Rebecca Givan
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rkgwork.bsky.social
Rebecca Givan
@rkgwork.bsky.social
3.4K followers 740 following 26 posts
Work. Labor. Unions. Healthcare.
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Reposted by Rebecca Givan
aclu.org
This is a win for public health that allows for research on issues like HIV prevention and Alzheimer’s disease to continue.
aclu.org ACLU @aclu.org · 22h
BREAKING: The National Institutes of Health has agreed to evaluate grant applications that were wrongfully frozen due to the Trump administration’s ideological purge of biomedical research.
December 29, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Reposted by Rebecca Givan
donmoyn.bsky.social
The Times only quotes current students & faculty on the record, who are not so critical. Which sort of makes sense if selected into campus or don't want to be fired.
Nothing from former faculty/students or off-the-record. A recent Inside Higher Ed piece quoted current faculty with a different view:
What about interviewing some faculty off the record to gain a franker view? For example, the Inside Higher Ed reporter Josh Moody did just this, and found more critical perspectives among current faculty, including one who said. It’s kind of like a Ponzi scheme: Students keep leaving, so they have to recruit bigger and bigger cohorts of students, and then they say, ‘Biggest class ever’ because they have to backfill all the students who have left.
December 28, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Reposted by Rebecca Givan
donmoyn.bsky.social
The reporter, Anemona Hartocollis, argues that things are not so bad. Students are studying the Odyssey! She uncritically shares the views of the college President about the need for campus debate. This is yadayadayadaing an ideological purge. Here are things that are not mentioned:
After New College closed it’s Gender and Diversity Center it removed books from its library, and sent them to a landfill. Presumably, this was cheaper than burning them. At the same time the College was seeking new money to fight cancel culture it was firing people for their political views. For example, the free speech organization Fire reports that “New College of Florida trustee Christopher Rufo bragged about violating the First Amendment, tweeting that the college would not renew visiting history professor Erik Wallenberg’s contract, citing his “left-wing” teaching, views, and past criticism of university leadership.”
December 28, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Reposted by Rebecca Givan
ellyzoe.bsky.social
It’s not “losing money” any more than air traffic controllers or public highways or street lights or fire departments are “losing money.” It is a government service. It’s not SUPPOSED to make money. It’s supposed to reliably deliver to anywhere in the US, even the unprofitable places.
cnn.com CNN @cnn.com · 6d
The USPS faces a tight squeeze. With fewer people using the mail, it’s lost more and more money: $9 billion in the 12 months ending in September alone.
https://cnn.it/4qkeNoF
December 24, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Reposted by Rebecca Givan
awgaffney.bsky.social
When we look at rates of underinsurance and similar metrics of medical cost-burdens over just one year, we fail to see that the problem affects far more Americans over time. You may not be cost-burdened by care costs today, but you could be tomorrow.

jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Burdensome Health Care Spending Over Time in the US
This cohort study assesses burdensome out-of-pocket health care costs over a 4-year period among individuals in the US.
jamanetwork.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:55 PM
rkgwork.bsky.social
UNC System rule requires instructors post all syllabi publicly ONE WEEK before the course starts. Have they met faculty?

www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
UNC System Issues Policy Making Syllabi Public
The regulation, which includes some changes from a previous draft, takes effect on January 15.
www.theassemblync.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Reposted by Rebecca Givan
melodyschreiber.com
The Trump admin announced today that it would no longer fund health systems that accept Medicaid/Medicare and offer gender-affirming care.

That will affect everyone receiving the care -- not just people *on* Medicaid/Medicare. Hospitals will likely choose Medicaid/Medicare over trans patients.
December 18, 2025 at 5:09 PM
rkgwork.bsky.social
"Starbucks has a policy of 150 percent availability. If an employee wants to work 30 hours, that person must be available for 45. In the end, they may only end up working 17."
www.grubstreet.com/article/mich...
She’s Still Fighting Starbucks Four Years Later
Baristas are on strike. Michelle Eisen isn’t going back to coffee or theater until they get a contract.
www.grubstreet.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Reposted by Rebecca Givan
uaw.org
After over 761 days of bargaining for a first contract, the UMaine Grad Workers Union has reached a tentative agreement with UMS! ✊🦞 @uawregion9a.bsky.social

Members can join a town hall meeting to learn more & ask questions before this week’s ratification vote. ⤵️
UMaine Graduate Workers Union - UAW graphic: "After 761 days in negotiations... the UMGWU-UAW bargaining committee has come to a tentative agreement with the University of Maine System! This tentative agreement includes major wins that will improve our rights and protections at work and substantially increase our compensation and benefits package." UMaine Graduate Workers Union - UAW graphic: "What's next? Stay tuned for more info on the ratification vote process that will take place this week. For the contract to take effect, it needs to be ratified in a majority vote. "We will also be hosting two Town Halls this week, so GW's can join and learn about our tentative agreement: Monday December 15 @ 5 PM on Zoom, Tuesday December 16 @ NOON on Zoom. "We are so beyond proud of all the hard work, dedication, and extraordinary organizing that went into every step of this process, from forming our union in 2023, to fighting for our first contract for over two years. We would not be here without YOU! Solidarity forever!"
December 15, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Reposted by Rebecca Givan
chadstanton.blacksky.app
“At Texas A&M, internal emails show staff are using AI software to search syllabi and course descriptions for words that could raise concerns under new system policies restricting how faculty teach about race and gender.”

www.texastribune.org/2025/12/15/t...
Texas universities deploy AI for course audits
Records obtained by The Texas Tribune show how universities are using the technology to reshape curriculum under political pressure, raising concerns about academic freedom.
www.texastribune.org
December 15, 2025 at 1:32 PM
rkgwork.bsky.social
“Thank God so many people showed up there,” Osman said. “(The agents) couldn't get out of there because people showed up with their cars and whistles.”

www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
Federal agents use chemical irritant on crowd in Somali neighborhood of Minneapolis amid Trump crackdown
Federal agents have used chemical irritant to disperse a crowd in a heavily Somali neighborhood in Minneapolis. This happened Tuesday during a identification checks amid the Trump administration's cra...
www.mprnews.org
December 14, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Reposted by Rebecca Givan
sbagen.bsky.social
This is a great piece on Trump's near-destruction of the National Labor Relations Board. (And I'm betting they don't let the Acting GC go on-the-record about anything after his performance here. Kudos to @msainato.bsky.social for a very effective interview.) www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘A very hostile climate for workers’: US labor movement struggles under Trump
National Labor Relations Board, the federal watchdog for workers’ rights, has been rendered toothless as employees grapple with corporations
www.theguardian.com
December 14, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Reposted by Rebecca Givan
newschoolaaup.bsky.social
Last week, the New School issued voluntary separation & early retirement offers to 40% of the full-time faculty & the majority of non-union staff. These cuts to the bone are an ideological attempt to decimate historic spaces of critical inquiry & social justice. Share our statement tr.ee/qQBIDCpIuj
OFFICIAL Statement from AAUP-TNS on Cuts to Faculty and Staff 12-9-25
The New School - Austerity Cuts to the Bone A Statement from the Leadership Council of AAUP-TNS On December 3, 2025, New School President Joel Towers and Provost Richard Kessler issued voluntary sep...
tr.ee
December 14, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Reposted by Rebecca Givan
charlottegarden.bsky.social
From the Oklahoma U student paper: the school is now saying it will automatically suspend faculty (with pay) in response to student complaints
www.oudaily.com/news/ou-poli...
“During the course of the debate, it was disclosed that it is now policy of the university to suspend any faculty member with pay against whom a student has lodged a complaint. The faculty member is suspended under the Title IX program,” Schmeltzer wrote. “This was new information to everyone in attendance.”
December 13, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Reposted by Rebecca Givan
bakerdphd.bsky.social
I don't do procurement so this could be reasonable(?) but yowza
Screenshot of article which reads: The student newspaper said the Workday project was broken down into $81 million for financial and human resources services (HCM), $98.9 million for the student application called Sunrise, and $56.5 million for planning, data integration, and financial aid. Meanwhile $23.8 million in the 2026 financial year is for support and $5.7 million for annual licensing.
December 12, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Reposted by Rebecca Givan
propublica.org
NEW: Trump’s DOJ Pressured Lawyers to “Find” Evidence That UCLA Had Illegally Tolerated Antisemitism

An investigation by ProPublica and @chronicle.com reveals how the U.S. government ignored due process to gin up its attack on the University of California.
Trump’s DOJ Pressured Lawyers to “Find” Evidence that UCLA Had Illegally Tolerated Antisemitism
An investigation by ProPublica and The Chronicle of Higher Education reveals how the U.S. government ignored due process to gin up its attack on the University of California.
www.propublica.org
December 12, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Reposted by Rebecca Givan
robertscotthorton.bsky.social
25 years ago today, SCOTUS elected George W Bush president of the United States by blocking completion of a voting canvass in Florida. A subsequent canvass by the Associated Press showed that Bush's rival, Al Gore, had won the race in Florida—and thus the contest for the presidency—by 700 votes.
December 12, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Reposted by Rebecca Givan
ericmgarcia.bsky.social
Democrats who voted against the NDAA, which bans trans athletes in women's sports at US military academies.
-Bennet
-Booker
-Cantwell
-Duckworth
-Kim
-Markey
-Merkley
-Murphy
-Murray
-Padilla
-Sanders
-Schatz
-Schiff
-Smith
-Van Hollen
-Warren
-Welch
-Wyden www.senate.gov/legislative/...
U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 119th Congress - 1st Session
www.senate.gov
December 12, 2025 at 12:06 AM
rkgwork.bsky.social
“I considered transferring out of U.T. because if my professors are unable to teach me, and I’m not able to have candid conversations to get a proper education, what am I here for?”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/u...
The Conservative Overhaul of the University of Texas Is Underway
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:52 AM
rkgwork.bsky.social
"Intensified enforcement reduces the number of foreign-born child care workers...We also find that heightened immigration enforcement reduces the employment of mothers with preschool-aged children, especially highly educated and white mothers."
www.newamerica.org/better-life-...
The Impact of Increased ICE Activity on the Child Care Workforce and Mothers’ Employment
The surge in ICE arrests erodes the child care workforce and pulls mothers of young children out of the labor market.
www.newamerica.org
December 11, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Reposted by Rebecca Givan
rcobooth.bsky.social
Chris Herbst and @erdaltekin.bsky.social find the increase in ICE arrests since Trump took office to be associated with 39,000 fewer foreign-born child care workers and 77,000 fewer U.S.-born working mothers (as of July)

www.newamerica.org/better-life-...
The Impact of Increased ICE Activity on the Child Care Workforce and Mothers’ Employment
The surge in ICE arrests erodes the child care workforce and pulls mothers of young children out of the labor market.
www.newamerica.org
December 11, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Reposted by Rebecca Givan
seiu.org
Congratulations to the 1,600 workers across Chicago Public Schools who have officially filed majority interest to join Local 73!

From classroom support to school operations, these workers are essential and now they’re organizing for the respect, wages, and protections they are owed.
December 11, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Reposted by Rebecca Givan
banditelli.org
Bernie's in, officially ending the 2020 primary.
NEW YORK - Sen. Bernie Sanders (l-Vt.) on Wednesday issued the following statement endorsing Brad Lander for Conaress in New York's 10th District: "Brad Lander is a relentless fighter for working people. He's spent the past two decades taking on big corporations, winning better wages and fair working conditions for New Yorkers, including major victories for fast food workers, delivery workers, and tenants. During the recent mayoral election, he and Zohran Mamdani proved that when ordinary people stand united, we can take on the billionaire class, and we can defeat corporate-dominated politics. Brad Lander is a public servant who will bring a much- needed voice to Congress. He will deliver for the people of New York and all working class Americans. I am proud to endorse him."
December 10, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Reposted by Rebecca Givan
rbreich.bsky.social
New research found that Instacart is charging shoppers different prices — despite ordering the same items from the same store at the same time.

The price differences could amount to an extra $1,200 a year for the average household of four.

Corporate greed is out of control.
Instacart’s AI-Enabled Pricing Experiments May Be Inflating Your Grocery Bill, CR and Groundwork Collaborative Investigation Finds - Consumer Reports
Exclusive: Instacart’s AI pricing may be inflating your grocery bill.
www.consumerreports.org
December 9, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Reposted by Rebecca Givan
nancysolomon2.bsky.social
from @mattfriedmannj.bsky.social on twitter: Democratic State Chairman LeRoy Jones says the gutting of NJ Comptroller is "overreach" and that he thinks it should be shelved." And I heard from one advocate who lobbies at the statehouse that she heard the bill is dead.
December 9, 2025 at 6:42 PM