For Immediate Release: UIC grad workers to rally for fair contract

NOON TODAY: UIC grad workers rally for fair contract

CHICAGO – Graduate workers at the University of Illinois in Chicago will rally today at noon as their fight for a fair contract continues. While progress has been made on some substantive issues, the University refuses to offer a wage that workers can live on. This is especially important for international graduate workers who cannot obtain employment outside of campus due to their visa status.

“We are rallying today to share our stories about graduate working conditions at UIC,” said UIC GEO Organizing Chair Matt DeVilbiss. “Costs are rising and workers are hurting, but UIC won’t budge from a measly 2% raise. Our work, time, and energy support this institution, and they return the favor with poverty-level pay. It’s insulting.”

WHAT: UIC GEO Strike Rally

WHO: UIC Graduate Employee Organization (UIC GEO, IFT Local 6297) members

WHERE: UIC Quad: 803 S Morgan Street Chicago IL 60607 (Parking is available east of the Quad in the UIC parking structure at Polk and Halsted. Access the Quad by walking east from the parking structure and through Student Center East.)

WHEN: Monday, April 25, NOON

Bargaining will continue this week. Tomorrow, faculty members intend to deliver letters of support for graduate workers to University administration. Faculty will not be able to enter final grades if the strike persists through finals.

The UIC Graduate Employees Organization, Local 6297 of the Illinois Federation of Teachers-American Federation of Teachers, is the member-run union that represents more than 1,500 Teaching Assistants and Graduate Assistants at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

The Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) represents 103,000 teachers and paraprofessionals in PreK-12 school districts throughout Illinois, faculty and staff at Illinois’ community colleges and universities, public employees under every statewide elected constitutional officer, and retirees.