RSVP for our Town Hall To Discuss Next Steps on Thursday 3/27!
With more than 70% of postdocs and graduate workers having signed authorization cards, we are excited to announce that we filed our petition with the Massachusetts Department of Labor (DLR) to certify CORE-UAW as our union! Given the recent announcements from the UMass Chan administration about funding cuts, it is more important than ever for us to come together and form our union so that once certified, we can have a say in decisions that affect our work in these uncertain times.
The DLR will now count our cards to confirm our majority and certify the union. Once our union is certified, we will elect bargaining committees, democratically decide our priorities, and begin negotiating contracts with the UMass Chan administration.
Yesterday we filed our petition with the Massachusetts DLR with supermajority support.
To discuss next steps now that we have filed, we will be holding an informational Town Hall meeting next Thursday, March 27 at 1:30 PM ET at Hiatt Auditorium. This will be an opportunity to meet other postdocs and grad workers, get answers to any questions you may have about our union, and discuss the recent federal funding cuts and UMass Chan’s response. Food and beverages will be provided. Please RSVP here so we know how many people to expect.
Finally, here are some upcoming actions that UAW academic workers across the country are organizing to fight back against the federal research funding cuts.
- TODAY – Thursday, March 20 at 5 PM – Phone Bank: Help make calls to UAW members across the country to encourage them to reach out to their Congressional representatives about protecting federal research funding in upcoming budget negotiations. UAW President Shawn Fain will also join! RSVP here.
- Saturday, March 22 at 12 PM – Planning Call for 4/8 Day of Action: Join other UAW academic workers and allies to plan the upcoming Day of Action on April 8 protesting cuts to federal research funding, and to help plan a local rally. RSVP here.
- Wednesday, March 26 at 3 PM – “Know Your Rights” Webinar: International scholars and allies are invited to this webinar to ask questions and hear from an immigration attorney about our legal rights and how to protect and enforce them. RSVP here.
- Tuesday, April 8 – Nationwide Day of Action: UAW academic workers will rally and call on elected leaders across the country to protest against the Trump administration’s attacks on research, healthcare, and our rights to free speech.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or thoughts at info@
In solidarity,
Natasha Buwa
Postdoctoral Associate, Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology
Erica Katz
Graduate Worker, Dermatology
Members of the CORE-UAW Organizing Committee