TL;DR: Hundreds decided at yesterday’s Mass Membership Meeting to call on our bargaining team to hold a Strike Authorization Vote (SAV) online on December 4th and 5th to win a fair contract. Commit to voting yes!
Yesterday, grads and postdocs made history at Caltech. SIX HUNDRED of us gathered on Parsons-Gates Lawn in front of the administration building to send a clear message that we are willing to fight for a fair contract now. International scholars expressed their concerns over the upcoming Trump administration, peers voiced their solidarity with parents who have been provided insufficient financial support, and, during the open mic, G1s committed themselves to winning a strong contract because it will protect them for the majority of their time at Caltech. At the height of the meeting, GSWs and Postdocs raised their hands to collectively decide to set dates for a Strike Authorization Vote.
We are ready to pressure Caltech to FINALLY respond to our initial proposals on wages and healthcare so that we can move towards a ratification vote and reap the benefits of a strong first contract. Despite administration’s email yesterday, which was their first bargaining update since our last rally, Caltech GSWs and Postdocs know the status quo on wages, childcare, healthcare, and immigration do not meet the needs of many of us.
As your elected bargaining team members, we wrote a resolution that was overwhelmingly approved by the membership at last night’s meeting, calling for a Strike Authorization Vote (SAV). The SAV will take place online on December 4th and 5th. Each member of the bargaining unit will receive an email on the morning of December 4th with a link to vote. In the meantime, it is essential that thousands of GSWs and Postdocs commit to voting yes in the SAV because building a Caltech for everyone will take everyone standing up together.
Remember, an SAV is not a vote to go on strike. A “yes” vote in an SAV authorizes the bargaining team to call for a strike in the future if circumstances justify. This decision is undertaken democratically and, like a potential strike itself, requires mass participation. If you would like to learn more about what an SAV is, why we are calling for one, and how all of us proceed after the vote, check out this Strike Authorization Vote FAQ.
In solidarity,
Your CGPU Bargaining Team
To learn more about your contract fight and see all proposals made at the bargaining table, check out the C/GPU website.