We’ve been hearing some rumblings that certain actors are threatening to retaliate against graduate workers who decide to strike. If you are an RA, TA, or GA with between a 25% to 67% appointment, you have legal protections against retaliation and the union is here to protect you. If you want to report retaliation (threatened or actualized) please email both geo@uicgeo.org and steering@uicgeo.org. Your supervisor may “affirm your right to strike” while illegally threatening you.
What does retaliation look like?
Asking you to report your working hours (you do not have to respond to these requests)
Asking you to clarify if other workers are on strike (you could simply not respond--or reply, I’m sorry, I’m not aware of what others are doing)
Docking your pay
Threatening to take away benefits you currently have
Threatening termination
Threatening your reappointment terms
Threatening to invoke academic consequences not related to your academic performance
I’m an international student worried about my status. Am I protected by the union to strike?
International workers are legally protected in striking, just like domestic ones. Despite the growingly hostile climate towards foreign nationals, we have not yet seen any international students have their status threatened because of union activity. ICE itself affirms the rights of international students during labor disputes. Our parent union AFT has a helpful guide: FAQ on Rights and Risks in the Second Trump Era.