Tampa, FL – On Friday, April 25, collective bargaining began between designated representatives on behalf of the University of South Florida (USF) Board of Trustees and representatives of Graduate Assistants United (GAU). About 20 supporters were present in the audience, including members of GAU, United Faculty of Florida, and Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society.

The session focused on the first three articles of the 2022-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement, which consists of 24 articles. Most discussion was centered around Article 2, where GAU had proposed protections for graduate assistants, specifically regarding appointments, terminations, progressive discipline and ensuring timely submission of paperwork. This proposal arises from past issues where graduate assistants were terminated without explanation and faced delays in payment due to paperwork not being submitted on time.

GAU is the exclusive bargaining agent for graduate assistants, providing benefits and protections to graduate assistants through a contract negotiated publicly by GAU and the USF Board of Trustees. In the past, USF GAU has earned safeguards and guarantees such as minimum stipend increases, cost-of-living raises, subsidized healthcare and grievance protections for its members.

Tessa Barber, USF GAU president and member of the GAU bargaining team said that bargaining, “gives us a level playing field to improve our working conditions, to try and improve our stipends, and make a fair and livable wage. It means that we don't have to just take what's given, that we can fight and we can earn something better.”

Barber continued, “Especially in times that are so volatile, as things are now, like in the political and legislative climate, bargaining means that we can do our best to protect those that come after us, even if the laws change and the conditions change, because the contract still stands.”

GAU hopes to improve the living and working conditions of graduate assistants, and gain more tangible protections for graduate assistants, especially those of vulnerable communities, such as the LGBTQ and international students. They also demand an increase in stipend and protections around free speech from the university.

The next bargaining session will be on May 16 at 1 p.m., where representatives of the USF Board of Trustees will be countering some of the proposals made by GAU.

#TampaFL #FL #Labor #GAU #USF #Contract #SDS

Chicago, IL – The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) announced on Monday, April 14, that its members have approved of a new contract by an overwhelming 97% majority. This four-year contract with Chicago Public Schools is the first in 15 years that the CTU has achieved without a strike or a strike vote.

The deal will go to the board of education for final approval later this month. Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez plans to recommend that the board approve, saying in a statement on Friday, April 18 that the agreement is financially responsible, despite the “challenging financial times.” This is an imminent conclusion to nearly a year of bargaining, often marked by contention between CTU leadership and Martinez, particularly on the issue of funding.

85% of CTU’s nearly 30,000 members participated in this vote. CTU President Stacey Davis Gates attributed this to the union’s strong democracy. “People got an opportunity to touch it, feel it, see it,” Davis Gates said about the agreement at a CTU conference on Monday. She pointed out that 65 engaged, rank-and-file members made up the bargaining team.

Bob Reiter, president of the Chicago Federation of Labor, echoed these sentiments saying, “The 85% is as impressive as the 97%. To get that percentage of turnout in a unit that size means their union democracy is incredible.”

The contract includes over 100 wins for the union, many of which will directly impact the education of the students. Some wins include reduced class sizes, increased planning time for elementary school teachers, and increased investment in athletics programs. Furthermore, Chicago Public Schools will add hundreds of new positions, including new counselors, librarians and teacher assistants. The contract also includes annual cost of living adjustments of 4 to 5%, depending on inflation.

“Cost of living is going up, and I’m a fan of paying rent,” said one high school teacher. Veteran teachers won additional increases, lessening the incentive for the most experienced teachers to leave for higher-paying districts in the suburbs.

“This contract was ratified so overwhelmingly because it has something for everyone,” said Kobi Guillory, a community activist and CTU member. “As a middle school teacher, I get additional prep time to plan high quality instruction for my students, and my students get a more joyful school experience.”

#ChicagoIL #IL #Labor #Contract #Teachers #CTU #Feature