Know Your Rights: Politics & Protest

October 27th, 2023

UIC GEO 2022-2025

“Know Your Rights” Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Guide for Protecting Grad Workers’ Political Activity

Updated: 10/23/23


Purpose and context of this document: In light of systemic anti-Palestinian discrimination and repression of political activity at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), this document serves to document what is within the rights of graduate workers in terms of expressing political opinions and activity at their workplace. Read the contract in full here.


You cannot be retaliated against for your political activity. What is retaliation? 

From the UIC “Prohibition of Retaliation” policy: 

“Retaliation occurs when an employer or someone acting on behalf of the employer takes a Materially Adverse action against an individual in or outside of the workplace because the individual engaged in Protected Activity. Retaliatory actions may include: termination, demotion, reprimands, or threats; negative performance appraisals; changes in working conditions; reductions in compensation or status; or exclusion from participating in activities that contribute significantly to professional or educational advancement that otherwise would be available. Retaliatory actions may also include making false reports to government authorities, filing a civil action, requiring re-verification of work status, or taking adverse action against a close family member.


You cannot be discriminated against for your racial, ethnic, or religious identity. TA/GA appointments cannot be withheld or changed due to political activity or anything other than academic performance and criteria. 

From page 9 of the contract

“There will be no discrimination by either the Union or University against any person because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age, disability (including mental and physical), marital status, order of protection status, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, unfavorable discharge from the military, citizenship or immigration status, arrest record, or status as a protected veteran. The parties agree that personnel decisions, including reappointment, shall be based solely on job and academic-related criteria and performance.”


You cannot be bullied due to your political activity.

From page 10 of the contact: 

“The University of Illinois and the Union do not condone workplace bullying and will uphold the principles of the University Code of Conduct for all those acting on behalf of the University in a professional setting. This Code of Conduct can be found here:

https://www.ethics.uillinois.edu/compliance/university_code_of_conduct.”


Know your Weingarten Rights : If you believe that you may be interviewed or questioned in such a way that would lead to punishment, you should ask for a union representative! 

From the NLRB website on Weingarten Rights 

Among the rights protected by Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act is the right of union-represented employees, upon request, to have their representative present during an interview that the employee reasonably believes could lead to discipline.


You can gather for a peaceful protest.

All residents in the US have a constitutional right to assembly, and a right to free speech. While we do not condone breaking any municipal, state, or federal laws, police have been used to disrupt and break up peaceful protests. If you participate in a protest where there’s a possibility for arrest, here’s some advice and resources.



Protest Resources: 


Caveat: You may not use public workplace resources for prohibited political activity.

From Illinois State Law 430 Sec. 5-15.a.

“State employees shall not intentionally misappropriate any State property or resources by engaging in any prohibited political activity for the benefit of any campaign for elective office or any political organization.”


There are restrictions on using public funds and resources for political purposes. For example, if your department allows TAs to copy worksheets, you may not use that copier for printing political flyers to hang around campus. However, you may use the student Wepa printers around campus for this purpose instead. This is a subtle distinction which is even murkier for graduate student workers at UIC, since our time and workplace resources have a dual purpose. The UIC ethics training covers some of this material.


Learn More about Palestine: