On Dec. 17, the UMaine Graduate Workers Union (UMGWU) reached an agreement with the UMaine System (UMS) on a tentative first contract. This follows over 700 days of negotiations, rallies and strikes, and marks a huge step forward for graduate workers in terms of securing long fought-for protections.
The contract, which can be found in full here, outlines items such as increases in pay, more accessible housing and worker protections. Previously, graduate workers faced serious problems such as financial strain, food insecurity and difficulty securing reliable housing near campus.
Aurora Green, the new president of UMGWU, described the union members’ work toward a contract as “formidable” in an interview.
“This contract exists because hundreds of graduate workers showed up day in and day out to fight for what we deserve. The solidarity we have received from our membership and from community allies has been profound,” said Green.
When asked about the contract, Green said that while this is a tentative agreement and compromises had to be made, UMGWU is “proud of where [they] landed.”
“This contract gives us a strong foundation to build on, establishes clear rights for graduate workers and creates enforceable mechanisms we did not previously have. This contract expires in three years,” said Green. “Future bargaining cycles will allow us to continue strengthening and expanding these protections and for the first time in University of Maine system history, graduate workers have a seat at the decision making table that impacts our lives,” added Green.
She added that graduate worker pay is still not enough to cover the cost of living in the Orono area, but that the raises of $3,500-$5,000 that were outlined in the contract represent a great start.
The new contract also provides protections for international graduate workers, who were previously at the mercy of their employers. On this front, the contract states that, “The Employer will not voluntarily provide any immigration or personal information about a graduate worker to outside agents, except as authorized by the graduate worker or required by law. ‘Outside agents’ includes, but is not limited to, federal agents and those expressly operating under the authority of such agents.”
Green highlighted that “strong language protecting international graduate workers, as well as clear protections against harassment and bullying” were necessary for the ratification of the contract.
Now that UMS has signed the contract, UMGWU can officially begin implementing their next steps, such as working to ensure that all graduate workers are treated fairly within the workplace.
“The University of Maine System has signed our contract, and it is now in effect. We are prepared to begin filing grievances for graduate workers in our unit who are experiencing workplace issues that violate the terms of our contract. The university is behind on implementing aspects of our contract that we agreed upon with them. We are fighting to hold them to their word,” said Green.
Moving forward, UMGWU will hold organizing and membership meetings where graduate workers will be able to learn about and vote on important issues. More information can be found on the UMGWU website.
Chloe DaSilva, a third year MFA student studying intermedia, has been a member of UMGWU since starting graduate school.
“I think the new contract is a big step for graduate workers. It provides more clarity, sets a minimum pay scale and outlines benefits and protections,” said DaSilva. “In addition to the extra monetary compensation, having a detailed breakdown of benefits and protections gives me a sense of recognition,” said DaSilva.
DaSilva currently works as a graduate assistant in the School of Performing Art’s Costume Shop and was a teaching assistant for two years before that. When asked if she would change anything about the language in the contract, she stated that she was happy with the agreement that was reached and is “grateful for the work the union has done.”
Green closed with a reflection on the process of earning a contract and what the future holds for UMGWU as an organization.
“This moment represents more than a contract. It represents what graduate workers can achieve when we organize collectively and refuse to accept the status quo. Our work does not stop here, but this agreement proves that solidarity works and that graduate workers at the University of Maine deserve respect, protections and a real voice in our working conditions.”
