I am a graduate student instructor at a public university (guess where?) and in my second week in the program, our union voted for a week-long work stoppage. We are attempting to negotiate demands related to coronavirus relief, demilitarizing campus police, and support for international students. Our university, like most peer institutions, went for in-person classes to keep the money coming in.
I’ve been wanting to join a picket line for years, and I’m feeling a little antsy. But maybe this’ll help push labor politics just a bit further along. Solidarity forever/pigpoopballs. ✊🏽
Incredibly based, I hope your struggle inspires the grad students at my University to do the same
Get that bread!
Speaking of bread, if you can do anything to help your fellow striking workers, now is a great time to do it. Normally I'd bake something for the picket line, but with the quarantine I don't know if you have a physical one. See what you can do to promote a sense of community while you're off work. This doesn't have to be super on-the-nose stuff like starting a reading group, you could just organize movie night or boardgames. People can be pretty nervous during a strike, so simple stuff to ease everyone's nerves can help them keep their mettle. (Don't let this dip into any direct-action plans your union has like picketing.)
As much as I'm a die-hard spartan, we're all wolverines on this blessed day.
