to UW to take concrete steps to support and protect individuals affected by the travel bans. Thanks to action by UAW 4121 members – through thousands of ratification votes and direct actions during our bargaining session – the University has responded.
First the international student fee was indefinitely suspended! This was a huge victory, several years in the making; and you can read more about it here.
Today, we learned that the University intends to reach out to affected students in the next week about another of our key demands: the provision of funding over the summer for people who are not able to travel and can’t work off campus.
This is an important step! A few days after UW came to the bargaining table with no proposals, we’re seeing signs of movement. But we’re not done yet. We will hold the University accountable to following through on this critical issue, and to find funding for everyone who is unable to work and travel this summer.
If you are among the individuals in this situation, please contact your union representative or the international solidarity work group immediately so someone can help assist and support you while this process develops.
We will convene tomorrow (Thursday 5/25] at 12:00 noon on the HUB lawn to provide updates and for a short action to keep the visibility high around this critical issue. Please join with other UAW members, and forward this email to everyone you know!
In Solidarity,
Theresa Aliwarga
Douglas Avella-Castro
Andrea Canini
Anthony Castanza
Ying-Yu Chen
Monica Cortes Viharo
Kristen Garofali
Arshiya Hoseyni Chime
Katya Kolesova
Dylan Mayer
Elizabeth Mills
Chelsea Pagan
David Parsons
Michelle Pham
Shua Sanchez
Viral Shah
Sam Sumpter
Arash Tarkhan
Judy Twedt