As organized workers in higher education, we recognize that the recent election of Donald Trump poses a serious threat to our rights and working conditions. For those of us in this field, the stakes are particularly high; Trump’s agenda threatens not only our workplaces but also the future of public education, academic freedom, scientific research, and equitable treatment for all students and workers. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is not without fault, having opted to blame voters for its defeat rather than examining its own record and its failure to inspire workers who are struggling to get by. At this moment, it’s essential that all organized workers in higher education prepare to take action and continue the push for justice in our workplaces and classrooms.
During Trump’s first term, we saw examples of policies where severe anti-immigrant measures and cuts to education/STEM funding disrupted the lives and futures of students and workers. His administration actively tried to suppress unionization efforts for grad students and even attempted to roll back our right to organize in private universities. Despite these efforts, nearly 20,000 graduate student workers across the country successfully formed unions during Trump’s previous term, making historic strides in organizing and securing fair contracts in numerous institutions that laid the foundation for the mass movement we are part of today. This shows that, regardless of the political climate, we have the power to stand up for our rights and continue organizing to ensure safe and fair workplaces. No matter who holds office, our resolve to improve working conditions, defend international student workers, and stand against any form of discrimination must remain firm.
Given recent events, we find it crucial to reaffirm our commitment to the core values that have driven our unionization efforts since our campaign began over two years ago. To strengthen our collective voice, we recently elected our bargaining committee, and we are steadfast in our commitment to continue bargaining for a fair contract that reflects our needs and respects our labor. This committee represents our shared interests and dedication to achieving better pay, job security, and workplace protections. With your support and participation, our bargaining team will push forward, keeping our union’s goals front and center in every negotiation.
In solidarity,
Sanutha Shetty, Neuroscience
member of the SSW-UAW Organizing Committee