Each year the University of Cincinnati chapter holds a Solidarity Lunch to which it invites not only its own members but also the members of all of the other unions that represent university employees.
At my own university, only the maintenance workers are also unionized, but I think that this sort of “solidarity” event is such a good idea that I am going to try to organize a similar event to which we will invite other labor unions in our region.
One could give the event a somewhat different focus by inviting other progressive groups in one’s region.
In any case, Greg Loving, the UC chapter president graciously sent me the following photos from the chapter’s Solidarity Lunch, held in December:
This is a great thing to do and it might develop into something even more important, a Campus Labor Coalition of all unions on the campus. Some have 10 or more, counting the building trades and Teamsters. At U of IL, where I was a member of it and worked with it as a labor educator, the CLC was crucial in a successful strike by grad union and the successful settlement of another union on the eve of a planned strike. It also helped to lead to an effort to organize faculty (partly successful). The regular meetings (monthly) have really built solidarity and have led to some actions that link the rank and file together more too. I consider this one of the best things I have done in my entire career as a labor educator (to have helped and advised them and run classes for many of these locals.)
Joe Berry
Reblogged this on Ohio Higher Ed.
Greg Loving, who came out of the Adjunct Faculty Association organizing effort at the University of Cincinnati, neglected to reach out to the adjunct organizing effort for this “solidarity” event. Greg you can do better!!