Johns Hopkins grad student-workers picket as contract negotiations stall

One year ago, graduate student-workers at Johns Hopkins University overwhelmingly voted to unionize under the banner of Teachers and Researchers United (TRU-UE), which is affiliated with United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers. While workers had much to celebrate with their historic union election victory, bargaining a first contract with the university administration has been another story. On February 20, fed up with what workers say have been disrespectful and insufficient offers from the university administration, TRU-UE members held practice pickets on campus to show the administration what's in store if more progress is not made at the bargaining table soon. In this on-the-ground episode, we take you straight to the picket line to hear from worker-organizers about what they're fighting for and what they're asking supporters to do to help.

Speakers include: Janvi Madhani, TRU Bargaining Committee member pursuing a PhD in Physics and Astronomy; Lyla Atta, TRU organizer and MD-PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering; Jeffrey Davis, Bargaining Committee member and grad worker studying Physics and Astronomy; Emily Hoppe, Contract Action Team Organizer, School of Nursing; and Zeke Cohen, Johns Hopkins alumnus and City Councilman for Baltimore City's First District.

Additional links/info below…

• Teachers and Researchers United (TRU-UE) website, Facebook page, Twitter/Xpage, and Instagram
• Maximillian Alvarez, The Real News Network, "Now or never: Grad Student-Workers at Johns Hopkins Mobilize Ahead of Union Election"
• Maximillian Alvarez, The Real News Network, "These Workers Are Making Baltimore a Union Town Again"
• Maximillian Alvarez, The Real News Network, "Johns Hopkins University Graduate Students Are Organizing for a Living Wage"
• Ryan Quinn, Inside Higher Ed, "Johns Hopkins Grad Students Successfully Unionize"

Permanent links below...

• Leave us a voicemail and we might play it on the show!
• Labor Radio / Podcast Network website, Facebook page, and Twitter page
• In These Times website, Facebook page, and Twitter page
• The Real News Network website, YouTube channel, podcast feeds, Facebookpage, and Twitter page

Featured Music...

• Jules Taylor, "Working People" Theme Song
• Jules Taylor, "John L. Handcox Remix"

Studio Production: Maximillian Alvarez
Post-Production: Jules Taylor

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