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Organizing Orientation on January 24

Calling ALL GSUers, new and old! Do you care about healthcare, gender equity, childcare, accessibility, labor relations, and graduate student life on the University of Chicago Campus? We do, and we believe graduate students can organize effectively to have a strong voice on campus and be a resource to our members and colleagues. Our success depends on your help and direction. We are hosting an Orientation to “Organizing an Academic Labor Union” for everyone interested in getting more involved.

This “Orientation” is designed to share concrete skills and generate new ideas on how to organize graduate student labor on campus: from organizing conversations, to weekly meetings, to finding and launching new projects and campaigns.

Agenda: Organizing an Academic Labor Union

Thursday, January 24, 6:00-8:00pm
At University Church Chicago, 5655 S University.

  • 6PM Dinner served & Introductions
  • 6:05PM UNION
    1. Presentation: FAQ on “unionization”
    2. Activity: What are the stakes of graduate students having a voice on campus, and how do talk about them with members?
    3. Report back & Discussion
  • 6:45PM ORGANIZING
    1. Presentation: GSU roles & responsibilities, projects & committees
    2. Activity: What are our strategies to build an active mass membership? How can we collectively sustain our energy over time?
    3. Report back & Discussion
  • 7:25PM ACADEMIC LABOR
    1. Presentation: Challenges & opportunities of organizing graduate labor
    2. Activity: Mapping who we can talk to & brainstorming organizing conversations
    3. Report back & Discussion
  • 7:50PM Evaluations & Adjourn
  • 8PM Pub Night @ Jimmy’s

Register here at Google Docs.

Vegan dinner will be served (with cheese on the side!).