The Purdue chapter of the American Association of University Professors stands in solidarity with the graduate workers on strike at Indiana University (IGWC-UE) and the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC GEO). We support all graduate workers in their struggle to secure a living wage and safe working conditions. Graduate students make the educational mission of higher education possible with their significant contributions to research and teaching. We challenge the administration at IU to recognize the overwhelming support for a graduate student union, and for the administration at UIC to meet the demands of graduate students working without a contract for the entirety of this academic year. AAUP Purdue acknowledges the high value of graduate student labor and supports graduate students’ right to organize for improved working conditions without fear of retaliation.
We urge the Purdue University administration to take note of the graduate student organizing at nearby schools, and act proactively to increase the minimum graduate student annual salary to $31,200, representing a living wage of $15/hr.
Chapter statement. Passed by 50% of the chapter on May 2, 2022