On Wednesday, Sept. 10, over 100 University of New Mexico graduate workers, including United Graduate Workers of UNM union members, held a work-in from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., as part of a demonstration to present their bargaining priorities, including higher wages, protection for international workers and dental and vision benefits. Workers and students conducted their routine research and coursework in the hallway outside the office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs in Scholes Hall.
Some graduate workers held their class office hours seated on the hallway floor and went over assignments with undergraduate students who came to ask questions.
A group of UGW members also met with UNM Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Barbara Rodriguez to speak about their priorities.
Graduate worker and PhD student of biology, Abigail Granath told the Daily Lobo that the group did not leave the hallway nearest to the provost’s office until they were able to meet with Rodriguez.
“I talked to the Interim Provost Barbara Rodriguez this morning. She was very kind, very accommodating for us, which we really appreciated because we came in unannounced and with no sort of schedule or anything like that,” Granath said.
Will Bieker, a PhD student in biology at UNM, said the graduate workers have still not had any concessions from the University.
“There's times especially towards the end of semester, where we're being paid for 20 hours a week, but I know plenty of people that are working well over that, because that's what the class calls for, and they want to provide for the students, so there's a lot of self sacrifice and time that we aren't really compensated for,” Bieker said.
Granath said she and the other demonstrators wanted to make sure Rodriguez was up to date on the bargaining, and knew their four priorities, which are more compensation for graduate workers overall, vision, dental and dependent coverage and international worker protections, she said.
“We're trying to get protections for international workers, because right now, international workers are threatened and rightfully worried, so we're trying to get firm writing and confirmation from the University that they're going to stand up and protect international workers,” Bieker said.
In a statement to the Daily Lobo, UNM Interim Executive Director of Strategic Communications Ben Cloutier, wrote that the university’s goal is to “reach a fair agreement” with UGW-UNM while ensuring the Universities long-term “fiscal health” and affordability of education.
“We deeply value the contributions of graduate workers, who play an important role in UNM’s teaching and research missions and campus life. The University is actively engaged in ongoing negotiations with the union representing UNM’s graduate workers (UGW-UNM) and remains committed to bargaining in good faith,” the statement reads.
Gabriel Garcia, a PhD student in English, said he was pleased with the turnout on Wednesday.
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“I’ve been trying to use my voice and use myself to be present in all these things, just to really show the administration that we have solidarity and we're not going to quit until we get what we deserve,” Garcia said.
Students set up a small table in the hallway with coffee, water, snacks and pizza for lunch.
“The support system is great, we have a lot of planning that went into this event to make sure that we had contingency plans, food and water, chairs for people; part of the solidarity is looking out for each other,” Garcia said.
The group held space in Scholes Hall until 5 p.m. without interruption from campus officials.
“We respect the right of graduate workers to make their voices heard and remain hopeful that continued discussions at the bargaining table will lead to an agreement,” Cloutier wrote.
Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @paloma_chapa88
Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @paloma_chapa88
