TL;DR: Sign up to become a member of our new Local Union! (Membership FAQ here) Fee remission: The union contract guarantees remission of all mandatory university fees, as well as the Student Health Insurance fee and the Dental Insurance fee.  Do not pay these fees,...

My name is Maggie, and I’m a PhD Candidate in the Sociology department. I’m writing with an update on interim union leadership and the path forward for contract implementation.  SETTING UP OUR LOCAL UNION: Now that Graduate Student Workers (GSWs) have ratified our...

My name is Maile, and I’m a PhD Candidate in the Civil Engineering department, also on the bargaining team. I’m reaching out to announce the results of the contract ratification vote. After three days of voting, Graduate Student Workers (GSWs) have voted 1,874 YES -...

My name is Edie Adams, and I’m a PhD Candidate in the Comparative Studies in Literature & Culture program. I’m reaching out to share some more details about what voting YES to ratify the Tentative Agreement means versus voting NO — and what factored into my...

One week ago, Graduate Student Workers (GSWs) reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) with USC administration on a first union contract. From tomorrow, December 4th, at 9am, to Wednesday, December 6th, at 6pm, GSWs will vote on whether or not to ratify the TA. Check out...

My name is Gilbert, and I’m a 3rd-year in the Chemistry Department. I’m reaching out to provide some additional details before the ratification vote coming up next Monday, which will decide whether or not Graduate Student Workers ratify the Tentative Agreement as our...

My name is Ray, and I’m a 4th year international GSW in the ECE department. I’m writing to tell you that, next Monday, December 4th, I’ll be voting in favor of ratifying the Tentative Agreement, in part because of the steps it makes toward securing dignity and justice...

My name is Anna, and I’m a PhD Candidate in the Marine and Environmental Biology Department, also on the bargaining team. I’m writing to encourage you to join other Graduate Student Workers in attending an “Our Contract” information session this week, to learn more...

My name is Anand, and I’m a PhD Candidate in the Computer Science department. I’m emailing you to share why I’ll be joining a majority of Graduate Student Workers (GSWs) voting “Yes” to ratify the Tentative Agreement as our first-ever union contract.  I’m excited to...

You likely received the email last night – and heard the news this morning – that the bargaining team has reached a Tentative Agreement on a first contract! USC administration came to the table at the last minute with major concessions to avert a strike. I’m emailing...