On Tuesday, July 14th, a sea of CGE shirts, buttons and spirit gathered outside the Kerr Administration Building. We hung up a banner and milled around a bit, catching stragglers and the curious, before heading up the 5 flights of stairs to the nerve center of the OSU administration – the sixth floor.
Over 30 members of CGE crowded into the waiting area to deliver a message to Sabah Randhawa, the Provost and Executive Vice President for the University. Of course we just missed him, but we were assured that what we had to say would make it to his ears, and that message was this: Release the OSU bargaining team to bargain. A simple request for effective negotiations, yet this is proving very difficult to achieve.
For months the bargaining between the administration and graduate employees seems to have been stuck in neutral, a lot of noise and very little movement. And when it comes to the really big items, like fees, insurance and fair share, it appears that the administration’s bargaining team can’t actually negotiate over these items at the table without clearing it at the top. But the rub is that these are the items over which we must be the most efficient and cooperative, since they will determine the quality of life for graduate employees at OSU years to come and the time we have to get a contract is running out.
So hopefully our message to Sabah, to allow the administration’s team to make decisions on their own and to really engage with CGE in bargaining, will have been heard. And maybe, just maybe, this puppy will slip into first and start going somewhere.
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First I would like to also thank all the members who came out to observe our first round of negotiations. I was glad to know that I am not the only one interested in seeing the progress of negotiations in person.
As covered in an earlier post, this bargaining session was rather tame, some might even say a great time to get some grading done, but what did stand out to me is the fact that OSU management had nothing to propose - it was all “housekeeping”. But I understand that next time they are planning on proposing the deletion of the agreement proving the $250/term fee relief - wait how does that make sense?!? Well at least it will make for some interesting observing. And please do come observe, the next meeting will be March 5th from 3-5 in the MU. You may attend any portion or all of the session, as you are available. The only rule is that you may not be disruptive. Also if you have CGE gear, please do wear it.
Personally, I am attending these sessions for the following two reasons. First, I believe graduate employees have a right to a strong contract which represents our interests. Showing OSU management that this member is there to see that we form such a contract is important. CGE does not represent numbers or figures, it is its members. Second, I feel the best way to know that those you have elected to represent you, do represent you, is to see what is happening without the bullshit. By being an observer I send a clear message to both parties: I will know the facts, and if something is bogus I will be there to point it out.
If you were one of the observers from last week, please make a comment here on your thoughts or observations. And if you were unable to make it but have question, please also comment - I will make every effort to answer your question or find someone who can.
Melissa Hastings
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