April 2026 - CGE Newsletter - lists.cge6069.org

Organizing blitz, bargaining town hall, and secretary of state events!
by Serena Frazee 17 Apr '26

17 Apr '26

*Dear CGE Members and Community,* *Quick Little Reminders* - We need your help to bring your healthcare providers in-network. Please share a list of providers you would like to bring in-network in this brief, anonymous survey <https://forms.gle/WZn9Dz528QZsJUxV6>. The survey also includes the option to provide more detailed information about your healthcare providers (both in-network and out-of-network with Cigna). This information will help provide further context for your bargaining team, and be part of creating a list of recommended providers for new grad workers and others looking for healthcare. - *Bargaining Priorities Survey* Our hardworking bargaining team have started preparing for the next round of bargaining, and need our input! They have made an anonymous survey ( *here* <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc5jPAQI0Ft8iFSudl8AyfBvo8PexZxygZ…>) to produce a bargaining platform and contract language that meets workers needs. This is a great opportunity to help shape your working conditions*!* - *Opt-out of summer health insurance deadline, May 1st* The deadline to opt-out of summer health insurance for people in certain situations (like graduating before summer) is approaching. You can fill out the Summer Session Opt-Out form <https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhr.oregon…> here, which should streamline things like getting refunds. If you have any questions please reach out to OSU grad health at gradhealth(a)oregonstate.edu. Announcements - *Organizing Blitz next week* Next week is our spring organizing blitz, where CGE stewards will be prioritizing in-person conversations in large and less represented departments. The goal is to get an understanding of the needs and work of grads in these departments and build organizing power in preparation for our upcoming bargaining cycle. You may see a few new faces walking around your buildings next week because of this, and they may even ask to chat about your work. The more folks we can talk to this week, the better position we will be in for bargaining, so if a steward visits your office next week, please take a few minutes to chat with them. If you'd like to assist stewards this week or learn how to do this type of organizing work, please stop by our trainings held Monday (4/20) and Tuesday (4/21) morning at 9AM-10AM in Westminster house. *Upcoming Events* - *Prep for the Primaries, Monday, April 20th 1:30-3pm, MU quad* Organized by the Committee for Political Engagement (COPE), with special guest Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read, this will be an opportunity to ask questions and learn about the upcoming election. With snacks! - *Bargaining Town Hall, Thursday, April 23rd at 5pm at Westminster House* This will be a time to ask questions about the bargaining process, express concerns, talk about our contract and how we'd like to see it better. Plus there will be pizza. See you there! *Committees and Caucuses that need your help* Grad workers are capable and passionate people who can together exercise great power. One of the ways we do that is through caucuses and committees. All meetings are at WestM unless otherwise stated. *Bargaining Team:* *Like everything else CGE does, the impact bargaining team is made up of members - that’s you!* If you are concerned about the change in our health care from PacificSource to Cigna and want to get involved, *please reach out to Cortney at vp_bargaining(a)cge6069.org <vp_bargaining(a)cge6069.org> or just come to a meeting!* There are many ways you can contribute - doing research, helping draft contract language, and/or being a negotiator. Meetings are Fridays 9:30-11 am in the Student Lounge of WestM. *Constitution and Bylaws Committee:* This committee meets to go over CGE's constitution and bylaws <https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cge60…> and suggest changes to them, which members will vote on at the spring general membership meeting. This year, one of our main focuses will be on solidifying the existence of a strike fund in our constitution. If you have any ideas about other changes that need to be made to the constitution or bylaws, please join the committee! This committee will only need to meet a few times during Spring Term, so it's a pretty easy way to get involved if you've been looking for a place to get plugged in. If you're interested you can either email me (president(a)cge6069.org) *International Caucus: *The CGE International Caucus is open to all graduate students regardless of CGE membership status and serves to represent the concerns of all international students at Oregon State University. The International Graduate Caucus recognizes that international graduate students attending OSU have unique needs and difficulties in comparison to US students. Reach out to president(a)cge6069.org. In solidarity, Serena Frazee (she/her) VP for Communications, Coalition of Graduate Employees, AFT Local 6069 PhD Student in Integrative Biology, Oregon State University

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Bargaining preparation
by Serena Frazee 10 Apr '26

10 Apr '26

*Dear CGE Members and Community,* *Hope you are all enjoying the weather!* *Quick Little Reminders* - We need your help to bring your healthcare providers in-network. Please share a list of providers you would like to bring in-network in this brief, anonymous survey <https://forms.gle/WZn9Dz528QZsJUxV6>. The survey also includes the option to provide more detailed information about your healthcare providers (both in-network and out-of-network with Cigna). This information will help provide further context for your bargaining team, and be part of creating a list of recommended providers for new grad workers and others looking for healthcare. - *Tax help through VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), through Tax Day (April 15th)* Grads can get help with taxes through the VITA program at OSU. Bring any tax forms, a photo ID, and passport or SSN card and volunteers will work with you to file your taxes. Grads have reported a quick and simple process and higher than usual tax returns. Book an appointment here <https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a9scfAEOs98cNrU>. Announcements - *Preparing for bargaining* Our next contract will go into effect in 2028, which may feel like the distant future, but bargaining is a time consuming process. Negotiations will likely begin in March of 2027. Our hardworking bargaining team have started preparing, and need our input. They have made an anonymous survey (h ere <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc5jPAQI0Ft8iFSudl8AyfBvo8PexZxygZ…>) the produce a bargaining platform and contract language that meets workers needs. This is a low effort opportunity to help shape your working conditions*. *Additionally, there will be a Bargaining Town Hall event (see below)! *Upcoming Events* - *Bargaining Town Hall, Thursday, April 23rd at 5pm at Westminster House* This will be a time to ask questions about the bargaining process, express concerns, talk about our contract and how we'd like to see it better. Plus there will be pizza. See you there! - *April 20th Secretary of State Party* The Oregon Secretary of State will be on campus. Keep an eye out for more info! *Committees and Caucuses that need your help* Grad workers are capable and passionate people who can together exercise great power. One of the ways we do that is through caucuses and committees. All meetings are at WestM unless otherwise stated. **Updates for Spring term** *Bargaining Team:* *Like everything else CGE does, the impact bargaining team is made up of members - that’s you!* If you are concerned about the change in our health care from PacificSource to Cigna and want to get involved, *please reach out to Cortney at vp_bargaining(a)cge6069.org <vp_bargaining(a)cge6069.org> or just come to a meeting!* There are many ways you can contribute - doing research, helping draft contract language, and/or being a negotiator. Meetings are Fridays 9:30-11 am in the Student Lounge of WestM. *Constitution and Bylaws Committee:* This committee meets to go over CGE's constitution and bylaws <https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cge60…> and suggest changes to them, which members will vote on at the spring general membership meeting. This year, one of our main focuses will be on solidifying the existence of a strike fund in our constitution. If you have any ideas about other changes that need to be made to the constitution or bylaws, please join the committee! This committee will only need to meet a few times during Spring Term, so it's a pretty easy way to get involved if you've been looking for a place to get plugged in. If you're interested you can either email me (president(a)cge6069.org) *International Caucus: *The CGE International Caucus is open to all graduate students regardless of CGE membership status and serves to represent the concerns of all international students at Oregon State University. The International Graduate Caucus recognizes that international graduate students attending OSU have unique needs and difficulties in comparison to US students. Reach out to president(a)cge6069.org. In solidarity, Serena Frazee (she/her) VP for Communications, Coalition of Graduate Employees, AFT Local 6069 PhD Student in Integrative Biology, Oregon State University

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Fellows' Union update, PCC strike is over, and Spring engagement opportunities!
by Serena Frazee 03 Apr '26

03 Apr '26

*Dear CGE Members and Community,* *Quick Little Reminders* - We need your help to bring your healthcare providers in-network. Please share a list of providers you would like to bring in-network in this brief, anonymous survey <https://forms.gle/WZn9Dz528QZsJUxV6>. The survey also includes the option to provide more detailed information about your healthcare providers (both in-network and out-of-network with Cigna). This information will help provide further context for your bargaining team, and be part of creating a list of recommended providers for new grad workers and others looking for healthcare. - *Tax help through VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), through Tax Day (April 15th)* Grads can get help with taxes through the VITA program at OSU. Bring any tax forms, a photo ID, and passport or SSN card and volunteers will work with you to file your taxes. Grads have reported a quick and simple process and higher than usual tax returns. Book an appointment here <https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a9scfAEOs98cNrU>. Announcements - *Fellows' Union update* OSU has objected to the Fellows' Union authorization process by claiming that fellows aren't employees. This is not surprising, as they claimed the same thing about graduate research assistants before they were included in the bargaining unit. They were wrong then, as the Employment Relations Board found, and they are wrong now. This is far from over. Fellows' do work that benefits the OSU and deserve the same protections as GTAs/GRAs. - *Congratulations to PCCFCE and PCCFFAP!* After weeks of strike both units of workers at Portland Community College have reached tentative agreements on their contracts! These workers fought hard for what they deserved: they organized, they united on picket line, they held fast in bargaining, and it worked. Before the strike PCC was offering cost-of-living-adjustment of 0.25%, and these folks won 2-3%. Before the strike PCC was refusing any back-pay, after the strike the workers received lump-sum payments in the range of thousands. This is reminder of the power we have when we come together. *Upcoming Events* - *April 20th Secretary of State Party* The Oregon Secretary of State will be on campus. Keep an eye out for more info! *Committees and Caucuses that need your help* Grad workers are capable and passionate people who can together exercise great power. One of the ways we do that is through caucuses and committees. All meetings are at WestM unless otherwise stated. **Updates for Spring term** *Bargaining Team:* *Like everything else CGE does, the impact bargaining team is made up of members - that’s you!* If you are concerned about the change in our health care from PacificSource to Cigna and want to get involved, *please reach out to Cortney at vp_bargaining(a)cge6069.org <vp_bargaining(a)cge6069.org> or just come to a meeting!* There are many ways you can contribute - doing research, helping draft contract language, and/or being a negotiator. Meetings are Fridays 9:30-11 am in the Student Lounge of WestM. *Constitution and Bylaws Committee:* This committee meets to go over CGE's constitution and bylaws <https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cge60…> and suggest changes to them, which members will vote on at the spring general membership meeting. This year, one of our main focuses will be on solidifying the existence of a strike fund in our constitution. If you have any ideas about other changes that need to be made to the constitution or bylaws, please join the committee! This committee will only need to meet a few times during Spring Term, so it's a pretty easy way to get involved if you've been looking for a place to get plugged in. If you're interested you can either email me (president(a)cge6069.org) *International Caucus: *The CGE International Caucus is open to all graduate students regardless of CGE membership status and serves to represent the concerns of all international students at Oregon State University. The International Graduate Caucus recognizes that international graduate students attending OSU have unique needs and difficulties in comparison to US students. Reach out to president(a)cge6069.org. Hope you are all having a good first week of term! In solidarity, Serena Frazee (she/her) VP for Communications, Coalition of Graduate Employees, AFT Local 6069 PhD Student in Integrative Biology, Oregon State University

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