UPI at GSU

04/30/2024

We need your action!
Over the last few months, UPI Chapter Presidents and leadership have testified before the various state legislative appropriation committees to call for a 10-12% increase in state appropriations for public higher education institutions and a $50 million increase in student MAP grants. Now we are asking you to actively support this effort by sending a message to your legislators.

In February, Governor Pritzker released his state budget proposal in which he called for only a 2% increase in higher education appropriations and a $10 million increase in MAP funds. With inflation at over 4%, the Governor’s proposal would effectively be a cut in the higher education budget. Our students and institutions, after years of underfunding and cuts, need additional funding to avoid further increases in tuition/fees and/or cuts in services.

To help us secure additional funds, we need you to contact your state representative and senator today. Use this link https://actionnetwork.org/.../university-professionals-of... to request that your legislators support our higher education funding increase. Simply input your address and you will be taken to a pre-written message (that you can edit) which will then be sent to your representative and senator. They need to hear from you about why the state needs to fund our students and institutions today.

If you are available and interested, please contact your UPI Chapter President to join our in person lobbying efforts on May 15th. We will be in Springfield to talk directly with legislators to urge them to fund our universities and students.

In the meantime, feel free to share the link to encourage others to join in this campaign. When you contact your legislators, your message is considered, logged, and counted. Our campaign to increase higher education funding needs your participation to be effective.

University Professionals of Illinois Local 4100 needs your help lobbying Illinois legislators to support a 10-12% increase in state budget appropriations for our public universities and colleges and an increase of $50 million for student MAP grants. Please contact your local legislators by entering....

10/05/2023

I know everyone’s busy and finding a day that works is like herding cats, but please try and stop over. Smokey joes is 10 minutes from campus, and it is nice being in each others company and taking time to check on one another. Our strike did more than just show our resolve, it brought us together in a much different way. Come celebrate that as well!

05/05/2023

The words say, "in the interest of ensuring that student learning objectives are met," but the actual plan and roll out, especially waiting to release the plan until the very end of the semester, communicates different intentions.

05/01/2023

Members, check your email for a message from our President, Mike Hart, about various aspects of our return to work.

Please know that UPI leadership has strongly advocated for members and all workers at GSU. Unfortunately, the Administration has regularly ignored both standard proposals that would have rebuilt some trust and simple requests that would have informed and prepared each of you.
We regret that they made these choices. We invite them to end the adversarial posture and begin a new chapter of respect and cooperation that aligns with our values and mission.

Keep an eye open for another email about UPI hardship funds and loans. We will continue to lookout for one another.
May Day is a Union Day!

05/01/2023

Haymarket Square in Chicago was the site of a peaceful protest that turned into a violent confrontation on May 4, 1886, between the police and workers involv...

04/29/2023

04/28/2023

When you have taken a courageous stand for your genuine needs:

Be proud of yourself.
Remember who stood with you.
Remember who punished you.

04/28/2023

GSU UPI Members - Please check your personal email for important information about our paychecks.

04/27/2023

The contract has been ratified, just now in the process of crossing t’s and dotting i’s, so i finally get a moment to enjoy spring on our campus. We are fotunate to work at a place surrounded by so much natural beauty.

04/27/2023

UPI at GSU members ratified their new contract last night, with 97% voting to accept the agreement. Congrats to our GSU chapter for fighting for a fair contract, better working conditions, and more student support! ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻