Grad Union Demands Recognition

Despite the administration's refusal to even talk to representatives of the GEO, in April 1997 the GEO held a campus-wide union election that was monitored and certified by the Religious Workers' Association of Urbana-Champaign. The election was run according to IELRB rules. Graduate employees poured into the polling stations to register support for the GEO and dismay at the university's union-busting tactics. And although it carries no legal weight, the election was won by the GEO in a two-to-one landslide. There are weekly marches to the office of the Chancellor, where the GEO invites the administration to bargain. Also, the GEO is actively pursuing solidarity with other unions. This is a point of particular interest to the GEO since many activists feel that it would be a mistake to allow the grad union to become isolated from the struggles of the labor movement in central Illinois. Additionally, the struggle has penetrated the Chicago campus of the University of Illinois, where a group of activists has set up the UIC-GEO. We would encourage you to write to Chancellor Michael Aiken, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 601 E. John Street, Champaign, IL 61820 or fax to 217-244-4121. Please send a copy of your letter to the GEO at: GEO, 1001 S. Wright Street, Champaign, IL 61820 (fax 217-333-3072) or e-mail GEO at taunion@uiuc.edu You may visit the GEO webpage at http://www.uiuc.edu/ph/www/taunion