Support the OSU Graduate Employees Strike Fund

The Coalition of Graduate Employees (CGE) are ramping up for a potential strike and need your help.

CGE has been in contract negotiations with Oregon State University for over a year. Since August 2023, OSU has continually refused to negotiate in good faith to the extent that the bargaining team was forced to bring in an external mediator. While they would prefer to work with OSU to compromise on a contract that benefits both employee and employer, they must be prepared to strike if necessary.

As part of this effort they’ve launched a strike fund. This fund will make sure graduate employees can cover basic expenses in the event of a strike. 

They have also created a pledge to withhold donations and support to Oregon State University until graduate workers get a fair contract.

CGE is fighting for a fair contract that focuses on the safety, stability, and community of graduate students. Their goals include salary increases and increasing protections for international graduate employees. OSU took 9 months to respond to CGE’s first salary proposal! They are not interested in supporting their graduate employees, even when these employees teach an enormous amount of OSU's undergraduate classes, bring in millions of dollars of research grants and funding, and do much of the essential work that keeps OSU running. 

Here’s how you can support graduate workers at OSU:

• Donate to the Strike Fund. CGE is asking for donations to reach their goal of $50,000. Any amount of money is extremely helpful and appreciated! Donations can be made via our venmo (@CGE-OSU) - please include strike fund in the description.

If they do not go on strike, the funds will be retained in a permanent strike fund to be used for a future strike. We also accept cash and paper checks. 

• Sign this pledge to withhold support and donations to OSU until CGE has a fair contract.

To follow along on CGE’s bargaining journey you can check out our bargaining updates page of their website.