Rally against student debt TODAY

UCATS has endorsed 1 T Day, an event to raise awareness about the staggering levels of student debt in this country. From their website:

On April 25th, the total amount of student loan debt in the U.S. is due to top 1 trillion dollars. This marks a momentous victory for Wall Street—much to the despair of student loan debtors across the country. On this date, the profiteers on Wall Street will be popping champagne bottles, eating caviar, and sneering at the debt-burdened students and graduates who lug around this 1 trillion dollar ball and chain.

Occupy Student Debt Campaign is hosting a party of its own. Throughout the country we will be taking direct action to raise awareness about this crisis as part of a new movement to make education a right.

...[J]oin us at 4PM in Union Square, where Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir will preside over a debt jubilee - an emancipatory student loan debt write-off for all! ... Then, let's march to Wall Street banks and watering holes to spread the news about student debt and drink up the joys of our new-found freedom.

You can find more info at the 1 T Day website.

1 T DAY RALLY
TODAY
Wednesday, April 25
UNION SQUARE
4:00 PM start, march to follow

Rally Against NYU 2031 this Friday

We received late word about a rally this Friday, April 20, in opposition to NYU's 2031 expansion plan.

The march begins at 4:00 at the dog run at the corner of Houston &
Mercer Streets, winds through the Village, and ends at Garibaldi Plaza, just
east of the fountain in Washington Square Park. Since this event starts during the work day, we encourage you to join the rally at Garibaldi Plaza once your shift is over.

You can view a flier for this event here.

RALLY AGAINST NYU 2031
Friday, April 20
4:00 start
Washington Square Park, Garibaldi Plaza

Schedule for first year wage increases

The implementation schedule for the 1% wage increase in the first year of the new contract is as follows:

· March 9: 1% increase to salary in paycheck for all bargaining unit members with the exception of 34 employees that have special compensation issues (i.e., promotions, leaves of absences, longevity increases, etc.)

· April 6: 1% increase to salary in paycheck for the 34 exceptions

· April 19: Retroactive payments of the 1% increase effective 9/4/2011

Those members who are among the 34 exceptions have been notified by NYU.

UCATS Membership Meeting March 13

UCATS Membership Meeting
When: Tuesday, March 13, 5:30 pm
Where: Vanderbilt Hall, 40 Washington Square South, Rm. 216

We are meeting primarily to elect our delegates to the 2012 American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Convention. This event is where elected delegates from affiliated union locals set the agenda of our national federation.

This year, the convention will be held in Detroit, MI from July 27-30 (Thursday-Monday). All UCATS members are entitled to run for a delegate position and to make nominations of other members to be delegates. UCATS is allotted a total of 12 delegates.

The election will be conducted by secret ballot at the meeting. If you have questions about being a delegate, please contact UCATS president Stephen Rechner at ucatspres3882@hotmail.com.

UCATS Contract Ratified!

We are pleased to report that our contract has been ratified by a vote of 454 to 102.

Thanks to all of you who voted, attended meetings, marched in rallies, spoke out, signed letters and petitions, and shared your thoughts and ideas throughout this process.