Greetings,

[See below for next week's events: Film Night and Free Yoga!]

Thanks to a strong union, TAs and GAs at Rutgers have a pretty sweet deal: competitive pay, health care, workload protections and more. But all too often I meet a grad student who tells me, "I'm not really a TA"--followed by a description of the most exploitative arrangement that a department can get desperate students to swallow. Recently, graduate students told me they are working for $7500/year (still paying full student fees!), only on student health coverage, and working up to 30 hours/week or more!

That's outrageous! But these jobs are NOT protected by our contract... but it's time we do something about it! There are a variety of options available to a strong union looking to see justice done--but first we need your help! We need to know where and how this happens so we can get a complete picture of the problem, and we can't rely on the University to give us all the information we need.

Do you know anyone in a similar situation? Ask your friends. Let us know. And let them know that the union is on their side. Together we are stronger!

In unity,

Elric Kline
Chair, TA/GA Steering Committee
taga@gsa.rutgers.edu


Events Next Week

Film Night & Discussion: On Monday, October 19, we will screen the clever documentary "The Motherhood Manifesto" at the Graduate Student Lounge at 7pm. The film is about 60 minutes long, and discussion will follow. For more information, see our Facebook Event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=151428579406&index=1. You can also read more about the film here: http://www.momsrising.org/film.

Free Yoga! We had a great turnout last time, and we're hoping to see you again! Space is limited, so if you want to come you MUST RSVP to taga@gsa.rutgers.edu. Please indicate whether you will need to borrow a mat. On Tuesday, October 20, yoga will run from 7:30-8:45pm in the Graduate Student Lounge. For more information, visit our Facebook Event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=152923099598&index=1.