OSU community,
2018 is a bargaining year for CGE, which means that our contract is up for negotiations. Included in this is our pay, our minimum FTE appointment, our healthcare, childcare and housing, and other contract stipulations that have been gained over the years. In 1998, graduate employees were expected to find healthcare on their own and were not guaranteed tuition remission or a workload tied to FTE. Your involvement is essential to our continued success. We cannot afford to see our benefits and contract gains diminish.
Our most recent success for OSU graduate employees are improvements in healthcare as we approach leading the nation in progressive, comprehensive coverage for graduate employees who are transgender. We have been encouraged by indications of progress from OSU and PacificSource regarding insurance coverage for graduate employees seeking treatment for gender dysphoria.
The outpouring of support that we received from union members was incredible. Member after member from diverse backgrounds expressed support for this initiative and wanted to help in any way they could. These positive changes are just one example of what happens when graduate employees join together in our union to make this a great place to work.
While this has resulted in improved experiences for our members the past few months, we hope for continued improvement in the language of our policy – including explicit details, a step-by-step process, and/or contact information for incoming employees so that they can access care easily. Currently, the policy states that “[t]he treatment plan must conform to the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) formerly Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria standards of care”. Our hope is that, rather than ensuring that any treatment requested must conform to WPATH standards, PacificSource will at minimum guarantee coverage for any treatment detailed in these standards, including the December 2016 Statement on Medical Necessity.
We need your help to continue identifying ways we can help our members by creating real lasting change for the better. This year our platform is

R – Real compensation
I – International Student Support
S – Safe and Inclusive Workplace and Community
E – Equitable Health and Child Care

We can only do this together, for we are stronger together than any of us alone. Members who are interested in helping us bargain this year should join our bargaining team! Email vp.bargaining@cge6069.org or reply to this email for more information on how you can help out.
Thank you all.
Solidarity forever.

CGE