On Nov. 16, the graduate students of the University of Illinois went on strike over continued financial debates with the University’s administration, and then suspended their strike the following day. The University was forced to cancel “several hundred” classes on Monday, with 1,000 GEO members picketing the University over the issue of tuition waivers.
 
At 8 a.m. Monday morning the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO) union—representing about 2,700 students—officially began their strike when promises made during last weekend’s contract negotiations failed to ensure tuition waivers for the University’s graduate students.

The University has since affirmed that they will continue to make tuition waivers available to graduate students and teaching assistants. They also agreed to increase subsidies to student health insurance fees.

The Daily Illini reported, “In a University press release, Interim Provost and Chancellor Robert Easter said the contract agreement is a best-case scenario in light of the University’s budget situation.”

Rich Potter, member of the GEO strike committee, said that the union expects a ratification vote of the new contract before Saturday.


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