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A wet, unseasonably chilly day was the perfect setting for tens of thousands of scientists and science enthusiasts to march from the Washington monument to the foot of Capitol Hill.  The raucous marchers chanted and throngs of on-lookers cheered as they passed.  With generous funding from AFT-Oregon I was able to represent United Academics and AFT-OR in Washington for this amazing display of solidarity. Check the photos and videos below for the scope of the event in DC, and thanks to all who marched in Eugene, Portland and other locations around the world. IMG_1413

May Day is celebrated around the world as labor day. Originally in recognition of the US. labor leaders executed by the state of Illinois after the Haymarket Square bombing in 1886, May Day has enjoyed a renewed relevance in the U.S. in recent decades as immigrants from Latin America have used the day to demand immigration reform and assert their dignity and rights as workers. This year we have multiple options if you would like to get out in the streets and celebrate alongside your fellow workers. In Salem CAUSA, the Oregon immigrants’ rights advocacy organization, has a rally at…

United Academics, as an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), enjoys a voice in the deliberations within our national union. AFT-Oregon’s Executive Council and annual conventions are the primary vehicles for this engagement. I am delighted to report that our five elected UA delegates actively participated in this important exercise of union democracy. Last weekend, we joined with AFT-affiliated unions from across the state (including our local cousins at the GTFF) to shuffle through 2+ days of business and decision-making. Dozens of resolutions, elections, and internal policy changes moved our union in fresh and positive directions. I must…

We urge you to join United Academics at the March for Science in Eugene this Saturday, April 22 (Earth Day)… and bring your family, friends, and colleagues.  Look for the United Academics banner and come march with us! Location: University of Oregon Memorial Quad Day and Time: Saturday April 22nd, Noon, march at 1. What’s Happening: Local DJ Shawn Kahl and singer Halie Loren join our speakers- Sarah Chylek, science teacher at North Eugene High School, Professor (and United Academics Representative) Jeffrey Cina from the University of Oregon, Professor Paul Ruscher, Dean of Science from Lane Community College and Representative…

The only two certainties in Oregon life are death and PERS “reform”.  This year’s legislative session is no exception, with two Senate bills still in play, and due for a work session on April 17th.  Although at this point these particular bills seem to be headed for failure, State employees shouldn’t be complacent – as the legislative session winds down to a close over the next couple of months, lots of horse-trading will take place to get a budget adopted, and throwing pensioners under the bus is always a good way to attract Republican support for whatever deal you want…

In his Open Mike message on April 12, President Schill attempted to express his appreciation for the non-tenure-track faculty at UO. His message followed on the heels of an unfortunate statement about NTTF in the Daily Emerald earlier in the week. Unfortunately, in both statements he revealed that he does not fully understand what NTTF do on our campus, how long they have worked here, how hard they work, and how essential they are to the research and instructional mission of the university. Naturally, many of our members are demoralized and frustrated by both of his statements. United Academics is likewise upset with…