Elected and Community Leaders Support Real Recourse

Our elected and community leaders are weighing in for real recourse

“In September, I was proud to join these graduate student workers on campus to support their cause. [Columbia] must start bargaining with this new union at once.” - Rep. Grace Meng via twitter, 12/19/17

"As women in all occupations increasingly stand up against sexual assault and harassment, it is exciting to see young academic women using their unions as a vehicle to establish stronger recourse in order to enhance gender equity and create a more inclusive workforce in our universities." - Ai-jen Poo

Gloria Steinem signed the petition: I urge you to stand with your students and workers by respecting the democratic process, bargaining with their chosen unions and helping to advance gender equity in our universities.

"Universities are designed to be democratic institutions where academic freedom, freedom of speech, and freedom of association thrive." - Rep. Jerry Nadler, Gradate Worker Forum, 9/20/17

"Working conditions and the ability to protect workers in their workspace and provide a safe environment is crucial and this university in too many ways has failed that test." - Assemb. Deborah Glick, Gradate Worker Forum 9/20/17

Teresa Younger signed the petition: Thousands of graduate research and teaching assistants are currently organizing at your universities, in part because a contractual union grievance procedure can establish a system where those who have been assaulted and/or harassed have a better chance of achieving justice.

"We have a very basic principle in this country that workers have the right to organize." - Councilman Mark Levine, Gradate Worker Forum, 9/20/17

"I applaud graduate workers who are fighting for gender equity in our universities.” - Linda Sarsour, Activist and Former Executive Director of the Arab American Association of New York