*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 a 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. - *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>! - *Today (10/31) is the last day of the Cigna enrollment period**: *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-individual-and-family-plans.pdf>), and for out-of-network providers transitioning to in-network. - *Cigna registration**: *Reminder that 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 issues with registration please bring this to the attention of Grad Health at 541-737-7568 or gradhealth@oregonstate.edu, they should be able to help. - *Bargaining Committee (meets Mondays 2-4pm @WestM):* *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@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 impact bargaining: impacts identified, are we missing yours? Impact bargaining over the change in our health insurance has started. As a reminder, this is a process that allows us to negotiate with OSU admin over addressing the impacts of this transition on grads. So far, about 90 impacts have been reported and the bargaining team is drafting proposals based on these. In order to reflect grads' needs, it's crucial that the bargaining team has accurate and thorough information. If you've run into health care issues, please share them with healthcare@cge6069.org, even if you know similar impacts have already been reported. - Missed salaries grievance This term there were several grads who missed paychecks due to late appointment letters. According to our contract grads are supposed to receive their Appointment Letters at least 30 days before they start work. The loss of salary in these cases is especially concerning and we have filed a grievance regarding this issue. If you have missed a paycheck due to a late Appointment Letter please contact vp_grievances@cge6069.org. Upcoming Events - Strike Anniversary: Solidarity Breakfast, Wednesday 11/12, 8:30-10:30am at WestM Last year, we took the historic step of going on strike in response to stagnation in bargaining. This was a time when hundreds of workers came together, and made a sacrifice in order to support each other. One year on, we want to come together again—this time for a celebration of everyone's hard work and willingness to stand together for a fair contract. Feel free to come and go as you please and enjoy breakfast and activities! *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. *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. *Contract Action Team (CAT): *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! Meeting October 27th at 4pm in Cordley 4329. *Disability Justice and Mental Health Super Caucus: *This new super caucus is working on writing its charter. Open to all graduate students, regardless of current CGE membership status. Fridays, 11am on Zoom, reach out to vp_membership@cge6069.org. *Environmental Justice Caucus: *The CGE Environmental Justice Caucus works with the university and Corvallis communities to address the causes and consequences of the climate crisis and environmental destruction through equitable and just solutions. *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 10am. Email vp_politics@cge6069.org for more information. *Finance Committee: *This committee works on the CGE budget*. *If you're interested in where your dues go and having a say in the finances of CGE please come! Meeting 11/12 (will have donuts!), and reach out to treasurer@cge6069.org. *Grievance Committee: *A great opportunity for people to learn more about the contract and how we defend it. Meets Thursdays 2pm. Email vp_grievances@cge6069.org for more information. *Pride Caucus:* Place for community, support, and action to safeguard the rights and affirm the identities of people who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community at Oregon State University. Meeting Fridays, 3pm. In solidarity, Serena Frazee (she/her) VP for Communications, Coalition of Graduate Employees, AFT Local 6069 PhD Student in Integrative Biology, Oregon State University