*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/1FAIpQLSc5jPAQI0Ft8iFSudl8AyfBvo8PexZxygZVpsscFjA1vbIzgg/viewform>) 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@cge6069.org <vp_bargaining@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.cge6069.org%2Fabout%2Fconstitution%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cfrazeese%40oregonstate.edu%7C37cbd9a28bda4fd77b6f08de8e7a3ed2%7Cce6d05e13c5e4d6287a84c4a2713c113%7C0%7C0%7C639104852915388031%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=pRtNJjOPUL9%2FGkT%2BaVEQ5qJym7aRHktXB76VjHQ2npE%3D&reserved=0> 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@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@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