My name is Nadia Suryawinata, a graduate student worker in BBE. I am proud to announce that now that we have ratified our first contract, we officially have won our union! Since contract ratification there are exciting new updates; both on interim union leadership as well as the path forward for contract implementation.
What comes next?
Our union of over 2000 graduate student workers and postdocs at Caltech, formerly CGPU, will officially be chartered as the UAW’s newest local – likely, as UAW Local 2478. Why? 2478 is the alphanumeric telephone number for “CGPU.”
Under the UAW constitution, executive board elections, open to all union members, must take place in May. Before elections can be held, Postdocs and GSWs need to democratically decide on bylaws, which will determine the structure of union leadership, organizing, and governance. Soon, we will be able to sign up as members to participate in elections and democratic decision-making within our union. Look out for membership cards in the coming weeks and in the meantime read up on your contract!
Why interim leadership?
In order to begin the process of establishing a local in the UAW, a union must have elected workers appointed to five positions: President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary, and Treasurer. Last week, our elected bargaining team decided on five bargaining team members to stay on as interim leadership, who will coordinate until executive board elections take place in May. This interim leadership includes Patrick Meyers as VP, Emma Lenz as Recording Secretary, Korbi Thalhammer as Financial Secretary, Mike Mckeon as Treasurer, and myself as President. In the interim, the main tasks will be to ensure democratic processes to establish bylaws, to coordinate a membership drive such that Postdocs and GSWs who sign up as members can participate in the ensuing votes, and to execute other necessary administrative duties like setting up a bank account.
How can I help enforce my contract?
As a unionized campus, GSWs and Postdocs are now protected and covered by our union contract, but only insofar as we organize to enforce it. Our contract will be strongest when we share the responsibility of identifying contract violations, building up membership to pool resources, and working with elected legislators to protect science funding and resist Trump-era immigration reform. There is no better time to set up a meeting with a colleague and get involved!
As always, questions, comments, concerns, and now contract violations can be directed to leaders in your building or can be sent to organize@cgpu.org.
In solidarity,
Nadia Suryawinata
Interim President, UAW Local 2478