Monday, February 26th-

My former teaching assistant (TA) for a physics class waved at me from the main quad, where he and dozens of other TAs were gathering to walk the picket lines. I immediately gave a happy squeal and slapped my best friend, who also had the same TA. "LOOK!! IT'S R.!!!"

R. is my favorite TA of all time. That's saying a lot, because I've liked almost all of my TAs. The majority of them are brilliant, hardworking graduate students who work closely with undergraduate students to help them master course material. Though in physics lecture, my eyes would be more glazed than a Krispy Kreme doughnut, it was in physics discussion that I finally was able to view problems with some clarity. R. helped me develop confidence in my problem-solving skills - something I'd never thought I'd be saying.

Which is why it makes me sad that the administration at the University of Illinois refuses to yield to the exceedingly reasonable demands put forth by the Graduate Employee Organization (GEO).

Particularly problematic are the low wages, coupled with the loss of guaranteed tuition waivers.The minimum salary for a graduate employee is $16,380.80- far less than the published cost of living for a graduate employee with Illinois residency and a tuition waiver, $22, 314 (OFSA). Without the tuition waiver, the base rate is $34, 802. That's ridiculous, in both cases. Considering that a doctorate degree typically takes 4-6 years to complete, and a master's degree takes 1.5-2 years to complete, that's a long time to be paying to work for the University.

comments from the GEO regarding the University's right to "modify" graduate tuition waiver designations.

Graduate employees also ask for better access to healthcare- the administration refuses to guarantee Affordable Care Act provisions in their contracts- which includes coverage for prescription drugs.

If you're looking to support the GEO like me, there are some easy ways to do this:

(1) Email the Provost demanding that they bargain with GEO and end the strike:

cangella@illinois.edu

You can even use this template letter.

(2) Join the picketing effort on the main quad and avoid crossing picket lines.

(3) Donate to the strike fund, which provides the resources for GEO to continue striking for as long as is necessary.

(4) Do your best to keep up with the material for classes canceled due to the strike- this will make it easier when the strike ends and classes have to move fast. Hopefully, this is sooner rather than later (I'm looking at you, university administration).

This fall, I plan on applying to graduate school. One should not have to make a decision whether or not to pursue graduate education based on the working conditions. Graduate school is stressful enough as it is, without added financial burden.

Thus, I support R. and other graduate employees going on strike.

P.S. R. is my role model!