Stand in Solidarity with the Graduate Employees' Organization

On November 2, 2009, the Christian Social Action Ministry pledged solidarity with the Graduate Employees' Organization.

The United Methodist Church has historic roots in support of the working class and has taken a strong stand in favor of workers through its social principles.

With respect to unions, the United Methodist Church supports "the right of public and private (including farm, government, institutional, and domestic) employees and employers to organize for collective bargaining into unions and other groups of their own choosing. Further, we support the right of both parties to protection in so doing and their responsibility to bargain in good faith within the framework of the public interest. In order that the rights of all members of the society may be maintained and promoted, we support innovative bargaining procedures that include representatives of the public interest in negotiation and settlement of labor-management contracts, including some that may lead to forms of judicial resolution of issues. We reject the use of violence by either party during collective bargaining or any labor/management disagreement. We likewise reject the permanent replacement of a worker who engages in a lawful strike."

With respect to the rights of workers, the United Methodist Church believes, "Every person has the right to a job at a living wage. ... We support social measures that ensure the physical and mental safety of workers, that provide for the equitable division of products and services, and that encourage an increasing freedom in the way individuals may use their leisure time."

In recognition and affirmation of the United Methodist Church's support for workers' rights, the Christian Social Action Ministry of Wesley United Methodist Church stands in solidarity with the Graduate Employees' Organization.

THE GRADUATE EMPLOYEES’ ORGANIZATION
ALLIED GROUPS STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY

The Wesley United Methodist Church Christian Social Action Ministry stands in solidarity with members of the Graduate Employees' Organization (GEO), AFT/IFT, Local 6300 in their efforts to secure a fair contract through negotiation with the University of Illinois administration. We believe that all campus workers deserve a Living Wage and, therefore, support the GEO's request that the minimum stipend be raised from $13,430 to $16,086. We also believe that one responsibility of the public higher education system is to ensure accessibility to all. We therefore support the GEO's request for tuition waivers to be guaranteed as a condition of employment. Accordingly, we urge the University’s Administration and the Board of Trustees to bargain in good faith and in the best interests of graduate employees and the University as a whole.

Organization: Wesley UMC Christian Social Action Ministry
Date: Monday, November 2, 2009

This Thursday from noon to 1:00pm, you have the opportunity to join CSAM in standing in solidarity with the GEO, which recently authorized to strike. Graduate students, undergraduates, faculty, campus workers, and community members are invited to join in a rally of solidarity with the Graduate Employees' Organization. Everyone will meet at the Quad side of the Illini Union, march to Swanlund Administration Bldg.