Steward elections and board of trustees app closing today! And Fellows' Union cards submitted!
*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. - *Steward elections close 5 pm **tonight!* Members should check their emails for a link to vote for the stewards for their department. Stewards support workers in their department and make sure they are represented in CGE. - *Board of Trustees graduate seat applications close today too!* Do you want grad students to have a say in the financial governance of OSU? Link to apply <https://beav.es/pNK>. - *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>. - *PCC workers are still on strike!* Support PCC workers through spreading the word, signing letters of support ( here <https://pccfce.org/sign-our-solidarity-letter/?link_id=1&can_id=2e76289722f67ed96ffd24131bb35ec4&source=email-pcc-strike-begins-march-11&email_referrer=email_3135710&email_subject=pcc-unions-held-rally-march-saturday> and here <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-YV0CkGpiTXvgZRF2VThEdo56ulTYQ3fEws6vwsdqlF1rLA/viewform?link_id=3&can_id=2e76289722f67ed96ffd24131bb35ec4&source=email-pcc-strike-begins-march-11&email_referrer=email_3135710&email_subject=pcc-unions-held-rally-march-saturday>), joining them on the picket line, or donating food or to their strike fund (more info here <https://www.pccstrike.com/community-support>). Announcements - *Fellows' Union authorization cards submitted!* After months of hard work, the card check for formation of the Coalition of Graduate Fellows is done! The authorization cards, signed by 59% of fellows, were submitted this week to the Oregon Employment Relations Board (ERB). With the support of the majority of fellows, this is a strong step towards increasing workplace protections for fellows. In the coming months OSU will have to provide information to the ERB, and the ERB will assess whether Fellows' are workers with shared interests, which would make them eligible to form a union. We are confident ERB will find that is the case, just as they did when GRAs were included in CGE years ago. Keep an eye out for ways to support the campaign through the next steps of the process. Thank you to everyone who has helped us get here! *Upcoming Events* - *No Kings Protest, March 28th, starting at 12 at OSU then marching to the Benton County Courthouse* More information here <https://uucorvallis.org/help-with-the-no-kings-iii-protest-3-28/>. - *SEIU503 Local 83 Classified Staff at OSU, Bargaining Rally, 12:00-1:00 Tuesday, March 31 at the MU Quad* SEIU503 local 83 are the workers that keep operations running at OSU, from the administrative staff, food service workers, custodians, IT professionals, and many others. Come out to the rally, wear purple, and show support for these vital employees as they bargain for a fair contract! You can sign up for the rally and learn more here <https://www.local083.org/events/2026-03-31-Rally-at-OSU.html>. *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. *Disability Justice and Mental Health Super Caucus*: Wednesday 2-3pm on zoom. Reach out to vp_membership@cge6069.org for the zoom link. *Grievance Committee: *A great opportunity for people to learn more about the contract and how we defend it. Meets Fridays at 4pm. Email vp_grievances@cge6069.org for more information. *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. *Environmental Justice Caucus:* Every other Monday 1pm at the Biere Library. Reach out to vp_politics@cge6069.org. Happy Spring Break everyone! 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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Serena Frazee