UR Grad Labor Union Strike and Hardship Fund
Donation protected
On April 21, 2025, graduate workers at the University of Rochester are going on strike.
Graduate workers teach, mentor, and conduct essential research in full time capacities. Yet some of us earn as little as $15,000 a year and have working conditions devoid of dignity and respect. Despite our critical role as workers, the UofR’s administration backed out of a finalized election agreement which would allow us a pathway to form our union, and cut off communication with the Graduate Labor Union (GLU).
The University is denying over 1,500 graduate workers of our right to a fair union election.
We ask our community to contribute to a strike and hardship fund to help striking graduate workers cover rent, food, transportation, and potential legal support if the University withholds pay.
The administration has already affirmed their ability to do so in their Strike FAQ:
- “Consistent with Federal law, universities are not required to pay graduate students who are on strike. Thus, if a graduate student strikes, their university may withhold pay.”
This GoFundMe is one of several ways we’re raising funds to support striking graduate workers. We’re working with local unions, and meeting with community members and organizations who are contributing through other channels.
You can find other ways to support and learn more about our story by following our social media accounts or visitng our website.
Fiscal Sponsor:
Our strike fund is being fiscally sponsored by Metro Justice, a long-standing community organization in Rochester committed to labor and social justice. 10% of all donations will go toward compensating their staff for bookkeeping and administrative labor.
Thank you for standing with us as we fight for our rights!
-The Graduate Labor Union/Graduate Workers at the University of Rochester
Organizer
Katherine Gregory
Organizer
Rochester, NY