After cancelling multiple bargaining sessions due to having no counters to our economic articles, which the Bargaining Committee proposed more than two months ago, the university finally returned to the table yesterday.

What they brought with them was beyond disappointing; it was insulting and a clear indication of what the university thinks of our needs. The five “counterproposals” tendered by the university’s bargaining team–recognition, housing, transportation, tuition and fees, and food security–represent a simple reflection of the status quo. These proposals offered not a single improvement to our conditions as they are. Conditions we know to be insufficient to support our needs and our work, and are exactly what we are working to improve. This tells us that the university thinks things are fine the way they are.

Our solidarity is now more important than ever. Last year, when UNH stalled bargaining and refused to offer counters on our non-economic proposals, we responded with sustained collective action – and it worked. We now have agreements on nearly all non-economic articles and have secured many key wins.

To win improvements to pay, healthcare, and other economic issues, we need to apply that same pressure again. On Tuesday, December 2nd, graduate workers will hold a “Work-in” at the MUB to show our strength and solidarity. We’ll gather in large numbers with union T-shirts and signs, working side by side to show UNH that we’re doing our jobs – even when they refuse to do theirs.

Please join your fellow graduate workers on December 2nd to help pressure UNH to take our economic needs seriously. RSVP Here: https://forms.gle/MxQ3DCsrP9DwqfUG8

In Solidarity,

The UNH GEU-UAW Bargaining Committee