GEO sends letter of support to striking student and labor organizations

In response to harsh administrative cutbacks, students at the University of Puerto Rico system have occupied their campuses for almost a month, making it the longest campus action of its kind in Puerto Rico’s history.  The university changes echo the austerity measures taken by the Puerto Rican government that have unjustly targeted the working class and sparked resistance from labor and student groups over the past year.

Many student and labor organizations have sent letters of support student and labor groups at the UPR, including the UMass-GEO Steering Committee.  We will also be collecting donations if you are interested in aiding the strike fund.

To : University of Puerto Rico Consejo de Estudiantes, The Asociación Puertorriqueña de Profesores Universitarios, La Hermandad de Empleados Exentos No Docentes

The Graduate Employee Organization at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, UAW 2322, offers its support and expresses its deep admiration for the struggle you are waging to protect public higher education.

We stand in solidarity with the students, workers, and allies and all the people of Puerto Rico, fighting for the future of their Commonwealth and the right to an education.

We stand with you in fighting to:

1. Repeal Certification 98 of the UPR Board of Trustees, which eliminates tuition exemptions, affecting thousands of students.

2. Stop budget cuts immediately. The administration must open its financial records to public scrutiny and begin an informed dialogue about new ideas that will not affect student services.

3. Stop summer term tuition hikes, and provide a diverse course offering available to all students.

We offer what modest support we can and pledge to do our part here in Massachusetts against the assaults on public higher education. Your leadership continues to inspire all of us. We look forward to your victory.

In solidarity,

GEO/UAW Members – Steering Committee

University of Massachusetts, Amherst