04/15/2025
Graduate workers, undergraduates, faculty, staff, elected officials, and community allies joined us today for our informational picket. Graduate workers are ready to strike in six days on Monday, April 21st unless the UR administration agrees to give us a fair process to form a union. We had a deal in December, but after months of delays they betrayed their word and abruptly backed out.
We heard from grads, faculty, union leaders, and elected officials. One international graduate worker, too afraid to speak directly due to Trump's attacks, had their statement read aloud by Mary Lupien for Mayor. This grad charged that the University of Rochester under the leadership of President Mangelsdorf and Provost Sampson are not doing enough to protect their international workers and students. A graduate union would enable all grads to have more protections, especially international grads.
We have made repeated attempts to reach out to the administration yet they still refuse to even meet with us. If this continues we will strike on Monday until a deal is reached.
