The Boston University Graduate Workers Union held a protest around 7 p.m. tonight outside of the George Sherman Union before moving to WBUR CitySpace.
PHOTO BY CRYSTAL YORMICK
BUGWU was protesting the University’s recent retaliations against striking graduate workers, which include threatening future funding and degree progress, according to Nairan Wu, a student pursuing a doctorate at BU.
Today marks six months since its strike began on March 25.
According to Wu, the union protested outside WBUR CitySpace because of a private event attended by members of the BU Board of Trustees.
“We’re here to tell the Trustees loud and clearly that they need to promise, at the bare minimum, that no one will be retaliated [against] illegally, that people will have a job to return to after the strike is over,” Wu said.
The University has refused to bargain with the union since their last bargaining session on Aug. 7, Wu said.
The University’s Aug. 7 proposal include a $45,000 yearly minimum wage, annual stipend increases of 3% a year, $20 minimum hourly wages, 14 weeks of paid childcare, an annual help fund and a benefit package, according to a letter to the BU community from University Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gloria Waters.
“We’re a lot closer to a deal, but that deal currently leaves behind some of the most vulnerable members of our union, which includes international students, students with disabilities and people who have dependents,” Wu said.
BU Spokesperson Colin Riley said that the University is hopeful for the next BUGWU bargaining session, which is scheduled Tuesday, Oct. 1.
“We hope that there’s progress and resolution on some of these outstanding [issues],” Riley said. “We’re working to come to an agreement.”
Several BU Police Department officers were present at the protest, including BUPD Chief Robert Lowe, who declined to comment.
On Friday, Sept. 27, the union will be hosting a picket at Agganis Arena and a “Workers’ Inauguration” outside the GSU during the inauguration of BU President Melissa Gilliam. Wu said BUGWU will be joined by every unionized worker at BU.
“If we’re the ones who are actually running the University, then the people making the decisions about the University should hear what we have to say,” Wu said.
quick note on recent BUGWU article — BU is offering 14 weeks of parental leave, not of childcare. They’re offering the equivalent of 2-3 weeks of childcare via a $3500/child subsidy (means-tested so only households with a combined modified adjusted gross income below $100,000 can access it. Childcare at BU’s children center ages 0-5 costs over $36,000/year/child.