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GAU Ratify's One year contract extension
GAU Grievance Chair Vanessa Armstrong at the voting table during the Ratification Meeting.
December 9, 2010: Graduate Assistants voted to approve a 1-year extension to the current contract with a couple of improvements. GA's will receive a fee reduction of $164.00 for this year to off-set the increase by the University. They will also see an increase in access to several parking lots across campus. The Negotiating Team will be back at work in the Spring and Summer looking for more improvements and a longer duration for the contract.
OKTOBERFEST - Great Success!
October 28, 2010: Over 60 graduate assistants attended the event last Thursday evening and enjoyed a wonderful German style meal of bratwurst and sauerkraut along with beer. President Stephen Marchand welcomed the group and encouraged them to get involved in the the GAU by becoming members of the association. He also gave a brief history of the union, which began organizing in 2001 when a group of graduate students became frustrated with the usual answers by the administration to an increase in stipend and benefits. The organizers decided to approach the AAUP on campus for assistance.
Secretary Shira Hirshberg announced a membership development drive that will include a "logo contest" with a $50.00 gift certificate to Crazy Burger to the winner. Stay tuned for more details.
President’s Message
Stephen Marchand
On behalf of the Graduate Assistants United (GAU), congratulations on your acceptance to the Graduate School and the assistantship you have been offered.
The GAU is your organization – the organization that represents the interests of all graduate assistants (560 assistants) at the University of Rhode island. Since voting for recognition in 2002, the GAU has been responsible for securing an employment contract with the Board of Governors for Higher Education that includes salary increases, tuition waivers, paid health insurance, a 20% discount in mandatory fees, and other important employment benefits. A negotiating committee, which is comprised of graduate assistants, has been negotiating an extension of the current contract in this past summer.
As a graduate assistant, you are automatically represented for collective bargaining by the GAU. All graduate assistants are required to pay an agency fee of .81% of your salary, which will be deducted from your paycheck on a biweekly basis.
Although you are represented by the GAU, you are not automatically a member. Membership in the GAU/AAUP requires that you sign a membership card. Being a registered GAU member enables you to hold executive committee positions, vote on GAU issues, such as ratification the contracts, and allows you the opportunity to apply for GAU funded research and travel grants. There is no additional fee for signing a card!
Finally, participation in the association is very important. Attendance at meetings and events demonstrates the strength of our group. Please consider serving your academic department as a GAU steward. As steward, you will serve as a liaison between the GAU and assistants in your department. It’s a great way to become involved with the GAU. Please contact the GAU with questions or if you’re interested in becoming a steward, and visit the website or Facebook page regularly for upcoming events.
April 27, 2010
General Membership Meeting's Guest Speaker Dan Bass from Ocean State Action
On Tuesday, April 27, 2010, the GAU held their annual Spring General Membership Meeting/Election at the University Club. Members participated in electing the 2010-11 GAU Executive Committee, listened to guest speaker Dan Bass form Ocean State Action and enjoyed a wonderfully prepared meal. Dan spoke on how his organization was able to effect change in the General Assembly by helping elect progressive candidates get elected who now submit legislation that assists the working people of our state. He also encouraged attendees to become active in campaigns that interest them and passed around a sign-up sheet for those who would like to join in OSA campaigns.
Congratulations to the newly elected GAU Officers:
President - Stephen Marchand, English
Vice President - Courtney Schmidt, GSO
Treasurer, Jack Szczepanski, Biology
Secretary - Timothy Amidon, Writing and Rhetoric
Don’t Mourn, Organize
For the past fifteen years, the state of Rhode Island has contracted with the University of Rhode Island to fund approximately ten graduate assistants in the physical therapy department in exchange for each providing ten hours a week of physical therapy to patients at Eleanor Slater Hospital, which houses patients with acute and long-term medical illness, as well as those with psychiatric disorders. But that funding was eliminated in the last round of state budget cuts. Those students are without funding and the patients are without physical therapy.
—Report of a union activist at the University of Rhode Island
By Cary Nelson
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Board of Governors Meeting:
Monday, January 24, 2010
RIC Ballroom
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President's Column
President Stephen Marchand
MEETINGS
General Membership Meeting -
Spring General membership Meeting - TBA in April