- CGE Newsletter - lists.cge6069.org

Grievance settlement success! Hardship Fund opening, Cigna stuff, and more!
by Serena Frazee 10 Oct '25

10 Oct '25

*Dear CGE Members and Community,* *Quick Little Reminders* - *Complete the **Survey of Graduate Workers' Issues* Please respond to this *fully anonymous* survey <https://forms.gle/yAVbrLA42Gi9QBBJ7> to communicate what is important to you! Responses will not be distributed outside of the CGE bargaining team members and other CGE leadership. Help us get better understanding of grad workers' priorities and needs over time, to direct bargaining efforts and provide evidence of particular issues, which can help us build power at the bargaining table. - *We are in the Cigna enrollment period **(10/1-10/31) *This is the time for enrolling dependents, applying for the Transition of Care program (more info here <https://www.cigna.com/static/www-cigna-com/docs/transition-of-care-individu…>), and for out-of-network providers transitioning to in-network. - *Please share affects of the health care change as well as your ideas on specific outcomes and contract language* you would like to see come out of impact bargaining with <healthcare(a)cge6069.org> healthcare(a)cge6069.org. - *Bargaining Committee:* *Like everything else CGE does, the impact bargaining team is made up of members - that’s you! *If you are interested in learning more about or even joining the Bargaining Committee please email vp_bargaining(a)cge6069.org with a non-OSU email indicating your interest. Anyone can attend bargaining committee meetings, even if you are not a member of the team. *We are especially interested in making sure that we have representation from masters students, international students, humanities students, queer students, students of color, and any other group of students who face challenges that can be addressed through contract negotiations.* No prior experience in research/negotiations is expected or required! *Announcements* - *Cigna registration issues persist* Many people are continuing to run into issues with registering for Cigna. Crucially, this registration is only to receive your digital insurance card— *regardless of registration grads are covered by Cigna as of October 1st*. However, if you run into this issue please bring this to the attention of Grad Health at 541-737-7568 or gradhealth(a)oregonstate.edu, they should be able to help. - *We've reached a settlement with OSU for $17k owed to grads!* As you may or may not know, OSU admin refused to pay some graduate employees the retroactive pay (“backpay”) they were owed after the ratification of the 2024-2027 contract. CGE filed a grievance to address this, which OSU denied, leading us to formally move the case to a third party and the legal process of arbitration. A week before the scheduled hearing, OSU proposed a settlement offer to avoid arbitration. We countered their initial offer with the full amount we believed grads were owed, and OSU agreed. These grads will now get the money they are owed, thanks to the hours of hard work of our fellow grads and legal counsel, as well as the support of CGE members. - *CGE Hardship Fund opens next Tuesday! (10/14)* The Hardship Fund application opens on Tuesday and closes at the end of Week 5! The Hardship Fund is open to all CGE members and associate members. There are no strings attached to the hardship fund and you will never be asked to pay back any funds you receive. Information about the Hardship Fund and the link to apply can be found here <https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cge60…>. Keep in mind that the hardship fund is powered entirely by associate member and legacy member dues. OSU’s Hardship fund has more resources but is much less transparent. If you want assistance applying to OSU’s fund, email solidarity(a)cge6069.org. *Upcoming Events* - *No Kings 10/18, 12pm, **Benton County Courthouse* Come together to send the message that America has no kings, and the power belongs to the people. More info here <https://www.nokings.org/>. They are also looking for volunteers to help with safety and chant leading, contact vp_politics(a)cge6069.org if you're interested. - *Fellow Town Hall, 10/21, 4-6pm, Westminster House* Fellows, we need to hear from you about your issues and vision for a better workplace! Please come share your voice, and discuss your experiences with peers over a free dinner. [image: Fellow Town Hall.jpg] - *General Membership Meeting (GMM), Monday 10/27, 5-7pm at WestM* At the GMM we will have updates about AFT-CIO (our parent union), the healthcare transition, and other plans for the year. *Come connect with your coworkers about what's going on in your workplace and your union over free dinner! *GMMs are an opportunity for all members stay informed, take action on things that matter to us, and organize with leaders and members from across the university. *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. *Grievance Committee: *A great opportunity for people to learn more about the contract and how we defend it. Meets Thursdays 2-3 pm at WestM. Email vp_grievances(a)cge6069.org for more information. *Committee on Political Engagement (COPE)*: Plans and implements actions around wider political issues. COPE members channel collective power into concrete efforts to make a difference in local and state politics. Meets Fridays 10-11 am at WestM. Email vp_politics(a)cge6069.org for more information. 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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Fall BBQ tomorrow!!! Cigna registration & enrollment, grad workers survey, and 25 years of CGE!
by Serena Frazee 03 Oct '25

03 Oct '25

*Dear CGE Members and Community,* *Quick Little Reminders* - *Please share affects of the health care change as well as your ideas on specific outcomes and contract language* you would like to see come out of impact bargaining with <healthcare(a)cge6069.org> healthcare(a)cge6069.org. - *Bargaining Committee:* *Like everything else CGE does, the impact bargaining team is made up of members - that’s you! *If you are interested in learning more about or even joining the Bargaining Committee (lots of different roles including research, data analysis, and strategy need to be filled!) please email vp_bargaining(a)cge6069.org with a non-OSU email indicating your interest. Anyone can attend bargaining committee meetings, even if you are not a member of the team. *We are especially interested in making sure that we have representation from masters students, international students, humanities students, queer students, students of color, and any other group of students who face challenges that can be addressed through contract negotiations.* No prior experience in research/negotiations is expected or required! *Announcements* - *Our health insurance has now officially transferred to Cigna* Cigna is not going to send out physical insurance cards, so we have to *register using the website <https://my.cigna.com/web/public/consumer/registration/intro> or the MyCigna app* to get digital cards. Some folks have had problems registering, fixes identified so far are: - making sure the address used when registering is the one that OSU has on file - trying on the website if the app doesn’t work - trying different web browsers Thank you for continuing to reach out to the healthcare email about your experiences with the health insurance change. - *We are now in the Cigna enrollment period (10/1-10/31)* During this period you can apply for the Transition of Care program, under which you could get continued care at in-network levels with providers not in-network for Cigna. This program only applies for specific health conditions and for a limited period of time. You can find more information about that here <https://www.cigna.com/static/www-cigna-com/docs/transition-of-care-individu…> . Also during this time providers themselves can apply to become in-network with Cigna, so if you are interested in that this is the time to speak with your providers. - *Survey of Graduate Workers' Issues* Please respond to this survey, <https://forms.gle/yAVbrLA42Gi9QBBJ7> to communicate what is important to you! This survey is *fully anonymous*, we are not collecting any personally identifiable data. Responses will not be distributed outside of the CGE bargaining team members and other CGE leadership. The purpose of this survey is to get a better understanding of grad workers' priorities and needs over time, which can be used to direct bargaining efforts and to provide evidence to OSU of the breadth and depth of particular issues, which can help us build power at the bargaining table. *Reflecting on 25 years of CGE* We are celebrating CGE’s 25th anniversary this year at our annual Fall Barbeque. To understand the importance of this milestone, we’re writing with a reminder about our union’s history, which coincides with and informs some of the same issues we’re organizing around today. In the 1990s, graduate student employees at OSU wanted health coverage (as most people do) and began organizing to get health benefits. At the time, OSU told these grad workers that health care was an impossible demand. After OSU refused their appeals for health benefits, grads took the step of formally uniting as a labor union, and CGE was established in 1999. OSU now officially had to bargain with CGE over their first contract, which was settled in 2001. We didn’t win health coverage in that first contract, but we did get $110-per-worker-per-term to put towards health coverage. It took until 2004 to get health coverage in the contract, with OSU covering 75% of the plan. Over subsequent contracts our benefits increased: 85%, summer coverage, coverage for dependents, to the current 90% coverage. That kind of incremental, sometimes non-linear process is typical of contract changes over time, since employers put up a strong fight against new protections, and sometimes claw back gains unions have made during past negotiations. The fight over health insurance wasn’t the whole story: in the first contract, we had guarantees about minimum salary, hours, safety protections, benefits, or a process for grieving wrongful actions of the employer. All of that has been achieved over the past 25 years due to hard work of CGE members past and present. Contract negotiations aren’t the only way we can make change at our workplace. As those of us who were around last year know from experience, another tool we have for change is withholding our labor. Going on strike was an unprecedented and challenging moment in CGE’s history. It was difficult for everyone involved, but—paired with the hard work of the bargaining team—won us the ability to bargain regularly and a double-digit raise to the minimum salary, among other wins. This anniversary coincides with a time of uncertainty about our health coverage, the very issue that catalyzed CGE’s formation in the first place. *This is why it’s so important to continue to model the ethos that CGE formed under 25 years ago: grads united for a better workplace. Whatever happens with the new insurance plan, it’s vital that we make decisions together by continuing to organize for justice.* Right now, we are still assessing how wide and deep the impact of this change is. But regardless of what happens in the coming months, we will work together to ensure grads get the care we deserve. *Upcoming Events* - *Fall BBQ, 10/4 (this Saturday!), 6-9pm, Lions Shelter, Avery Park* Come celebrate CGE's 25th anniversary and party like it's the year 2000. There will be free food and drinks, a dj set, and games including giant janga, giant connect 4, and giant tic tac toe. Everyone is welcome, bring friends and maybe even make some new ones. I will see you there! [image: Flyer for the fall bbq, warm colors with a cartoon microphone, speaker and bottle dancing and information about the event.] - *Fellow Town Hall, 10/21, 4-6pm, Westminster House* Fellows, we need to hear from you about your issues and vision for a better workplace! Please come share your voice, and discuss your experiences with peers over a free dinner. [image: Fellow Town Hall.jpg] 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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Welcome back: Health care enrollment period, DEI at OSU, the Fall BBQ, and more!
by Serena Frazee 24 Sep '25

24 Sep '25

*Dear CGE Members and Community,* *Quick Little Reminders* - *Please share affects of the health care change as well as your ideas on specific outcomes and contract language* you would like to see come out of impact bargaining with <healthcare(a)cge6069.org> healthcare(a)cge6069.org. - *The health care enrollment period is starting soon **(10/1-10/31)! **This is the period for:* - Out-of-network providers transitioning to be in-network for Cigna - Adding or removing any dependents - Waiving the plan if you have existing comparable coverage - *Don't forget to do the OSU required trainings* *Announcements* - *Welcome back!* With the start of the new academic year, I want to say welcome back (although we all know grads work over the summer) and wish everyone a good fall term. We are starting the term at a strange, uncertain time for the country, the future of higher education, and even OSU. Graduate school is hard work, and not something we can do alone in the simplest of times. As we navigate this year, the Coalition of Graduate Employees (CGE) and this newsletter will be a space for grads to support each other. - *Support DEI at OSU* Two *programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at OSU are being terminated:* the Search Advocate Program (SAP), which focused on training about and implementing inclusive hiring practices, and the Social Justice Education Initiative (SJEI), which offered interactive, reflective workshops on social justice for faculty, graduate students, and staff. Higher education institutions are under pressure from the federal administration to remove DEI programs and services. In the face of these threats, it is the responsibility of the Oregon State University community to hold our university accountable to its commitments of supporting diversity and creating equitable outcomes for marginalized communities.* Please sign this petition <https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/petition-to-reverse-cancellations-of-de…> to show that we care about DEI at OSU.* - *Submit testimony for Health Care for All* The state of Oregon is currently developing and assessing a state-wide universal health care program and looking for public comment. Universal health care would protect people from the experience we've had of our healthcare changing unexpectedly based on our employers financial choices. *You can submit testimony to the Universal Health Care Governance Board here <https://www.oregon.gov/uhpgb/Pages/public-comment.aspx>*. There are also public meetings and lots of other ways to get involved at Health Care for All Oregon <https://www.hcao.org/take-action>! *Upcoming Events* - *Housing Rights Rally, this Saturday, 9/27 2-4pm, Chintimini Park* Show up and show support for public housing, rent control, and the decriminalization of homelessness, while enjoying free food and live music. Learn more at humanright.house. - *Fall BBQ, 10/4, 6-9pm, Lions Shelter, Avery Park* This year the Fall BBQ is also the CGE 25th Anniversary Party! Kick off the new academic year and celebrate our 25th birthday with food, drinks, music, and lots of games. Everyone is welcome, bring friends and maybe even make some new ones. I will see you there! [image: Flyer for the fall bbq, warm colors with a cartoon microphone, speaker and bottle dancing and information about the event.] 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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MOI positions closing, health insurance GMM, Fall BBQ, and more!
by Serena Frazee 08 Sep '25

08 Sep '25

*Dear CGE Members and Community,* *Quick Little Reminders* - *Paid Position: Fall MOI applications close today!* Applications for AFT-Oregons Member Organizing Institute (MOI) are open! MOI is a 3 month paid training program that teaches organizing skills through real-world experience in concert with staff and local leaders. It pays 25$/hour for a maximum of 10 hours a week. Reach out to organizer(a)cge6069.org asap to indicate your interest and get the application materials. - *Fall Appointment Letter Deadline* If you got your appointment letter after 8/16 or still haven’t gotten it, OSU owes you 50$! Please email Christopher at *vp_grievances(a)cge6069.org* <vp_grievances(a)cge6069.org> or use the confidential grievance form <https://www.cge6069.org/grievance/>. - *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 Piper at vp_bargaining(a)cge6069.org <vp_bargaining(a)cge6069.org>.* There are many ways you can contribute - doing research, helping draft contract language, and/or being a negotiator. Meetings are Mondays 10-11 am in the Student Lounge of WestM. - *Please share affects of the health care change as well as your ideas on specific outcomes and contract language* you would like to see come out of impact bargaining with <healthcare(a)cge6069.org> healthcare(a)cge6069.org. - *Speak to you out-of-network providers* about transitioning to be in-network for Cigna (the transition period starts 10/1). *Upcoming Events* - *Special Health Insurance **GMM, September 11th, 5-7pm* (Cordley Hall, 1316 or on Zoom) At this meeting we will discuss how the health insurance change will impact us and work together to plan for it. This is a time to address questions or concerns about Cigna or impact bargaining, as well as ideas for contract language and goals for impact bargaining. *Health insurance affects all of us and it's important that our response reflects that. This event open to everyone covered by the bargaining agreement, meaning all GTAs and GRAs.* Please bring your thoughts, your voice, and your friends. *A note about zoom:* If you need to attend on zoom please change your display name to your first and last name before entering the waiting room to make to prevent chaos and stress for our zoom moderators. Zoom link: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/91387759292?pwd=18FRzGpmixbjHHwKIGNNnZrbvtJRv… - *25th Anniversary Fall Barbecue, October 4th, 6-9pm* (Lions Shelter, Avery Park) The annual fall bbq is coming up soon, and this year we're celebrating 25 years of CGE! In the fall of 1995, OSU grad workers began to organize to convince the administration to provide them with health insurance. OSU refused, which lead the workers to form an official labor union which eventually successfully negotiated a contract that includes health insurance. Although our health insurance is in a state of uncertainty right now, due to those early efforts our health insurance is contractually protected. There will be food, drinks, games, and music, plus a celebration of how far we've come in the last 25 years. Everyone is welcome! *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. *Meeting this week:* *Contract Action Team (CATs): * We need more CATs! Our CATs do all of our on-the-ground work, including turnout to events, talking to members, planning actions, and so much more. You can commit as much or as little time as you have. If you want to be more involved in organizing efforts, but don’t know where to start, CAT meetings are the place to start! Come to a CAT meeting in Cordley 4329! Wednesdays 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Cordley 4329. *Committee on Political Engagement (COPE)*: Plans and implements actions around wider political issues. COPE members channel collective power into concrete efforts to make a difference at local and national scales of government and policy. Wednesdays 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm in WestM. *Disability Justice Caucus:* The DJ Caucus is committed to providing space for disabled, Mad, crip, mentally ill, neuroqueer, neurodivergent, crazy, blind, deaf, and hard-of-hearing graduate students to be in community with each other, as well as to center their needs, interests, and concerns. Moreover, the DJ Caucus works to end ableist/sanist structures and dynamics within CGE and Oregon State University. Open to all graduate students, regardless of current CGE membership status. Every other Thursday (this week!) 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm in WestM. *Mutual Aid Caucus:* Organizes mutual aid for grads and other members of our community! The Mutual Aid Caucus organizes resource sharing events and builds a supportive empowering community. Wednesdays 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm in WestM. *Priority and reviving caucuses and committees:* - Environmental Justice Caucus - International Caucus - Membership Committee If you are interested in helping with any caucuses or committees (or start a new one!), email solidarity(a)cge6069.org to connect with the Executive Council, who will help you get started! In solidarity, Serena Frazee (she/her) VP for Communications, Coalition of Graduate Employees, AFT Local 6069 PhD Student in Integrative Biology, Oregon State University 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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Cigna call line updates, fall appointment letters, paid organizing position, and more!
by Serena Frazee 25 Aug '25

25 Aug '25

*Dear CGE Members and Community,* *Quick Little Reminders* *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 Piper at vp_bargaining(a)cge6069.org <vp_bargaining(a)cge6069.org>.* There are many ways you can contribute - doing research, helping draft contract language, and/or being a negotiator. Meetings are Mondays 10-11 am in the Student Lounge of WestM. * Do you want a say in how CGE communicates, both to membership and the public?* If so please reach out to me at *vp_communications(a)cge6069.org <vp_communications(a)cge6069.org>*. - *Please share affects of the health care change as well as your ideas on specific outcomes and contract language* you would like to see come out of impact bargaining with <healthcare(a)cge6069.org>healthcare(a)cge6069.org. - *Speak to you out-of-network providers* about transitioning to be in-network for Cigna (the transition period starts 10/1). *Announcements* *Cigna call line* The Cigna call line (1-888-806-5042) is open for calls about our insurance change. Unfortunately, it seems to be less reliable than we hoped, as there have been cases of people getting conflicting information. OSU should provide us with actual plan details on September 1st, but until then this call line is our best resource. This inconsistency is disappointing, but it is still helpful to collect all the information we can. Thank you to everyone who has called and shared what they have learned with healthcare(a)cge6069.org. To reiterate, according to OSU we will still have dental and vision insurance, we just don't yet know the details of the coverage. *Fall Appointment Letter Deadline* If you got your appointment letter after 8/16 or still haven’t gotten it, OSU owes you 50$! Please email Christopher at *vp_grievances(a)cge6069.org* <vp_grievances(a)cge6069.org> or use the confidential grievance form <https://www.cge6069.org/grievance/>. *Paid Position: Fall MOI* Applications for AFT-Oregons Member Organizing Institute (MOI) are open! MOI is a 3 month paid training program that teaches organizing skills through real-world experience in concert with staff and local leaders. It pays 25$/hour for a maximum of 10 hours a week. Because it is not through OSU it doesn't impact FTE or other aspects of research or teaching work. Program highlights include: ● Attend a paid two-day organizing training with other member organizing institute/academy participants ● Get real-world field experience under guidance from professional organizing staff ● Regular team meetings with other MOI participants to compare and learn ● Establish and build organizing practices for our local including helping with a membership drive and having organizing conversations *Applications are due September 8th* but reach out to organizer(a)cge6069.org asap to indicate your interest and get the application materials. *Bargaining updates* The bargaining team is working hard to prepare for impact bargaining over potential consequences of the health care change. What we propose in impact bargaining is dependent on what consequences there are and what members want. Please continue to share your information and thoughts with healthcare(a)cge6069.org. For detailed information on impact bargaining VP for Bargaining Piper sent out an excellent email this morning. *Upcoming Events* - *Special Health Care **GMM, September 11th, 5-7pm* (location TBD) - This meeting will be an opportunity to discuss how the health care change will impact us and work together to plan for it. Please come and bring your questions, thoughts, and friends. *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. *Meeting this week:* *Contract Action Team (CATs): * We need more CATs! Our CATs do all of our on-the-ground work, including turnout to events, talking to members, planning actions, and so much more. You can commit as much or as little time as you have. If you want to be more involved in organizing efforts, but don’t know where to start, CAT meetings are the place to start! Come to a CAT meeting in Cordley 4329! Wednesdays 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Cordley 4329. *Committee on Political Engagement (COPE)*: Plans and implements actions around wider political issues. COPE members channel collective power into concrete efforts to make a difference at local and national scales of government and policy. Wednesdays 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm in WestM. *Disability Justice Caucus:* The DJ Caucus is committed to providing space for disabled, Mad, crip, mentally ill, neuroqueer, neurodivergent, crazy, blind, deaf, and hard-of-hearing graduate students to be in community with each other, as well as to center their needs, interests, and concerns. Moreover, the DJ Caucus works to end ableist/sanist structures and dynamics within CGE and Oregon State University. Open to all graduate students, regardless of current CGE membership status. Every other Thursday (this week!) 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm in WestM. *Mutual Aid Caucus:* Organizes mutual aid for grads and other members of our community! The Mutual Aid Caucus organizes resource sharing events and builds a supportive empowering community. Wednesdays 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm in WestM. If you are interested in helping to lead/organize any of the following caucuses (or start a new one!), email solidarity(a)cge6069.org to connect with the Executive Council, who will help you get started! - Anti-Harassment Caucus - Caucus on Graduate Employee Safety - Environmental Justice Caucus - Housing Caucus - International Caucus - Women of Color Caucus - Working Parents Caucus 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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Changes to Health Insurance and Impact Bargaining
by Serena Frazee 11 Aug '25

11 Aug '25

Dear CGE Members and Community, *Quick Little Reminders* *Fall Appointment Letter Deadline* Appointment letters for fall are due *8/16*. If you do not receive your appointment letter by that date OSU has violated your contract and owes you 50$! Keep an eye out for your letter and remind your coworkers to do the same. *Critical Trainings Reminder* OSU has indicated that they will be more diligent about the enforcement of critical training timelines, so make sure you are up to date on your Bridge trainings! *Announcements* *Impact Bargaining Over Changes to Grad Health Insurance* OSU has decided to change graduate workers' health insurance from PacificSource to Cigna, starting Oct. 1st 2025. This decision was made without warning or input from grads. OSU has claimed that this change will not be detrimental to us; with equivalent coverage and no increase to co-pays or deductibles (although they admitted there may be some increase to payroll deductions for insurance due to across the board market rate increases). However, specific plan information and a summary of benefits will not be available until September 1st. There are serious concerns about the quality of coverage we will get under Cigna. Cigna has faced lawsuits related to the use of AI to deny coverage, and many providers grad workers see for continued care may soon be out of network. The executive council of CGE has sent a demand to OSU to start impact bargaining over this issue. In impact bargaining, we can bargain with OSU about how the change is rolled out. *This is one of the best ways that we can use our collective power right now to try and minimize the negative effects of this change.* Unfortunately, we cannot prevent OSU from switching providers, but we can find other ways to hold OSU accountable in their assurances that this change will not hurt workers. Given the choice, *OSU prioritized their bottom line over concerns about our health and safety. It is up to us to apply pressure to make sure we and our fellow workers get the care we need.* *What Can We Do* - *Please share your ideas on specific outcomes and contract language* you would like to see come out of impact bargaining with <healthcare(a)cge6069.org>healthcare(a)cge6069.org. - Share how this change is affecting you at the same email - *Starting 8/15: Call Cigna (1-888-806-5042)* for more information about how this change will affect you - *Speak to out-of-network providers* about transitioning to in-network (the transition period starts 10/1) - *9/11: Come to the **General Membership Meeting, 5-7pm* (location TBD) to discuss this issue - *Join the **impact bargaining team*, by reaching out to *vp_bargaining(a)cge6069.org <vp_bargaining(a)cge6069.org>*. There are many ways you can contribute - doing research, helping draft contract language, and/or being a negotiator. You’ll be working with members of the current b-team who just finished bargaining over our entire contract so you’ll have tons of support and training along the way. For more information about this see the previous all worker email and reach out to healthcare(a)cge6069.org. *Meet Our New Executive Council* CGE's 2025/2026 Executive Council has officially started in their roles! Please welcome: President: Sarah Sellke VP Bargaining: Piper Aislinn VP Communications: Serena Frazee VP Solidarity: Kaelan Weiss VPs Organizing: Emily Branam and Mireia Roig-Paul VPs Membership: Brett Pentecost and Steph Chase VP Social Activities: Andrea Retano VP Grievances: Christopher Cericola VP Political Engagement: John Santos Secretary Treasurer: Andrew Scherer *Upcoming Events* *Organizing 201: Navigating Fears of Retaliation* 8/12, 2-4pm, Westminster House 101 NW 23rd St, Corvallis, OR 97330 Come help us develop strategies to facilitate productive organizing conversations with our fellow workers! *Committees and Caucuses That Need Your Help* *Communications Committee: *The Comms Committee is looking for folks to help improve CGE's communications. There will be lots of support and flexible levels of commitment. Are you a creative type? Interested in graphic design, web design, or writing? Are you passionate about accessibility in communication? Do you want a say in how CGE communicates, both to membership and the public? If so please reach out to me at *vp_communications(a)cge6069.org <vp_communications(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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No King's Day Protest THIS SATURDAY (and other info!)
by Erika Stewart 12 Jun '25

12 Jun '25

CGE Members and Community, NO KING’S DAY PROTEST THIS SATURDAY The No King’s Day protest <https://indivisiblebc.org/urgent-no-kings-day/> is THIS SATURDAY June 14th 12-4pm at the Benton County Courthouse (120 NW 4th St). NO KINGS is a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration. We’ve watched as they’ve cracked down on free speech, detained people for their political positions, threatened to deport American citizens, and defied the courts. They’ve done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies. They think they rule—but we are bigger than even their worst aspirations. Donald Trump is planning a military parade in Washington, D.C. on June 14. This display of might is intended to intimidate opponents and solidify his image as a strongman on our dime—we won’t stand by while that happens. Instead of allowing this military parade to be the center of gravity, we will make action everywhere else the story of America that day: people coming together in communities across the country to reject strongman politics and corruption. Alongside local organizers, partners, and leaders from across the pro-democracy & pro-worker movement, we will demonstrate organized people power that outpaces any authoritarian aspirations. Find more information on the Indivisible Benton County website <https://indivisiblebc.org/urgent-no-kings-day/> and JOIN US THIS SATURDAY! Help start CGE’s Mutual Aid Caucus! We are starting a new CGE Caucus to help organize mutual aid for grads and other members of our community! As this is a new caucus, we need interested people to help imagine and plan how we can support our fellow workers and community members through mutual aid most effectively. If you are interested in supporting your fellow grads through mutual aid, fill out the interest form here! <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZ8KBlA5huUgyIOQI8U7TYeoMnje8m-xk…> 3rd Annual CGE Pride June 29th, 4-8pm! The recently revived CGE Pride Caucus is planning CGE Pride for the end of this month, on Sunday, June 29th, at 4-8pm in the Lion’s Shelter at Avery Park! We have booked the Lion's Shelter at Avery Park for an evening of food, fun, and queer solidarity on June 29th (4-8 PM). Current ideas for (optional) activities include trivia, crafts, and swing dance lessons. If you want to help make this happen/have feedback on activities you would like to see, fill out this form! <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc6DLPTXwt2IZ04JYusRHawET8utTWWWbs…> If you want to help plan this event, CGE's Pride Caucus meets every other week at 4pm on Thursdays in the student lounge at WestM. Our next meeting is TODAY, and we are also inviting people to help plan on 6/27! The pride caucus is also a space to find community and discuss issues facing the LGBTQ community in Corvallis. All are welcome! COMMITTEES AND CAUCUSES THAT NEED YOUR HELP: Join CGE’ s Committee on Political Engagement! CGE COPE (Committee on Political Education Engagement, we voted to change the name) meetings are every Friday 1-2pm in the CGE office. Email vp_politics(a)cge6069.org for more information about how to get involved! Contract Action Team (CAT) Meetings every Friday, 12-1pm, in Cordley 4329! We need more CATs! Our CATs do all of our on-the-ground work, including turnout to events, talking to members, planning actions, and so much more. You can commit as much or as little time as you have. If, since the strike, you have wanted to continue to be involved in organizing efforts, but don’t know where to start, come to a CAT meeting in Cordley 4329! Solidarity forever, Erika, VP for Communications

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Rally for Backpay THIS THURSDAY! Brew-Off THIS SATURDAY!
by Erika Stewart 03 Jun '25

03 Jun '25

CGE Members and Community, RALLY FOR BACKPAY - THIS THURSDAY 12-2PM - KERR ADMIN BUILDING Last month, we submitted a grievance on behalf of every graduate employee who was employed during Fall term (at the time of ratification) and did not receive back pay from the University. The university is arguing that GEs who were not in the bargaining unit on January 10, 2025 are not eligible, thereby excluding fall term graduates or people who switched to fellowship for winter term. There are between 65-124 GEs who are owed back pay and did not receive it, totalling a collective amount of at least $17,000 (very likely more). Our grievance, which argued that the university had no authority to exclude these employees, was denied on April 25. On Friday, May 9, the Executive Council voted to move this grievance to arbitration. This means that we will have a neutral third-party judge rule on the case after a formal hearing and presentation of evidence. It may take time before we reach a resolution. In the meantime, we need you to mobilize to stand up for your fellow workers! An injury to one grad worker is an injury to all—we need to defend our contract to the fullest extent to preserve our hard-won rights. OSU continues to show us they won’t do the right thing until we stand up together. We will be rallying and picketing on June 5th from 12-2 PM in front of the Kerr Administration Building. This could easily have happened to any single one of us, and things like this will continue to happen if we don’t fight back. Important context to keep in mind: During this last bargaining cycle, OSU introduced changes to our grievance article that would prevent us from taking grievances like this to arbitration. They did not win these changes, but they pursued them well into bargaining, sending a clear signal that OSU wants to strip our ability to move these grievances to a neutral arbitrator. They will continue to come for our rights, in and outside of the bargaining cycle. What’s the source of the disagreement? According to the LOA we ratified in December, “The parties agree to apply the compensation terms retroactively to September 16, 2024 so that those graduate employees whose Fall term 2024 employment started on or after September 16, 2024 and remain employed by OSU on ratification of the agreement, shall receive the applicable salary increase(s).” We concluded our ratification vote on December 10, 2024. On December 11, 2024, striking GEs returned to work, honoring the portion of the LOA which states “Upon ratification of this agreement, graduate employees will return to their previously assigned work and will not be obligated to work over their normal contractual hours.” The University claims that “ratification” did not occur until January 10, 2025. This was the date that the last member of the OSU bargaining team signed an electronic version of the CBA. We’ve consulted our attorney, scoured our notes, and dug deep into bargaining history: there is no merit to this argument. We ratified the contract, we returned to work, and after the strike was over, OSU decided that the “ratification” meant two different things in the same article of the contract based on what suited their interests, not on what is true, logical, or fair. We need to apply pressure to remind OSU that they can’t just take away our rights. We can’t rely on OSU to do the right thing, and the arbitration timeline is out of our hands. These workers needed their pay yesterday. See you on the picket line on June 5th, 12-2pm. ~CGE Executive Council CGE’s Annual Brew-Off is THIS SATURDAY June 7th at the Odd Fellows Hall! Theme is: CASINO NIGHT! Play blackjack, poker & roulette at our One Eyed Jacks 'casino', watch live music and sing karaoke at The Roadhouse Stage, and try out the home made brews at the Bang Bang Bar. Come dressed up in your best casino night attire (or as your favorite Twin Peaks character) - there will be an Instax photo-op! Your ticket includes a Brew Off pint glass, open bar, hot food, 1 Instax photo, and a $5 chip for use at the 'casino' All ticket proceeds will be donated to the Legal Support Fund for OSU Students Whose Visas Have Been Revoked (GoFundMe Link <https://www.gofundme.com/f/urgent-osu-students-visa-revoked-legal-funds-nee…>) & Oregon’s independent nonprofit immigration law firm - Immigration Counseling Services <https://www.ics-law.org/about> Casino Night game play: We will be 'gambling' for a good cause. Each Brew Off ticket is good for one game play at the 'casino.' However, you can buy in for more chips. Every $1 gets you $5 worth of chips. All proceeds from chip sales will go to the legal support fund and immigration counseling services. Submit your chip winnings to the cashier to receive a voucher that shows your donation 'winnings'. The link to buy tickets is live! Tickets are only $10! Buy your tickets here. <https://buytickets.at/coalitionofgraduateemployees/1673739> For Brewers: Brew Off competition: Any member can submit a brew (beer, cider, kombucha) for a chance at winning 1st, 2nd or 3rd place cash prizes ($150, $100, $50)! To submit a brew, please fill out this interest form! <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfv4RpfDwjZJSIITAezJPlXECU0zsmmybm…> Sign Making and No King’s Day Protest This Sunday June 8th 11am in Chintimini Park (605 NW 27th St) The Committee on Political Engagement (COPE) will be hosting an event to make signs for the: No King’s Day protest <https://indivisiblebc.org/urgent-no-kings-day/>, June 14th 12-4pm at the Benton County Courthouse (120 NW 4th St). In response to the increasingly authoritarian actions of our current presidential administration, this national protest is meant to bring attention away from Trump’s military parade on the same day, and bring attention towards the millions of people who are willing to stand together against abuses of power, cruelty and corruption. Join us for sign making and show up to the rally! State Legislature Update: Oregon Senate Bill 916 <https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/SB916> which would allow workers on strike to access unemployment benefits, will be going to the House Floor this Tuesday June 3rd. Please reach out to your state rep <https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/house/Pages/RepresentativesAll.aspx> (which for most people in Corvallis will be Rep.SarahFingerMcDonald(a)oregonlegislature.gov) here <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Gp_BgB6JRmdoACPW9gEg9P8XJQl_M2glUnIOQ_F…> is an email template you can start from. COMMITTEES AND CAUCUSES THAT NEED YOUR HELP: Join CGE’s Pride Caucus! CGE's Pride Caucus meets every other week at 4pm on Thursdays in the student lounge at WestM. Our next meeting is this week (June 5th). We are planning the third CGE pride, so please come help us out if you have ideas about how we should celebrate. The pride caucus is also a space to find community and discuss issues facing the LGBTQ community in Corvallis. All are welcome! Join CGE’ s Committee on Political Engagement! CGE COPE (Committee on Political Education Engagement, we voted to change the name) meetings are every Friday 1-2pm in the CGE office. Email vp_politics(a)cge6069.org for more information about how to get involved! Join CGE’s Finance Committee! Help set CGE’s budget for the next fiscal year by joining the Finance Committee! This is a great opportunity to have a say in how our union allocates funds and to gain experience with budgeting and financial planning. Meetings will start in April based on the group's availability —no prior experience needed, just an interest in keeping CGE financially strong. Email treasurer(a)cge6069.org to sign up! Contract Action Team (CAT) Meetings every Friday, 12-1pm, in Cordley 4329! We need more CATs! Our CATs do all of our on-the-ground work, including turnout to events, talking to members, planning actions, and so much more. You can commit as much or as little time as you have. If, since the strike, you have wanted to continue to be involved in organizing efforts, but don’t know where to start, come to a CAT meeting in Cordley 4329! Solidarity forever, Erika, VP for Communications

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Rally for Backpay on June 5th + Accessibility Feedback Wanted!!
by Erika Stewart 28 May '25

28 May '25

CGE Members and Community, Important Update: OSU owes graduate employees over $17,000! We are mobilizing for justice. Last month, we submitted a grievance on behalf of every graduate employee who was employed during Fall term (at the time of ratification) and did not receive back pay from the University. The university is arguing that GEs who were not in the bargaining unit on January 10, 2025 are not eligible, thereby excluding fall term graduates or people who switched to fellowship for winter term. There are between 65-124 GEs who are owed back pay and did not receive it, totalling a collective amount of at least $17,000 (very likely more). Our grievance, which argued that the university had no authority to exclude these employees, was denied on April 25. On Friday, May 9, the Executive Council voted to move this grievance to arbitration. This means that we will have a neutral third-party judge rule on the case after a formal hearing and presentation of evidence. It may take time before we reach a resolution. In the meantime, we need you to mobilize to stand up for your fellow workers! An injury to one grad worker is an injury to all—we need to defend our contract to the fullest extent to preserve our hard-won rights. OSU continues to show us they won’t do the right thing until we stand up together. We will be rallying and picketing on June 5th from 12-2 PM in front of the Kerr Administration Building. This could easily have happened to any single one of us, and things like this will continue to happen if we don’t fight back. Important context to keep in mind: During this last bargaining cycle, OSU introduced changes to our grievance article that would prevent us from taking grievances like this to arbitration. They did not win these changes, but they pursued them well into bargaining, sending a clear signal that OSU wants to strip our ability to move these grievances to a neutral arbitrator. They will continue to come for our rights, in and outside of the bargaining cycle. What’s the source of the disagreement? According to the LOA we ratified in December, “The parties agree to apply the compensation terms retroactively to September 16, 2024 so that those graduate employees whose Fall term 2024 employment started on or after September 16, 2024 and remain employed by OSU on ratification of the agreement, shall receive the applicable salary increase(s).” We concluded our ratification vote on December 10, 2024. On December 11, 2024, striking GEs returned to work, honoring the portion of the LOA which states “Upon ratification of this agreement, graduate employees will return to their previously assigned work and will not be obligated to work over their normal contractual hours.” The University claims that “ratification” did not occur until January 10, 2025. This was the date that the last member of the OSU bargaining team signed an electronic version of the CBA. We’ve consulted our attorney, scoured our notes, and dug deep into bargaining history: there is no merit to this argument. We ratified the contract, we returned to work, and after the strike was over, OSU decided that the “ratification” meant two different things in the same article of the contract based on what suited their interests, not on what is true, logical, or fair. We need to apply pressure to remind OSU that they can’t just take away our rights. We can’t rely on OSU to do the right thing, and the arbitration timeline is out of our hands. These workers needed their pay yesterday. See you on the picket line on June 5th. ~CGE Executive Council Accessibility Feedback Wanted! The joint Disability Justice and Mental Health Super Caucus will be meeting with the Executive Council (EC) on Friday May 30 from 9:10 AM to 9:50 AM to discuss ways of making CGE spaces and events, such as the upcoming rally, more accessible for everyone. If you have any ideas to share, you are welcome to come in person and join us for the conversation at Westminster House (EC meetings are open to all members!). Either way, please submit anonymous feedback ahead of time here <https://forms.gle/GBLiNTPWsVRqDRY2A> to help us organize and make the best use of our time at the meeting. Only members of the caucus will have access to the answers. Note, if you haven’t filled out the CGE Disability Justice Caucus Survey yet, it is still open! Take it here <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QxKDlHXml3XLU9P8AWLx0VBS7UwYtDDQ_DlbNha8QM…>! This survey is about more general accessibility throughout OSU, not just in CGE spaces, and potential action items for the caucus. Thank you for your thoughts! ~Joint Disability Justice and Mental Health Super Caucus CGE’s Annual Brew-Off is June 7th at the Odd Fellows Hall! Theme is: CASINO NIGHT! Play blackjack, poker & roulette at our One Eyed Jacks 'casino', watch live music and sing karaoke at The Roadhouse Stage, and try out the home made brews at the Bang Bang Bar. Come dressed up in your best casino night attire (or as your favorite Twin Peaks character) - there will be an Instax photo-op! Your ticket includes a Brew Off pint glass, open bar, hot food, 1 Instax photo, and a $5 chip for use at the 'casino' All ticket proceeds will be donated to the Legal Support Fund for OSU Students Whose Visas Have Been Revoked (GoFundMe Link <https://www.gofundme.com/f/urgent-osu-students-visa-revoked-legal-funds-nee…>) & Oregon’s independent nonprofit immigration law firm - Immigration Counseling Services <https://www.ics-law.org/about> Casino Night game play: We will be 'gambling' for a good cause. Each Brew Off ticket is good for one game play at the 'casino.' However, you can buy in for more chips. Every $1 gets you $5 worth of chips. All proceeds from chip sales will go to the legal support fund and immigration counseling services. Submit your chip winnings to the cashier to receive a voucher that shows your donation 'winnings'. The link to buy tickets is live! Tickets are only $10! Buy your tickets here. <https://buytickets.at/coalitionofgraduateemployees/1673739> For Brewers: Brew Off competition: Any member can submit a brew (beer, cider, kombucha) for a chance at winning 1st, 2nd or 3rd place cash prizes ($150, $100, $50)! To submit a brew, please fill out this interest form! <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfv4RpfDwjZJSIITAezJPlXECU0zsmmybm…> COMMITTEES AND CAUCUSES THAT NEED YOUR HELP: Join CGE’s Finance Committee! Help set CGE’s budget for the next fiscal year by joining the Finance Committee! This is a great opportunity to have a say in how our union allocates funds and to gain experience with budgeting and financial planning. Meetings will start in April based on the group's availability —no prior experience needed, just an interest in keeping CGE financially strong. Email treasurer(a)cge6069.org to sign up! Contract Action Team (CAT) Meetings every Friday, 12-1pm, in Cordley 4329! We need more CATs! Our CATs do all of our on-the-ground work, including turnout to events, talking to members, planning actions, and so much more. You can commit as much or as little time as you have. If, since the strike, you have wanted to continue to be involved in organizing efforts, but don’t know where to start, come to a CAT meeting in Cordley 4329! Solidarity forever, Erika, VP for Communications

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Campus Coalition TODAY and Mutual Aid Party TOMORROW!
by Erika Stewart 19 May '25

19 May '25

CGE Members and Community, First Campus Coalition Meeting TODAY! 6-7:30pm at WestM! TODAY at 6-7:30pm, we are hosting our first ever Campus Coalition Meeting at Westminster House! This meeting is to connect and organize with our fellow OSU unions, UAOSU (the faculty union), SEIU (our classified staff union), and OSUSW (our undergrad workers union)! We will be discussing how we can work together and leverage our different abilities as unions to push for a better OSU for all. If you are interested in meeting fellow campus organizers or building power across campus, come join us today at 6pm Grad Student Mutual Aid Party TOMORROW! 5-8pm at WestM! TOMORROW at 5-8pm, we are hosting a mutual aid party at Westminster House! This event includes tabling and discussion groups so grads can connect with fellow workers and find helpful resources, bike fixing and clothing mending stations, a Q&A with an immigration attorney, food boxes (bring tupperware!), arts and crafts, and dinner provided! Additionally, we will not be taking any attendance for this event, so there will be no official record of any grads participating. If you need any mutual aid support, or if you want to stay connected with resources in town so you can help others, we will see you there tomorrow! Remember to Vote! Special election ballots in Benton County are due tomorrow, Tuesday May 20th, by 8pm in a ballot drop box. These special elections are largely for school boards, with other local positions and some local levies considered. This election is important for our fellow union workers because for teachers in public schools, the school board is on the opposite side of contract negotiations. In Albany, teachers went on a strike last November, and they called for the entire school board to resign during contract negotiations ( https://www.albanyteachers.org/StrikeNews) Find your local ballot drop box here: https://re.bentoncountyor.gov/elections-ballot-drop-sites/ Last week the Steward Council voted for CGE to endorse Oregon Senate Bill 916 <https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/SB916> which would allow workers on strike to access unemployment benefits. The bill passed the senate, but it still needs help getting through the house. Please reach out to your state rep (which for most people in Corvallis will be Rep.SarahFingerMcDonald(a)oregonlegislature.gov) here <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Gp_BgB6JRmdoACPW9gEg9P8XJQl_M2glUnIOQ_F…> is an email template you can start from. CGE Committee on Political Education (COPE) meetings are every Friday 1-2pm in the CGE office. Email vp_politics(a)cge6069.org for more information about how to get involved. CGE’s Annual Brew-Off is June 7th at the Odd Fellows Hall! Theme is: CASINO NIGHT! Play blackjack, poker & roulette at our One Eyed Jacks 'casino', watch live music and sing karaoke at The Roadhouse Stage, and try out the home made brews at the Bang Bang Bar. Come dressed up in your best casino night attire (or as your favorite Twin Peaks character) - there will be an Instax photo-op! Your ticket includes a Brew Off pint glass, open bar, hot food, 1 Instax photo, and a $5 chip for use at the 'casino' All ticket proceeds will be donated to the Legal Support Fund for OSU Students Whose Visas Have Been Revoked (GoFundMe Link <https://www.gofundme.com/f/urgent-osu-students-visa-revoked-legal-funds-nee…>) & Oregon’s independent nonprofit immigration law firm - Immigration Counseling Services <https://www.ics-law.org/about> Casino Night game play: We will be 'gambling' for a good cause. Each Brew Off ticket is good for one game play at the 'casino.' However, you can buy in for more chips. Every $1 gets you $5 worth of chips. All proceeds from chip sales will go to the legal support fund and immigration counseling services. Submit your chip winnings to the cashier to receive a voucher that shows your donation 'winnings'. The link to buy tickets is live! Tickets are only $10! Buy your tickets here. <https://buytickets.at/coalitionofgraduateemployees/1673739> For Brewers: Brew Off competition: Any member can submit a brew (beer, cider, kombucha) for a chance at winning 1st, 2nd or 3rd place cash prizes ($150, $100, $50)! To submit a brew, please fill out this interest form! <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfv4RpfDwjZJSIITAezJPlXECU0zsmmybm…> COMMITTEES AND CAUCUSES THAT NEED YOUR HELP: Join CGE’s Finance Committee! Help set CGE’s budget for the next fiscal year by joining the Finance Committee! This is a great opportunity to have a say in how our union allocates funds and to gain experience with budgeting and financial planning. Meetings will start in April based on the group's availability —no prior experience needed, just an interest in keeping CGE financially strong. Email treasurer(a)cge6069.org to sign up! Contract Action Team (CAT) Meetings every Friday, 12-1pm, in Cordley 4329! We need more CATs! Our CATs do all of our on-the-ground work, including turnout to events, talking to members, planning actions, and so much more. You can commit as much or as little time as you have. If, since the strike, you have wanted to continue to be involved in organizing efforts, but don’t know where to start, come to a CAT meeting in Cordley 4329! Solidarity forever, Erika, VP for Communications

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