BULLETIN

Brown University Undergraduate Teaching Assistants Are Unionizing

“The undergraduate teaching assistants in the Department of Computer Science at Brown University have announced their decision to file for unionization with the National Labor Relations Board and are seeking voluntary recognition from Brown.

‘Over 65% of all TAs have signed union authorization cards, giving us a supermajority of support,’ said Colton Rusch, an organizer with the group and a 7-semester TA. ‘Given the overwhelming support from TAs, we expect Brown to voluntarily recognize our right to organize and negotiate as workers. We call on them not to engage in any anti-union action.’

The UTAs will be forming the Teaching Assistant Labor Organization (TALO) as a part of Brown’s Graduate Labor Organization (GLO) to improve working conditions and hold their employers accountable. The TAs are seeking higher wages, better working conditions, and a more inclusive and equitable workplace.

‘CS TAs at Brown are systematically exploited and underpaid,’ said Harshini Venkatachalam, another organizer, a 6-semester TA. ‘While there are stated limits on TA working hours, a majority of the TAs we’ve surveyed report frequently working overtime. A majority also report having logged fewer hours than they’ve worked, often for fear of retaliation. Many TAs play the role of professors: writing handouts, rubrics, and lecture slides, and in some cases giving entire lectures. And we’re still paid less than TAs in many peer institutions such as Harvard and Yale.’

For more information, contact the TALO organizing committee at talabororg@gmail.com or follow them on Instagram @talabororg.”

RISD and Brown University Alumni, Current Students, and Providence Community Members demand a fair contract for essential workers of Teamsters Local 251

“Brown/RISD alum are working with a local teamsters union that represents RISD groundskeepers, movers, and custodians. They authorized a strike with 95% in favor last Friday after the RISD admin refused to meet their basic demands of health benefits, equitable wages, and a strong retirement package. These essential workers do so much to keep our campuses clean and safe and are joining the masses of academic workers all across the country—from the UC students to adjuncts to all workers on campus—in fighting to make the university a better institution of higher learning.

You can add your name to the open letter calling on RISD to meet these workers’ demands here: tinyurl.com/fair-labor-contract.”

Upcoming Actions & Community Events

Saturday 12/10 @ 2-4PM: Party for Socialism and Liberation Public Reading

Join Rhode Island’s chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) for a public reading from Transgender Warriors by Leslie Feinberg. The discussion will address why a united working class movement is necessary to push back against anti-trans hate. Reading materials will be provided, food will be provided, and when indoors, masks are required. Location: Knight Memorial Library, 275 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI 02907

Monday 12/12 @ 6:30PM: Rhode Island Create Homes Act

Reclaim RI, a progressive advocacy group, will be hosting their second meeting in a series of two Create Homes Act teach-ins. The Create Homes Act, introduced by Senator Meghan Kallman, would make Rhode Island the first state in the nation to have a state-level public housing developer. Location: Virtual, Zoom link: tinyurl.com/CreateHomesAct -zoomlink

Tuesday 12/13 @ 6:15-7:30PM: Brown Student Labor Alliance Kickoff Meeting

The recently started Brown Student Labor Alliance is a collective dedicated to building and supporting worker power on campus. The coalition will be hosting their first meeting next Tuesday which will be a strategy session and include guest speaker Nick Wurst who is a member of Railroad Workers United. Location: Kassar House Foxboro Auditorium, 151 Thayer Street, Providence, RI 02912

Saturday 12/17 @ 7-10PM: International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

COYOTE RI (Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics Rhode Island), a non-profit organization advocating for policies that promote the health and safety of people involved in the sex industry, is hosting a virtual memorial and awareness event about violence against sex workers. Location: Virtual, Zoom link: tinyurl.com/COYOTE-zoomlink

Tuesday 1/3: Day One of Advocating for Equality in Abortion Coverage Act’s Passage

The Womxn Project is a statewide organization aimed at embodying the principles of reproductive justice, cultivating innovation, and advancing real and lasting change. Join them in supporting the passage of the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act (EACA). The Womxn Project is pledging to show up on January 3 and every session day (Tuesdays/ Wednesdays/Thursdays) in great numbers until the EACA is enacted! Fill out this form if you are interested and want to receive more information: tinyurl.com/womxnproject-passeaca. Location: Rhode Island State House, 82 Smith St, Providence, RI 02903

Arts

Saturday 12/10 @ 8-11PM: Poetic Artist Experiences

The Poetic Circle Movement presents this end-of-the-year poetry event to showcase the variety of talent and skill from over four states. In addition to poets, singers, dancers, artists, and crafters are also welcome to present and be a vendor. Come attend this community event to support small artists and creators in growing their platforms! General admission tickets sell for $18 and can be bought here: tinyurl.com/ poetic-artist-experiences. Location: 225 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860

Sunday 12/18 @ 10AM-3PM: Homo for the Holigay

Small Format, a queer-cooperatively run open-air gallery, and exhibition room is hosting their 3rd annual market to support all creators, but especially in queer communities. Small Format is also looking for makers or artists selling handmade and/or original work! If you are interested in applying to be a vendor at this market, apply at this link: tinyurl.com/ homofortheholigay-vendor. Applications are due by December 7th by 10PM. Location: 335 Wickenden St, Providence, RI 02903

Mutual Aid* & Community Fundraisers

*Mutual aid is “survival pending on revolution,” as described by the Black Panthers. Join in redistributing wealth to create an ecosystem of care in response to a system of institutions that have failed or harmed our communities.

+ Support RI Family

Donate at tinyurl.com/help-ri-family

Support a family that is part of the Pioneer Tenants Union, a group that stood up to a slumlord’s derelict living spaces. Donate to help this young family pay their legal bills and find a new place to live.

+ Donations needed for a Housing Activist

Donate at tinyurl.com/donate-2-hope

Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere (HOPE) at Brown is organizing this GoFundMe for a fellow housing activist. This friend of HOPE’s is facing eviction, recently lost his job, and had to pay for eye surgery. Donate to help him out of this dire situation.

+ Black and Pink Providence’s Fundraiser for Tunji

Donate at tinyurl.com/help-tunji

Black and Pink Providence, a nonprofit organization working toward prison abolition, is raising money through a GoFundMe for Tunji. Tunji is formerly incarcerated and recently lost his job.

Do you have an event, action, or other information for the Providence community that you’d like to see shared on this page? Email us at indybulletinboard@gmail.com!