Minutes
September 28, 2006
I. Open-source unionism (Ursula McTaggart)
We are changing our focus. Old model: traditional union model, i.e. affiliating with an established union, having a vote or card drive, formal recognition. Problems with old model: Indiana has bad labor laws--IU not required to recognize us even if we win a membership vote; established unions not excited about us because we're not a sure bet; CWA doesn't have a lot of resources to share with us.
New model: activist model ("open-source"). Instead of focusing on votes/cards/recruiting members, we will act like a union and focus on issues (like health care and dental). Ultimately, we would like to shift to formal union recognition, but for now we'll just make noise. Activist groups do get stuff done on campus.
Pros: union bureaucracy scares some people away; this won't be an issue since we won't be affiliated we could set our own nominal dues instead of the 1% of salary that international unions typically require.
Cons: No staff, no money; we have to do things ourselves. We need to demand a seat at the table by getting people on the street.
Our work needs to be much more participatory under this model if we're going to make it! Some things we need people to do in particular: tech support; someone to analyze the University's budget.
II. Health care (Sharyn Emery)
Recap of problems with plan voted on last spring: maximum benefit lowered, copays for prescriptions added, high cost for dependents. Want to put pressure on university to get benefits fully reinstated, dental plan added.
Letter campaign: we have printed up letters to Neil Theobald, asking people to sign--will send in batches of 10-15 or whatever. Electronic click-to-send version of this same letter is also in the works (in response to a question: yes, it has space for individual signers to add their own comments.)
Escalation plans:
- ongoing letter-writing campaign to IDS; goal is to have one letter per week (begun--taking volunteers to write future letters! We will make talking points available.)
- -phone calls
- rally
- culminating in some sort of larger action next semester--need to start preparing & seeing if members are willing to support this
III. Raising money (Sharyn)
We've set up a CafePress store at CAFE PRESS Items (t-shirts and more) can be ordered whenever they're wanted--we don't have to buy them up front and then sell them.
IV. Discussion
Emily Ford pointed out the GEO needs to broaden its approach to appeal to professional programs, e.g. SLIS; GAs there don't get health care, only partial tuition + $9/hour for the better jobs. There's a general lack of funding in SLIS, and no student government within the program.
Current & past steering committee members expressed interest in working on issues relevant to GAs, but need support from people in the relevant departments too--at least info: how many people are we talking about? ( i.e. how much would it cost for the university?)
One idea: incorporate call for health care into various stages of the escalation plan listed above--letters from SLIS folks? mention lack of health care for some grad employees at rally? (Getting health care for people who don't have it is a tougher fight than improving health care for those who do.)
V. Elections
One nomination from the floor: Emily Ford nominated herself for Tech Support Officer; members were invited to vote for her as a write-in candidate. Voting took place at the meeting and will continue in the library on Monday & Tuesday from 1-5 p.m.
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