GSEU Rally for Fair Contract Now!

The rally on Wed, Feb 26th, was an incredible moment for our community. UB graduate workers, undergraduate students, faculty, and staff stood united, alongside community members from UAPD, UUP, CSEA, NYSUT, and WNYCOSH. The smiling faces and uplifting energy of participants was proof that our community is one of joyous rebellion, that standing up for and alongside each other is what being in community is all about. The solidarity sent a strong message: we—graduate workers at UB, Buffalo State College, SUNY Brockport, SUNY Fredonia, SUNY Geneseo, and all the other SUNY campuses—are not backing down until we win the fair contract we deserve.
Check out the fresh coverage from WBFO NPR!

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Watch how we delivered the petition on Instagram→, or click the image above↑

More than 70 graduate workers rallied in front of Capen Hall at UB. The rally began with speeches from current and former UB GSEU organizers and business agents, highlighting the ongoing struggles graduate workers—especially international students—face: poverty-level stipends, inadequate health and safety protections, insufficient support for international students, and so much more. We talked about GSEU’s continuous fight to improve our living and working conditions, while facing resistance from UB & SUNY administrators and the bad-faith bargaining by NY State Labor Relations.

​We marched and chanted until the unveiling of our 93-page petition. Together, we held our 2,153-signature petition—taped into an 85-foot-long, red-dragon-like display—and formed a circle where we collectively decided to deliver it to President Tripathi in Capen Hall, for the second time. ​The first time we delivered it was on Feb 5th.  ONCE AGAIN, his chief of staff, Beth Del Genio, addressed us instead.

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Meanwhile in Albany, over 200 graduate workers and allies rallied in front of the NY state capitol. They fought to pass Bill S.3458/A.5457 to end unfair student fees and demand a fair contract! Our bargaining petition was delivered to Governor Kathy Hochul.

This rally marks a major step forward in our fight for better wages, improved working conditions, and the respect that all graduate workers deserve. We deeply appreciate everyone who attended, spread the word, and supported us in person and from afar. Special thanks to our allied unions:

• Union of American Physicians & Dentists (UAPD at UB)
• United University Professions (UUP at UB)
• Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA at UB)
• New York State United Teachers (NYSUT)
• Western New York Council on Occupational Safety and Health (WNYCOSH)

We would love to hear testimonials from anyone who attended yesterday—send us your feedback and stories!

This is just the beginning. Today, Feb 28th, 2025, marks 608 days that TAs and GAs have been working without a contract. “No Contract, No Peace” is not just a chant; it is our reality until our demands are met. Our next bargaining session is next Wed, Mar 5th.
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Let’s keep the pressure on, together. Stay tuned, and sign up for your union membership now!