Because UMD refuses to recognize grads as employees, our labor rights are constantly violated and UMD is never held accountable. We change that by winning our union!

In addition, a significant number of grads had their contracts changed w/o prior notification - in some cases people are working 40hrs but only getting paid slightly above the 20hr rate. Grads are afraid to speak up about this because we lack protections against unjust firing

Many grads live paycheck to paycheck. Missing pay means we miss rent and can't afford food. UMD knows this via their own survey and there is still no urgency to fix THEIR mistakes that are causing us financial stress. And the number of affected grads this summer is unprecedented

When we were finally able to find someone to speak to in the financial office, they told us they hadn't heard about grad pay issues, even though grads spoke to college-level admin over a week ago and were promised our concerns would be elevated

The cynicism is appalling, even for Columbia.

We call on our fellow workers in higher ed: sign the open letter to CU & pledge not to replace our labor. tinyurl.com/core-open-letter

Let's fight together for more just and democratic workplaces for all

It's time our academic institutions recognize these attempts to criminalize Chinese academics are part of the larger assault on immigrants, academic freedom, and civil liberties and speak up to protect their workers! [4/4]