OSU GSA Update (June)
Upcoming Events, Walkthroughs, Resources, and More!
We hope everyone is having a restful start to the summer. Here are some updates from the GSA.
Union Updates
Over the last month, members of the GSA met with unions about affiliation. Representatives from American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the Communication Workers of America (CWA), and the United Auto Workers (UAW) met with us each individually, expressed interest in helping us organize at OSU. We are in the process of deciding with which union it would be best to affiliate. Are you interested in helping us decide? Reach out to any GSA member for more information, message us on Substack, or send an email to us at: osugradstudents@proton.me
Upcoming Events
OSUGSA Meeting with Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition (IGWC), June 12th, 3:00 PM
Join us on June 12 at 3:00 PM for a meeting with representatives from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition (affiliated with United Electrical Workers) to discuss their experience with building a union at Indiana University, Bloomington! The speakers will provide practical advice on how to best advocate for graduate student workers at Ohio State—please join us for a productive discussion on improving working conditions on our campus! More info on the IGWC here:
https://www.indianagradworkers.org/
The call will be through signal. Here is the link: https://signal.link/call/#key=kzsh-rnbt-pkzx-frdn-nxrn-szxm-zmzn-hxtq
OSUGSA General Meeting, June 20th, 3:00 PM (Agenda Below)
Join us the following week, June 20th at 3:00 PM for our general meeting. We will discuss the meeting with IGWC, make plans for social media and connecting with our membership, plan a social and other outreach events for the fall, work on our mission statement, and plan for our fall campaigns. Have ideas that you want on the agenda? Let us know!
The call will be through signal. Here is the link: https://signal.link/call/#key=bqqc-qpks-ghhc-bzhc-qggd-gfcs-bgnq-qhgb
Walkthrough Updates
Since late April, we have conducted walkthroughs in the following departments: Astronomy, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology (EEOB), Higher Ed Studies, Plant Pathology, and Classics. A “walkthrough” is our main form of organizing as a group. It involves bringing together GSA representatives with graduate workers in various departments so that we can learn about shared issues we face in the workplace and can come up with solutions to make the working environment better for everyone. During walkthroughs, we also strive to establish representatives (delegates) in each department. Are you interested in setting up a walkthrough with your department or do you have questions about the process? Let us know! Reach out to any GSA member for more information, message us on Substack, or send an email to us at: osugradstudents@proton.me
Resources for International Students
Below is a list of resources for international students in relation to the recent travel bans enacted by the Trump Administration. It contains helpful information for navigating TSA’s device search and other information regarding the rights of international students.
Please find the link to the list of resources in English, Dari, and Pashto hyperlinked here.
Resources for Workers’ Rights
The academic workers’ wing (American Federations of Teachers-Academics, or AFTA) of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has put together a list of important resources regarding our rights at academic workers in the United States, including at Ohio State. As an academic worker in the United States, you have certain rights, including the right to organize with coworkers. Find out more info here: https://aftacademics.org/know-your-rights/
Have any questions, comments, or future updates for the OSUGSA? Want to set up a walkthrough in your department? Are you interested in serving as a delegate for your department? Reach out!
Email: osugradstudents@proton.me