EDITORIAL: As an undergraduate student, it is disheartening to see that the University of Maine’s Graduate Workers Union (UMGWU) has to fight for a fair contract. Fair compensation and better working conditions should be a given, not a topic of debate. These graduate workers and their contributions are essential to the success of our institution, yet they are not receiving the respect and benefits they deserve.
“We are a vital part of this university as well as the greater Maine community, and it is important that we are adequately compensated for the work that we do,” said Alexis Merk, a Graduate Research Assistant and PhD student in UMaine’s Marine Science Department.
Negotiations with the University of Maine System (UMS) have been ongoing since Dec. 20 2023, but progress has been slow, if any.
Most recently, other labor union members from around the state stood in solidarity with the UMGWU, rallying outside the Raymond H. Fogler Library to demand a fair contract agreement with the UMS.
“There were about 200 of us there on the steps of the Fogler Library. Being able to see all of these different unions and labor allies of ours in Maine come together and have everyone show their support was really cool,” said Merk.
After watching the rally on the news and seeing people’s reactions on social media, I was left feeling frustrated, particularly for the international graduate workers who continue their research at the university amidst the culture of fear surrounding them.
It is essential that international graduate workers have the ability to participate in rallies and public events without the fear of jeopardizing their legal status. This prolonged bargaining process has a significantly greater impact on them compared to other graduate workers, so they should not be excluded from these important conversations and opportunities.
Nevertheless, I applaud the UMGWU for advocating for this vulnerable group when they may not have the opportunity to do so themselves. Currently, the UMGWU has reached an agreement with the UMS to include language in their contracts that provide protection for graduate workers in this vulnerable position. They are also working on protecting the programs that are already in place such as the Office of International Programs (OIP).
“We held a protest during the State of the University Address, and 20 to 30 people showed up with signs to protect OIP. This protest was not only to show UMaine’s President why we care about OIP, but to also showcase to people who care about the university and this community,” said Merk.
Despite negotiations lasting for more than 650 days, UMGWU remains committed to advocating for all of its workers and their resources, striving for improvements like increased wages, improved healthcare and effective mechanisms for addressing graduate worker grievances.
Their roles as Research Assistants, Teaching Assistants and Graduate Assistants not only contribute to the success of the UMS and the state of Maine, but also have a global impact. Despite their diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise, their commitment to teaching and research affects us all, and it is time for that to be reflected in their contracts.
