University of Maine Graduate Workers Protest More Than 500 Days Without a Contract

PHOTO: UMaine Grad workers rally on April 24.

The University of Maine Graduate Workers (UMGW-UAW) held a rally last week to pressure the UMaine system to settle a fair contract with workers. The workers drew attention to the fact that they have now gone over 500 days without a first contract since beginning negotiations. Students say they are calling on the University to bargain a fair economic package that includes livable wages and affordable health care as well as protections for international students.

Graduate student worker Tommy Pinette told News Center Maine he worries about whether he can go to the office or stand in the food pantry line.

"It would guarantee a standard wage and standard working conditions for all workers across the UMS system," Pinette said. "It would mean we would have a living wage; that we have health care insurance, and that we have actual benefits."
 

The workers said they were offered a deal that would cut wages of some workers and increase the pay of others by roughly a dollar.

“We do all the teaching and a lot of research work that keeps this university’s R1 status, and this is just like, absolutely unacceptable. We deserve respect and dignity, and we deserve to be valued by the institution that we work for,” said graduate worker Aurora Green, according to WABI Channel 5.