This is an archive of emails sent to sgwu-announce, a mailing list for all grad workers at Stanford.

2025-09-25: GMM + Town Hall TODAY with Zareen's

General Membership Meeting and Town Hall TODAY tackling erosion of the five-year funding guarantee, Cardinal Care changes and mail disruptions in EVGR.


Dear Graduate Workers,

A reminder that our first General Membership Meeting (GMM) and Town Hall of the year are today at 5pm and 6pm in EVGR C 134 Theater. You must be a member in good standing to attend the GMM (see below), but the town hall is open to all students.

We’ll meet our new UE national officers, swear in new stewards to help defend our contract, and go over the election timeline for the next generation of union leadership. At the town hall, we’ll discuss + strategize on critical issues affecting graduate workers at Stanford, such as Stanford’s erosion of the 5-year funding commitment, issues with the new Cardinal Care, and getting LBRE to meet with grad workers on mail disruptions in EVGR.

Please RSVP here for the Zoom link and to make sure we get enough food from Zareen’s!

In Solidarity,
SGWU

Am I a member in good standing?

Returning PhD students : You have signed a membership card and you are in good standing with respect to dues. If you are partially or fully funded by a fellowship, you must be up to date on voluntary dues.

Returning Master’s students : You have signed a membership card, you held a bargaining unit position in the past year, and you are in good standing with respect to dues.

New PhD students : You have signed a membership card. Since appointments have not started yet, you do not have any dues obligations yet.

New Master’s students : You have signed a membership card. You will hold either an appointment or a fellowship for fall quarter. Since appointments have not started yet, you do not have any dues obligations yet.



2025-09-24: GMM + Town Hall 9/25 with Zareen’s

Reminder about General Membership Meeting and Town Hall. Discuss erosion of the five-year funding guarantee, Cardinal Care changes and mail disruptions in EVGR.


TL;DR:

  • Come to our next GMM (members only - 5pm) and Town Hall (open to everyone - 6pm) on Thursday 9/25 in EVGR C 134 Theater.

  • Please RSVP for Zareen’s!

  • On the agenda: fighting Stanford’s erosion of the 5-year funding commitment, getting Stanford to stop ignoring issues with Cardinal Care, and getting LBRE to meet with grad workers on mail disruptions in EVGR.

—————

Dear Graduate Workers,

Join us at our first General Membership Meeting (GMM) and Town Hall of the year, where we’ll discuss + strategize on critical issues affecting graduate workers at Stanford. Please RSVP here for the Zoom link and to make sure we get enough food from Zareen’s!

General Membership Meeting (open to members in good standing - see below)

📅 When: Thursday, September 25 at 5pm

📍 Where: EVGR C 134 Theater

✊ Agenda:

  • Recap on the UE National Convention and things we’ve learned from sibling unions across the country

  • Grievances we’ve already won and ones we’re still fighting

  • Meeting our newly elected national officers Kim Lawson and Scott Slawson

  • Nominating + electing stewards to defend our working conditions on the ground

Town Hall (open to all students)

📅 When: Thursday, September 25 at 6pm

📍 Where: EVGR C 134 Theater

✊ Agenda:

  • Fighting Stanford’s erosion of the 5-year funding commitment

  • Getting Stanford to stop ignoring issues with Cardinal Care

  • Getting LBRE to meet with grad workers on mail disruptions in EVGR

In Solidarity,

SGWU

Am I a member in good standing?

  • Returning PhD students: You have signed a membership card and you are in good standing with respect to dues. If you are partially or fully funded by a fellowship, you must be up to date on voluntary dues.

  • Returning Master’s students: You have signed a membership card, you held a bargaining unit position in the past year, and you are in good standing with respect to dues.

  • New PhD students: You have signed a membership card. Since appointments have not started yet, you do not have any dues obligations yet.

  • New Master’s students: You have signed a membership card. You will hold either an appointment or a fellowship for fall quarter. Since appointments have not started yet, you do not have any dues obligations yet.

Your issues: 5 Year Funding

Stanford pledged to fund PhD grad workers for five years of their degree. They re-affirmed this promise in the side letter to the contract SGWU and Stanford signed last November. However, in grievance meetings across departments and schools, the Union has seen Stanford steadily trying to erode what they argue the five year funding guarantee covers – rendering what was supposed to be a guarantee of workers security to finish their degree into a nearly worthless platitude.

As we come up on the one year anniversary of our contract in November, we need to make sure Stanford remembers what they promised. Especially in the current funding climate, grad workers deserve the peace of mind that they won’t be dropped from their degree program by arbitrary funding cuts. We will be discussing at the town hall the organizing plans for the fall, to show Stanford that Stanford works because we do.

Your issues: Health insurance

This year, Stanford switched health insurance providers to Blue Shield of California, managed by Wellfleet. Are you having trouble with referrals, getting providers to accept your insurance, or anything else? Come discuss your experiences and join the SGWU Slack to discuss with grad workers across campus.

We requested a town hall with Stanford to address your healthcare concerns, but they ignored us. GLO will be hosting a Zoom webinar on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 12:30 on Cardinal Care Insurance, but many of us have outstanding questions on coverage and continuation of care. We need your help to plan organizing efforts! Our union’s power comes from your collective participation.

Your issues: mail and package delivery disruptions in EVGR; Mail fee

We have collected over 60 reports of package delivery disruptions since launching our reporting form on Sep. 10. Using this data, we requested a town hall with LBRE, the administrative department responsible for the Stanford Warehouse and the Graduate Package Center, where packages have been getting frequently rejected and/or delayed.. However, LBRE refused to meet with graduate workers.

We need your help to plan ways to stop the disruption, reverse the mail fee, and hold Stanford accountable. All ideas are welcome at the Organizing Town Hall.

Here’s what you can do right now.

  • Keep reporting any mail and package issues using our reporting form. This form automatically emails LBRE and Student Affairs – they can’t claim to be ignorant of the problems they’ve caused.

  • Report package issues to the carrier.

    • USPIS takes any hindrance to USPS deliveries very seriously. It is your right to receive timely mail delivery.

    • UPS and Amazon are troubled by the mail policy. We need to make it clear Stanford LBRE is the culprit for customer dissatisfaction and lost revenue.

  • Join the #evgr-mail slack channel for latest updates on the issue

  • Send a tip to the Stanford Daily. You can remain anonymous!

  • Join the mail fee committee on the SGWU Slack.

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS – get events, academic deadlines and other info on your calendar here.

What? When? Where?
General Membership Meeting - Open to Members in Good Standing Sep. 25, 5 PM EVGR C 134
Dinner and Organizing Town Hall - Open to All Grads Sep. 25, 6 PM EVGR C 134


2025-09-21: General Membership Meeting + Dinner + Town Hall Sep. 25

General Membership Meeting and Town Hall tackling erosion of the five-year funding guarantee, Cardinal Care changes and mail disruptions in EVGR.


TL;DR:

  • We have seen erosion to the five year funding commitment across the University. Stanford has ignored us about meeting to discuss changes to Cardinal Care. LBRE, the department responsible for recent mail disruptions in EVGR, refused to meet with grad workers.

  • We’re holding an Organizing Town Hall and need you to brainstorm ways to tackle these fights.

  • Next General Membership Meeting, Sep. 25, 2025 at 5 PM – open to SGWU members.

  • Free dinner and Organizing Town Hall Sep. 25 6 PM – open to all grad workers! Please RSVP for food!

—————

Dear Graduate Workers,

Our next General Membership Meeting (GMM) will be on Sep. 25, 2025 in EVGR C 134. Please RSVP here for the Zoom link and to make sure we get enough food!

5 PM - GMM, open to SGWU members in good standing (have signed a member card and are paying dues if in the Bargaining Unit or voluntary dues if on fellowship).

Agenda:

  • Recap of last month’s UE National Convention

  • Kim Lawson and Scott Slawson, the newly elected UE National officers, want to meet you! Learn how unions across the US are defending our rights.

  • Grievance Committee report – hear about grievances your union won and is fighting!

  • Steward Elections! Nominate stewards here: sgwu.us/s/steward-noms

  • Update on health insurance changes

  • Update on the mail fee and EVGR package delivery disruptions

6 PM - Free dinner from Zareen’s (Indian food including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices). Organizing Town Hall on your issues, open to all grad workers. We encourage all grad workers to become members to participate in the democratic operation of our union. Due to the high influx of new workers at the beginning of the quarter, the Organizing Town Hall will be open to everyone!

Your issues: 5 Year Funding

Stanford pledged to fund PhD grad workers for five years of their degree. They re-affirmed this promise in the side letter to the contract SGWU and Stanford signed last November. However, in grievance meetings across departments and schools, the Union has seen Stanford steadily trying to erode what they argue the five year funding guarantee covers – rendering what was supposed to be a guarantee of workers security to finish their degree into a nearly worthless platitude.

As we come up on the one year anniversary of our contract in November, we need to make sure Stanford remembers what they promised. Especially in the current funding climate, grad workers deserve the peace of mind that they won’t be dropped from their degree program by arbitrary funding cuts. We will be discussing at the town hall the organizing plans for the fall, to show Stanford that Stanford works because we do.

Your issues: Health insurance

This year, Stanford switched health insurance providers to Blue Shield of California, managed by Wellfleet. Are you having trouble with referrals, getting providers to accept your insurance, or anything else? Come discuss your experiences and join the SGWU Slack to discuss with grad workers across campus.

We requested a town hall with Stanford to address your healthcare concerns, but they ignored us. GLO will be hosting a Zoom webinar on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 12:30 on Cardinal Care Insurance, but many of us have outstanding questions on coverage and continuation of care. We need your help to plan organizing efforts! Our union’s power comes from your collective participation.

Your issues: mail and package delivery disruptions in EVGR; Mail fee

We have collected over 60 reports of package delivery disruptions since launching our reporting form on Sep. 10. Using this data, we requested a town hall with LBRE, the administrative department responsible for the Stanford Warehouse and the Graduate Package Center, where packages have been getting frequently rejected and/or delayed.. However, LBRE refused to meet with graduate workers.

We need your help to plan ways to stop the disruption, reverse the mail fee, and hold Stanford accountable. All ideas are welcome at the Organizing Town Hall.

Here’s what you can do right now.

  • Keep reporting any mail and package issues using our reporting form. This form automatically emails LBRE and Student Affairs – they can’t claim to be ignorant of the problems they’ve caused.

  • Report package issues to the carrier.

    • USPIS takes any hindrance to USPS deliveries very seriously. It is your right to receive timely mail delivery.

    • UPS and Amazon are troubled by the mail policy. We need to make it clear Stanford LBRE is the culprit for customer dissatisfaction and lost revenue.

  • Join the #evgr-mail slack channel for latest updates on the issue

  • Send a tip to the Stanford Daily. You can remain anonymous!

  • Join the mail fee committee on the SGWU Slack.

In solidarity,

SGWU

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS – get events, academic deadlines and other info on your calendar here.

What? When? Where?
General Membership Meeting - Open to SGWU Members Sep. 25, 5 PM EVGR C 134
Dinner and Organizing Town Hall - Open to All Grads Sep. 25, 6 PM EVGR C 134


2025-09-18: TODAY Welcome (back) Social + New Student Orientation

Welcome (back) Social + New Student Orientation TODAY


TL;DR

  • University-wide orientation at 6PM in Hewlett 201 today!

  • Pizza social for new + returning students at 7 PM outside Hewlett following orientation. Please RSVP for food!

Dear Graduate Workers,

We’re excited to see you at our union orientation today. Join us from 6-7 PM in Hewlett 201 to learn about your rights and benefits as a graduate worker, how you can get involved in our member-run union, grab some SGWU merch + more!

New and returning students are also encouraged to attend our Social at 7 PM outside Hewlett.

In solidarity,

Your Local Executive Board

—

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS – get events, academic deadlines and other info on your calendar here.

What? When? Where?
University-Wide Orientation Sep. 18, 6pm Hewlett 201
Post-Orientation Social (new and returning workers invited!) Sep. 18, 7pm Outside Hewlett
SGWU Tabling at GOALIE Sep. 19, 12-2pm Canfield Court
General Membership Meeting - Open to SGWU Members, RSVP here Sep. 25, 5pm EVGR C 134
Dinner and Town Hall - Open to All Grads - RSVP for food Sep. 25, 6pm EVGR C 134

Graduated? Unsubscribe here



2025-09-15: Welcome (back) Social + New Student Orientation Thursday 9/18

Welcome (back) Social and Union-Wide Orientation Thursday 9/18


TL;DR

  • New and returning students: enjoy free food at our Welcome (back) Social, Thursday 7 PM outside Hewlett. Please RSVP to help us get food!

  • New students: learn about your union in a university-wide orientation Thursday 6 PM (before the social).

  • Find SGWU at the GOALIE Resource Fair Friday 12-2 PM

Dear Graduate Workers,

Welcome to Autumn 2025, our first autumn quarter under contract! If you’re a new student (or a returning one interested in a refresher), we will have a university-wide orientation Thursday, 9/18 at 6-7 PM in Hewlett 201.

Orientation will cover:

  • Which jobs are “in the bargaining unit” (covered by SGWU’s contract)

  • Your rights and benefits as a graduate worker

  • What to do if your rights are violated or you’re treated unfairly at work

  • How you can get involved in our member-run union

  • Current fights: defending research funding, international students’ rights and academic freedom, organizing against fees, campus mail delivery problems, and recent trouble with Cardinal Care health insurance

  • There will be merch!

Post-Orientation Social: Thursday 7 PM outside Hewlett. We’ll have drinks and pizza, including vegetarian and gluten-free choices. Please RSVP so we get enough food!

Also find us at GOALIE: Friday 12-2 PM. Ask us anything; our table will be full of experienced grad workers ready to share advice!

In solidarity,

SGWU

—

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS – get events, academic deadlines and other info on your calendar here.

What? When? Where?
University-Wide Orientation Sep. 18, 6pm Hewlett 201
Post-Orientation Social (new and returning workers invited!) Sep. 18, 7pm Outside Hewlett
SGWU Tabling at GOALIE Sep. 19, 12-2pm Canfield Court
General Membership Meeting - Open to SGWU Members, RSVP here Sep. 25, 5pm EVGR C 134
Dinner and Town Hall - Open to All Grads - RSVP for food Sep. 25, 6pm EVGR C 134

Graduated? Unsubscribe here



2025-09-12: General Membership Meeting, Free Dinner,

Next General Membership Meeting Sep. 25, 2025, free dinner and Organizing Town Hall afterward.


TL;DR:

  • Next General Membership Meeting, Sep. 25, 2025 at 5pm – open to SGWU members
  • Free dinner and Town Hall Sep. 25 6pm – open to all grad workers!

—————

Dear Graduate Workers,

Our next General Membership Meeting (GMM) will be on Sep. 25, 2025 in EVGR C 134. Please RSVP here for the Zoom link and to make sure we get enough food!

5PM - GMM, open to SGWU members.

Agenda:

  • Recap of last month’s UE National Convention
  • Kim Lawson and Scott Slawson, the newly elected UE National officers, want to meet you! Learn how unions across the US are defending our rights.
  • Grievance Committee report – hear about grievances your union won and is fighting!
  • Steward Elections! Nominate stewards here: sgwu.us/s/steward-noms
  • Update on the mail fee and EVGR package delivery delays

6PM - Free dinner (menu TBD) and Town Hall on upcoming organizing, open to all grad workers

In solidarity,

SGWU

📅**UPCOMING EVENTS – get events, academic deadlines and other info on your calendar here.

What? When? Where?
University-Wide Orientation Sep. 18, 6pm Hewlett 201
Post-Orientation Social (new and returning workers invited!) Sep. 18, 7pm Outside Hewlett
General Membership Meeting - Open to SGWU Members Sep. 25, 5pm EVGR C 134
Dinner and Town Hall - Open to All Grads Sep. 25, 6pm EVGR C 134

Graduated? Unsubscribe here



2025-09-10: Addressing the Mail Fee and Package Delivery Disruptions in

Stanford Mail and Package Services (MPS) is interfering with EVGR deliveries. Report problems; we need evidence to fight this.


Takeaways:

  • Stanford Mail and Package Services (MPS) is interfering with EVGR deliveries

  • You may send packages to campus; MPS pledged not to interfere but has been reported diverting them to Newark

  • We need hard evidence of these problems: report them here

  • Report MPS-caused disruptions to the carrier

  • Report package theft to Public Safety

Dear Graduate Workers,

We’re writing with an update on the mail fee in campus housing, Stanford’s new package center, and disruptions to package delivery

Summary

Stanford has a long history of mail issues in campus housing. Currently, Stanford has imposed a mail fee of $150 per year ($40 per academic quarter and $30 for summer), which we consider a de-facto rent increase that violates the intent of the commitments Stanford made about rent in the side letter to our contract. We are collecting signatures on a petition against the mail fee, which you can sign here. We plan to deliver this petition to Stanford in a public rally once the quarter begins.

Stanford has also opened a new off-campus package center, the “Stanford Warehouse”, and encouraged campus residents to mail packages to the warehouse instead of their home addresses. This week we received reports that EVGR residents’ packages are being rejected on arrival to EVGR or redirected to the warehouse, incurring unacceptable delays.

Where Should I Mail My Items?

Flat mail (envelopes), perishables, and food/grocery deliveries

Always use your on-campus address. The warehouse does not accept them.

All other packages

  • You may use your on-campus address or the Stanford Warehouse.

  • If Stanford says you cannot receive items to your address, please report this to us – we need hard evidence of these actions to fight them.

  • Amazon packages can be sent to lockers at Tressider.

What are the pros and cons of the Stanford Warehouse?

If you send a package to your on-campus address:

If you send a package to the Stanford Warehouse:

  • Make sure to include your SUNetID

  • It should arrive at the warehouse and be sent to the on-campus package center or lockers. You should be able to track it.

  • Purchases sent to Stanford Warehouse will be charged 1.625% more sales tax. The warehouse is in a different zip code with a sales tax rate of 10.75%, compared to the Palo Alto rate of 9.125% (source).

  • Stanford has promised same-day delivery from the warehouse. If your packages are delayed for >24 hours, please report this to us.

What Can You Do About Package Delivery Problems?

REPORT PROBLEMS! Mail carriers and grad workers need hard evidence to fight these problems.

We are requesting a town hall with LBRE, the department responsible for the Stanford Warehouse. We also plan to meet with our local USPS Postmaster about package redirection in EVGR.

In solidarity,

SGWU Organizers



2025-09-02: Avoid the new tariffs! Bike light, helmet, and lock bulk order closes in 3 days

Avoid bike tickets! Join an SGWU member-led bulk order of bike lights, helmets and locks.


TL; DR:

  • Need a new bike helmet, light or lock? We’re working with the Campus Bike Shop to get you a 10% - 20% discount – join our bulk order before Sep. 4 and avoid potential price hikes due to tariffs.

Dear Graduate Workers,

We’re excited to see you in September! We know many workers bike on and off campus. If you plan to bike at Stanford, make sure you bring a lock, light and helmet to stay safe and avoid tickets.

If you still need these items, we’re planning a bulk order for a 10% - 20% discount. We were able to lock in the August prices of these items, as we don’t know how the prices will change due to tariffs in September.

  1. Preorder with this form. The Bike Shop is offering a bulk discount of 10% for 100 orders, or 20% for 200 orders.

  2. The form will close in 3 days on Thursday, Sep. 4. At this point, we’ll place the bulk order and ask everyone who signed up to pay for their items.

  3. Items should be available by Sep. 17 (mid-orientation week) at the Campus Bike Shop.

  4. You’re responsible for picking up your items in person. The Bike Shop staff will help you get the right size helmet.

In solidarity,

SGWU

P.S. This is a member-led campaign! If you have a great idea to help grad workers, join our Slack and we can help you execute it.



2025-08-27: WorkersOverBillionaires Rally - 9/1 at 3pm, San Jose City Hall!

Rally with us and the South Bay Labor Council for Labor Day weekend! Free carpools.


Dear Graduate Workers,

SGWU invites you to our labor day rally #WorkersOverBillionaires with the South Bay Labor Council from 3-5pm on Monday, September 1st at the San Jose City Hall.

We will be organizing carpools to the event. To sign up, go to sgwu.us/s/labor-day. For official event details, see here.

This rally is part of a national wave of demonstrations across the country on Labor Day to stop the billionaire agenda. Billionaires are taking away money from working families, putting them in their own pockets, and funding a private army of ICE agents, who have shown up at Stanford hospitals, threatening the safety of our international students and community.

Join us in fighting for a country that is more fair, just, equitable, and free for all of us— not just at the ballot box, but in the streets, outside the offices of the corporate criminals who are behind the attacks on our freedoms, and at congressional offices!

In Solidarity,

SGWU

San Jose Labor Day Flier Final.png

To unsubscribe from announcements, visit:

https://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/sgwu-announce

San Jose Labor Day Flier Final.png



2025-08-25: South Bay Labor Council Pride Parade 8/31 in San Jose

Join the South Bay Labor Council at the Silicon Valley Pride Parade this Sunday, 8/31!


Dear Graduate Workers,

The South Bay Labor Council, with whom we are affiliated, invites you to the Silicon Valley Pride Parade on Sunday, 8/31 in Downtown San Jose! This is a great opportunity to get connected with bay area labor organizers. Please see the attached flyer and RSVP with rsvp@southbaylabor.org for event updates!

In Solidarity,

Your Local Executive Board

-–

To unsubscribe from announcements, visit:

https://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/sgwu-announce

SILICON VALLEY PRIDE PARADE.png



2025-08-18: Union Cafeteria + GMM tomorrow evening! (8/19)

Japanese curry at our first Union Cafeteria tomorrow + General Membership Meeting


TL;DR

  • Union Cafeteria and General Membership Meeting (GMM) on Tues 8/19

    • Food from 5-6 PM in EVGR B 144

    • Meeting from 6-7 PM in EVGR C 134 Theater

    • Please RSVP

  • Tell us about your experience with Emergency Grant-in-Aid

  • Submit your priorities for this GMM here!

Dear Graduate Workers,

A reminder that our next General Membership Meeting (GMM) will be tomorrow Tuesday, August 19 from 6-7 PM PDT in EVGR C 134 Theater. Please RSVP for the Zoom link and to let us know if you’ll be attending our Union Cafeteria beforehand.

Join us at the Union Cafeteria beforehand (5-6 pm) in EVGR B 144 for Japanese curry, cold beverages, and community building! Come by to enjoy free food and drink, meet your coworkers, and pick up a free SGWU T-shirt or some anti-mail-fee flyers.

Remember that to attend the GMM you must be a member in good standing; meaning you must have signed a membership card and be up to date on dues. Please see the FAQ here if you have any questions.

Finally, we want to know about your experience with Emergency Grant-in-Aid and other sources of graduate financial aid. These programs cover things like dental and vision care, bike repairs, and other unexpected expenses. Please take our survey!

In Solidarity,

SGWU Local Executive Board



2025-08-14: Japanese Curry and Community at the "Union Cafeteria" Next

Japanese curry at our first Union Cafeteria next week! Come for free food and community building.


Hello Folks!

You’re invited to join us for some delicious Japanese curry, cold beverages, and community building at the first “Union Cafeteria” event hosted by the Stanford Graduate Workers Union (SGWU).

Come get to know your neighbors, your colleagues, and some of our Union’s organizers! Dinner will be held next week on Tuesday August 19 th in EVGR B Room 144, we will be serving food from 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM. Following dinner we will walk on over together to the monthly general membership meeting and continue the fun.

Whether this is your very first Union event or have been coming to events for awhile, we would love to have you join us! Graduate school can be tough, but we don’t have to do it alone. We look forward to seeing you there!

In Solidarity,

SGWU Local Executive Board



2025-08-12: August 19 GMM 6 PM w/ free Dinner!

Clarification on what it means to be a member in good standing!


Correction: to be a member in good standing, you must have signed a membership card, and be up-to-date on dues payments either via payroll deduction, manually, or voluntary dues (if on fellowship)

On Tue, Aug 12, 2025 at 9:54 PM SGWU Comms <contact@sgwu.us> wrote:

TL;DR

  • Next General Membership Meeting (GMM) on Tuesday, 8/19 from 6-7 PM

  • Please RSVP for food + Zoom link!

Submit your priorities for this GMM here!

Dear Graduate Workers,

Our next General Membership Meeting (GMM) will be Tuesday, August 19 from 6-7 PM PDT (room TBD). Please RSVP for free dinner + Zoom link.

We will also have a party after the GMM. Come by to enjoy free food and drink, meet your coworkers, and pick up a free SGWU T-shirt or some anti-mail-fee flyers. We’ll be on the lawn between EVGR B and C!

Remember that to attend the GMM you must be a member in good standing, meaning: you must have signed a dues deduction card, and if you are on a fellowship, you must be paying voluntary dues this quarter. Please see the FAQ here if you have any questions.

GMM Agenda:

  • Recap: UE Convention and National Elections. SGWU members have bound all our delegates to the Build Win Lead slate.

  • Updates from our Standing Committees

  • Contract education: Cardinal Care, the funding guarantee, emergency grant-in-aid and more!

  • Orientation schedule: we’re looking for volunteers! Please email contact@sgwu.us if you would like to help out with the official union orientation at your department.

  • Other concerns from our members - submit yours at sgwu.us/s/gmm-issues

See you at the GMM,

Your Local Executive Board



2025-08-12: August 19 GMM 6 PM w/ free Dinner!

Our next GMM will be Tuesday, 8/19 - let us know what topics you want to discuss.


TL;DR

  • Next General Membership Meeting (GMM) on Tuesday, 8/19 from 6-7 PM

  • Please RSVP for food + Zoom link!

Submit your priorities for this GMM here!

Dear Graduate Workers,

Our next General Membership Meeting (GMM) will be Tuesday, August 19 from 6-7 PM PDT (room TBD). Please RSVP for free dinner + Zoom link.

We will also have a party after the GMM. Come by to enjoy free food and drink, meet your coworkers, and pick up a free SGWU T-shirt or some anti-mail-fee flyers. We’ll be on the lawn between EVGR B and C!

Remember that to attend the GMM you must be a member in good standing, meaning: you must have signed a dues deduction card, and if you are on a fellowship, you must be paying voluntary dues this quarter. Please see the FAQ here if you have any questions.

GMM Agenda:

  • Recap: UE Convention and National Elections. SGWU members have bound all our delegates to the Build Win Lead slate.

  • Updates from our Standing Committees

  • Contract education: Cardinal Care, the funding guarantee, emergency grant-in-aid and more!

  • Orientation schedule: we’re looking for volunteers! Please email contact@sgwu.us if you would like to help out with the official union orientation at your department.

  • Other concerns from our members - submit yours at sgwu.us/s/gmm-issues

See you at the GMM,

Your Local Executive Board



2025-08-11: Defend Due Process at Stanford [take ASSU/GSC survey!]

SGWU and the GSC are addressing reports that the Office of Community Standards has violated graduate workers' right to a fair, transparent process. Help us by sharing your experiences with this office.


Dear Graduate Workers,

We have received troubling reports that the Office of Community Standards (OCS) has violated graduate workers’ rights to fairness, transparency and due process in its handling of Honor Code and Fundamental Standard cases. Specifically:

  • OCS refusing to provide clear charges until months into in the process

  • Students being denied the opportunity to present relevant evidence in their own defense once the formal charges are issued

  • OCS changing procedures mid-investigation in ways that make it more difficult for students to defend themselves

  • Students being pressured not to speak up about their cases, with “confidentiality” cited as a reason to isolate them from support

These actions undermine basic principles of fairness. Most troublingly, we have heard of cases where students may have been found responsible for violations they did not commit due to this lack of fairness. Due process is not just about rules on paper; it is about ensuring every member of the Stanford community is treated with dignity, respect, and a meaningful opportunity to be heard.

The Graduate Student Council (GSC) and Undergraduate Senate (UGS) have launched a joint effort to reform the OCS process. They are collecting reports, offering support to students currently going through OCS, and working to make the process more transparent and accountable. SGWU fully supports these efforts and urges graduate workers to add their voices in calls for reform.

If you have been affected, or would like to support this effort, please fill out the form below prepared by ASSU and the GSC:

https://tinyurl.com/OCS-Survey

SGWU stands with any graduate worker facing mistreatment or unfair procedures, whether from OCS or any other part of the University. This includes situations where:

  • Students are denied due process in disciplinary cases

  • Contractual protections, such as just cause, progressive discipline, or representation, are ignored

If you believe your contract rights are being or have been violated, you can submit a grievance using the form below:

SGWU Grievance Form: sgwu.us/s/grievance

No one should go through this process alone. You have the right to a support person, and if you believe that a meeting or process could lead to your discipline or discharge you have the right to Union representation. SGWU stands with the GSC and UGS in calling for a fairer, more accountable system that respects the rights of everyone in the Stanford community.

In solidarity,

Stanford Graduate Workers Union



2025-08-06: Union Social Today!

Union social this evening between EVGR B and C!


Hey Grad Workers,

We will be having another union social today! Come to between EVGR B and C at 6pm to get some drinks, some food, and some good union merch!

Yours in Solidarity,

The SGWU Membership Building Committee



2025-08-01: July Newsletter | GMM recap, Cardinal Care, Funding Guarantee,

GMM recap + grievance wins including getting workers reinstated after canceled TAships and reversing a denied Emergency-Grant-In-Aid application.


JULY 2025 AT A GLANCE

STANFORD GRADUATE WORKERS UNION • Jul 31, 2025

Black line.

This month, the Stanford Graduate Workers Union (SGWU) worked on key issues affecting graduate workers. We created resources to fight the graduate housing mail fee, raised your concerns about the new Cardinal Care to Stanford administrators, and met with Stanford to discuss the status of the five‑year funding guarantee amid shrinking federal research support.

We also won important grievances, such as getting members reinstated or paid in full after canceled TAships and helping grad workers receive Emergency-Grant-In-Aid funding after their application was denied in violation of the ADA.

Finally, SGWU members voted to bind our 11 delegates to the Build, Win Lead slate at the UE National Officer Elections.

📢 Announcements

🔴 Build Win Lead wins SGWU votes at UE National Elections

🟡 Answers on Cardinal Care

🔵 Answers on the Funding Guarantee

🟣 Emergency Grant-in-Aid survey

🧑‍⚖️ General Membership Meeting Recap

☑️ Passed by members

👥 New stewards

🙋 Raise an issue

📜 Know Your Contract Benefits

✍️ Travel reimbursement, time off for visas, and more!

💡 Get your free Caltrain GoPass!

🏆 Grievance Wins

🔆 Website Updates

💸 Financial Resources

🏡 Standing Committee Updates

🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 Membership Building

🖥️ Data + Tech

🎥 Communications

📅 Mark your calendar!

👊 About us

Local Executive Board

Standing Committees

Get in touch

📢 Announcements

🔴 Build Win Lead wins SGWU votes at UE National Elections

  • The SGWU Local Executive Board (LEB) has voted to unanimously endorse the Build Win Lead slate and is excited to support Scott, Kim, and Andrew. Full endorsement here.

  • SGWU members voted 93% to 7% to support the Build Win Lead slate over the Uniting All Workers slate in the UE national elections.

  • Based on this result, we will be binding all our local’s 11 national convention delegates to vote for the Build Win Lead slate at the UE convention in August.

🟡 Answers on Cardinal Care

  • Stanford is making significant changes to Cardinal Care for the next academic year, starting 9/1/2025. Read our summary here. Premiums will increase by 8% and copays for typical visits (e.g. primary care, specialist care) will increase from $25 to $35.

  • On 7/20/2025, SGWU met with Stanford administrators to discuss your concerns. You can read those notes here.

  • To summarize, there will be a 6 month buffer period for transition of care if your ongoing healthcare provider does not accept the new insurance. Stanford directed students to call Vaden or submit a ServiceNow ticket for Cardinal Care related questions. Stanford claimed they have little control over insurance premium and copay costs.

  • Stanford also promised to follow up with additional guidance on the usage of Emergency Grant-in-Aid to cover medical costs. Read our note below about EGIA!

🔵 Answers on the Funding Guarantee

  • Amid federal funding cuts, the university reaffirmed that students remain covered under the five-year funding guarantee as long as they are in “good academic standing,” which usually means having an advisor committed to funding them.

  • SGWU raised concerns over cases of harassment and abuse, as well as difficulty of matching with advisors in light of funding constraints. See our notes here.

  • If you are worried about your funding, reach out to a departmental steward or contact@sgwu.us. Additionally, Stanford admin recommended students contact their department’s Director of Graduate Study.

🟣 Emergency Grant-in-Aid survey

🧑‍⚖️ General Membership Meeting Recap

The Stanford Graduate Workers Union (SGWU) held its General Membership Meeting on July 23, 2025, to discuss key issues affecting graduate workers and share important union updates. Topics included the new graduate housing mail fee, changes to Cardinal Care health insurance, and the five‑year funding guarantee amid shrinking federal research support. Members also heard about recent grievance wins, participated in steward elections, reviewed Slack community guidelines, and learned about the upcoming UE National Officer Elections.

☑️ Passed by members

Build Win Lead slate to receive all 11 delegate votes at the UE National Election.
SGWU members passed our Slack Community Guidelines

MORE DETAILS:
🔗 LEB Endorsement of Build Win Lead Slate
🔗 Slack Community Guidelines

👥 New stewards

Please welcome our new stewards, Tom Liu (Sciences), Joyce An (MSCE), Tristan Heck (Sciences), Tom Ladendorf (Humanities), Shantanu Nevrekar (Social Sciences)
If you’re interested in becoming a union steward and helping to enforce our contract, please attend a steward training.

MORE DETAILS:
🔗 Stewards Training RSVP

🙋 Raise an issue

At GMM, we discussed the new graduate housing mail fee, changes to Cardinal Care health insurance, and the five‑year funding guarantee.
All rank-and-file members are welcome to raise discussion topics for GMMs!

MORE DETAILS:
🔗 Mail Fee Emails and Flyers

#####

🔗 Submit Issues Here

—|—|—

📜 Know Your Contract Benefits

✍️ Travel reimbursement, time off for visas, and more!

Know your rights under the contract: sgwu.us/contract/
 

💡 Get your free Caltrain GoPass!

Apply here: sgwu.us/s/go!
—|—|—

🏆 Grievance Wins

SGWU stewards have helped reinstate graduate workers and get properly paid for their work. Have a workplace issue to report? Email grievance@sgwu.us

  1. A co-term had their TAship canceled at 9:30 PM the night before spring quarter started. We helped them get reinstated after mediating communication with the department!

  2. A grad worker had their summer session TAship cancelled due to lack of enrollment. We worked with them to ensure they were paid in full!

  3. Many graduate workers in the Graduate School of Education were being unfairly denied prorated tuition allowance. Our stewards met with their employment team to ensure grad workers are duly compensated for their assistantships!

  4. A grad worker was denied Emergency-Grant-In-Aid in a clear violation of the ADA. A union steward contacted their office, and the worker received their EGIA!

🔆 Website Updates

We’ve made updates to our website, sgwu.us. Our home page has a BIG button to report workplace issues.

We also have clearer information on how to calculate and pay your dues, including voluntary dues required for fellows to remain members in good standing.

Newsletters will also be available on our website.

💸 Financial Resources

If you are facing financial hardship, our contract protects your right to get reimbursed for certain types of expenses via university resources.

  • Emergency Grant-in-Aid: financial assistance for unexpected expenses outside the standard student budget. Eligible expenses include reimbursement of actual expenses for chronic medical and mental health conditions and medically necessary expenses (e.g. dental and vision), bike repairs; computer repairs; legal expenses related to maintaining visa status

  • Graduate Student Aid Fund: health-related University fees such as the Campus Health Service Fee and Cardinal Care Insurance premiums when those expenses create a significant financial hardship (including to cover spouses through the dependent insurance plan)

  • Graduate Family Grant: flexible funds for healthcare, childcare and rent for graduate students with dependent children, making <$150k household income annually

If you’ve been denied for any of the above funding sources, please send us an email at contact@sgwu.us

🏡 Standing Committee Updates

🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 Membership Building

  • Continued work on membership building and enforcement
  • Made issue flyers + distributed them at socials
  • Planning union orientations for the fall, a right we won in the contract

🖥️ Data + Tech

  • Updates on website
  • Slack community guidelines as discussed previously
  • Cataloging broadstripes categories (very useful!)
  • Moved old notion docs to new home

🎥 Communications

  • Created actionable resources against the new mail fee
  • Collected member feedback + met with Stanford re: key issues, e.g. Cardinal Care and funding guarantee
  • We have a newsletter!

—|—|—

📅 Mark your calendar!

Upcoming events, training sessions, workshops, GMMs… you name it

Event

Time

Location

Contact

Membership Building Committee Thursdays6–7pm Room 365, Green Earth Sciences or on Zoom organizing@sgwu.us
Data + Tech Committee Async Async recording@sgwu.us
Union Social Wednesdays5–6pm Between EVGR B and C organizing@sgwu.us
General Membership Meeting (GMM) TBD TBD leb@sgwu.us
Steward Training See sgwu.us/s/steward-training steward@sgwu.us  

👊 About us

Stanford Graduate Workers Union (United Electrical Local 1043) represents graduate workers’ interests as university employees and negotiates collectively over employment conditions like pay, benefits, health and safety, and protections against harassment and discrimination. We believe that graduate workers at Stanford power the research and teaching integral to the University’s operations, reputation, and mission, and we deserve to have fair compensation and working conditions.

Local Executive Board

Our elected officers and Area Chief Stewards carry out decisions made by the membership in between General Membership Meetings, handle grievances, keep our union running, and respond to urgent situations. The local executive board is elected annually for a one-year term.

Standing Committees

Our three Standing Committees (Membership Building, Communications, Data and Technology) help run the day-to-day operations of our union. These Committees meet weekly and are open to all rank-and-file members.

Get in touch

We welcome questions, comments and feedback through our emails, website, or social media.

[sgwu-announce

@lists.stanford.edu](https://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/sgwu-announce)

—|—|—|—|—



2025-07-31: Answers on changes to Cardinal Care

Summary of changes to Cardinal Care for the next academic year + help us track Stanford's financial assistance programs (one of your contract benefits)!


Dear Graduate Workers,

As you may be aware, Stanford is making significant changes to Cardinal Care for the next academic year, starting 9/1/2025.

SGWU has summarized these differences here. In short, premiums will increase 8% and copays for typical visits (primary care, specialist care) will increase from $25 to $35. Graduate students with at least a 25% TA/RA appointment (or equivalent fellowship) will continue to receive a full subsidy for Cardinal Care premiums.

Thank you to everyone who submitted questions. On 7/21/2025, SGWU leadership met with Stanford administrators to discuss your concerns. You can read those notes here. To summarize, there will be a 6 month buffer period for transition of care if your ongoing healthcare provider does not accept the new insurance. Stanford directed students to call Vaden or submit a ServiceNow ticket for Cardinal Care related questions. Stanford also promised to follow up with additional guidance on the usage of Emergency Grant-in-Aid to cover medical costs.

Per our contract with Stanford, the University shall maintain a number of financial assistance programs for graduate students, which can help cover healthcare costs. SGWU is collecting information on program use and application outcomes.

Please fill out this form if you’ve had experience applying/receiving aid from the following programs:

  • Emergency Grant-in-Aid: provides financial assistance for unexpected expenses outside the standard student budget. Eligible expenses include reimbursement of actual expenses for chronic medical and mental health conditions and medically necessary expenses (e.g. dental and vision), bike repairs; computer repairs; legal expenses related to maintaining visa status

  • Graduate Student Aid Fund: health-related University fees such as the Campus Health Service Fee and Cardinal Care Insurance premiums when those expenses create a significant financial hardship (including to cover spouses through the dependent insurance plan)

  • Graduate Family Grant: flexible funds for healthcare, childcare and rent for graduate students with dependent children, making <$150k household income annually

In Solidarity,

SGWU



2025-07-29: UE National Officer Election Results

SGWU members voted to support the Build Win Lead slate in the UE National Elections.


Dear Grad Workers,

The vote for which slate to support in the UE national election concluded Sunday night. The final tally was 93% for Build Win Lead and 7% for Uniting All Workers, with a total of 115 votes cast. Based on this result, we will be binding all our local’s 11 national convention delegates to vote for the Build Win Lead slate at the UE convention in August.

Sincerely,

Your Local Executive Board



2025-07-23: GMM TODAY @ 5pm in EVGR C Theater

GMM today covering UE National Elections, the mail fee, Cardinal Care changes, and 5-year funding.


Dear Graduate Workers,

Please join us at our General Membership Meeting today, where both slates running for UE national officer positions will speak. Also on the agenda are the mail fee, Cardinal Care changes, funding guarantee and updates from your Local Executive Board.

We will be in EVGR C Theater (C 134) and on Zoom at 5pm, with Zareen’s social to follow. Please RSVP.

In Solidarity,

Your Local Executive Board



2025-07-22: UE National Elections Procedure | GMM TOMORROW @ 5pm

Learn how SGWU members will vote on the UE National Officer Elections + reminder about tomorrow's GMM and Zareen's dinner.


TL;DR

  • Please read UE National Officer elections procedure below

  • RSVP for GMM tomorrow, 5pm @ EVGR C Theater. Zareen’s to follow!

————

Dear Graduate Workers,

Tomorrow after our GMM, all members in good standing will receive a ballot via OpaVote [subject line: “UE National Officer OpaVote Ballot”] in your Stanford email. This ballot is to vote on which of the two slates running for UE national officer positions. The positions which candidates are running for are General President, Director of Organization, and General Secretary-Treasurer.

  • Build Win Lead: Scott Slawson (General President) , Kim Lawson (Director of Organization), and Andrew Dinkelaker (General Secretary-Treasurer)

  • Uniting All Workers: Tara McCauley (General President), George Waksmunski (Director of Organization), and Chris Wilson (General Secretary-Treasurer)

The SGWU Local Executive Board voted unanimously to endorse the Build Win Lead slate, you can read about the endorsement here.

The election will run until Sunday July 27th at 11:59pm. The slate which receives the majority of votes will receive all our locals delegate votes at the national convention.

You can come to the GMM tomorrow at 5pm in EVGR C Room 134 to hear from both the slates, and ask them questions. Please RSVP if you will attend in person or on zoom. We will also be discussing the mail fee, Cardinal Care and grievance wins (see agenda below).

If you don’t receive a ballot but think you should have, or have any questions on the election, please email contact@sgwu.us.

Yours in Solidarity,

Liam Sherman

SGWU Vice President for Membership

————

GMM Agenda:

  • Membership issues (10 min)

    • Mail fee: SGWU has emailed LBRE and the Provost. We have also prepared email templates and flyers for members to send Stanford admin or post around campus, in addition to the petition.

    • Cardinal Care: SGWU will provide updates from our meeting with Stanford

    • Funding Guarantee: SGWU will provide updates from our meeting with Stanford

  • Grievance wins (10 min)

  • Vote on new stewards and SGWU Slack Community Guidelines (5 min)

  • Info on UE National Elections and the Local Executive Board endorsement (5 min)

  • Time with both slates running for UE National Elections (15 min + 5 min questions each)

  • Remaining issues from the membership

SGWU July General Membership Meeting

Jul 23, 2025, 5:00pm – Jul 23, 2025, 6:00pm(GMT-07:00) Pacific Time - Los AngelesEVGR C Theater
—|—



2025-07-19: GMM at 5pm on 7/23 | Zareen’s to follow | LEB endorses Build, Win, Lead slate

Our next GMM is on 7/23 at 5pm in EVGR C 134 and on Zoom. Social to follow, catered by Zareen’s!


TL;DR

  • Our next GMM is on 7/23 at 5pm in EVGR C 134 and on Zoom. Please RSVP.

  • There will be a social to follow, catered by Zareen’s, on the EVGR B/C lawn.

  • Our top priorities are the UE National Elections, the mail fee and Cardinal Care.

-———

Dear Graduate Workers,

Please RSVP for our next General Membership meeting. We will have a catered social from Zareen’s afterwards on the lawn between EVGR B and C!

When: 5-6pm on Wednesday, July 23

Where: EVGR C 134 / EVGR Theater and Zoom

Agenda:

  • Membership issues (10 min)

    • Mail fee: SGWU has emailed LBRE and the Provost. We have also prepared email templates and flyers for members to send Stanford admin or post around campus. With your action, we can win this through massive public pressure, even if “fees” are not technically in our contract! 600+ of you have signed the petition, let’s keep the momentum going.

    • Cardinal Care: SGWU is meeting with Stanford today. Stay tuned for updates.

  • Grievance wins (10 min)

  • Vote on new stewards and SGWU Slack Community Guidelines (5 min)

  • Info on UE National Elections and the Local Executive Board endorsement (5 min)

  • Time with both slates running for UE National Elections (15 min + 5 min questions each)

  • Remaining issues from the membership

Information on UE National Elections: There are two slates running for office in the UE National elections. Both will attend our GMM.

SGWU has 15 delegates who will vote for one slate (i.e. as a bloc) of your choosing. While our Local Executive Board has made an endorsement, members will make the final decision. We will hold this vote online via OpaVote. All SGWU members in good standing are eligible to vote, even if you don’t attend the GMM.

See you at the GMM,

The SGWU Local Executive Board



2025-07-17: SGWU-UE Local Executive Board Endorsement Statement for Build Win Lead Slate

Read our local board's endorsement and get ready to vote! SGWU is sending grad worker delegates to the UE National elections.


Dear Graduate Workers,

Our national union, United Electrical (UE), is holding its biennial elections for national officers this year at the National Convention in August. These elections will determine the direction of UE for the next two years, with consequences for our local union SGWU-UE, other UE grad locals across the United States, and the US labor movement as a whole. Our local benefits from the organizing expertise developed over decades from successful UE locals nationwide, and national officers help to circulate that expertise throughout UE.

As members of UE, our local union has the opportunity to cast 15 total delegate votes in the election for UE national office. Most locals in UE are much smaller than our local and thus only have 1-5 votes. With a large number of votes in this election, our local has a responsibility to democratically decide the future direction of UE. We encourage all members to engage in this exciting and historic process in our union.

As a reminder, two slates (groupings) of candidates are running for the positions of President, Director of Organization, and General Secretary-Treasurer, respectively:

Based on our interviews and interactions with the slates, the SGWU Local Executive Board (LEB) has voted to unanimously endorse the Build Win Lead slate and is excited to support Scott, Kim, and Andrew. Please read our full endorsement here.

We also believe it is critical to note that Valentina Luketa withdrew her candidacy for UE General President on the Build Win Lead slate, citing her experiences of sexual harassment and a resulting hostile work environment stemming from the conduct of the opposing campaign. The UE General Counsel and Anti-Harassment Coordinator investigated a complaint filed by rank-and-file workers and found that George Waksmunski and Chris Wilson had made comments that “constitute unlawful discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex and created a hostile working environment… within the meaning of applicable anti-discrimination laws and the UE Anti-Harassment Policy.” George and Chris have since agreed to a remedy put forward by the UE General Executive Board and recanted their statements. Our Executive Board is deeply disappointed by this conduct and the discourse that it normalized in this election. We unequivocally denounce all forms of sexual harassment and prejudice, which have no place in discussions that should be grounded in merit and experience.

We look forward to the GMM next Wednesday, July 23 at 5 PM in EVGR C 154 , during which members can hear from both slates and candidates (who will be in attendance on Zoom). A vote via OpaVote will be held afterwards open to all members in good standing.

In Solidarity,

Your Local Executive Board



2025-07-15: July 23 GMM 5PM, Free Dinner, Party 630PM

Next General Membership Meeting (GMM) is Wednesday, 7/23 from 5-6PM + party afterward!


TL;DR

  • Next General Membership Meeting (GMM) on Wednesday, 7/23 from 5-6PM (free food!) EVGR C 134 and on Zoom. Please RSVP

  • We will have a post-GMM party with food, drink and good summer vibes! EVGR B/C lawn, 6:30pm July 23

  • Our top priorities for this GMM are the UE National Elections in August, and addressing issues from our membership (submit yours here)

Dear Graduate Workers,

Our next General Membership Meeting (GMM) will be Wednesday, July 23 from 5-6pm PDT in the EVGR Theater (EVGR C 134) and on Zoom. Please RSVP for free dinner + Zoom link.

We will also have a party after the GMM. Come by to enjoy free food and drink, meet your coworkers, and pick up a free SGWU T-shirt or some anti-mail-fee flyers. We’ll be on the lawn between EVGR B and C!

Remember that to attend the GMM you must be a member in good standing; please see the FAQ here if you have any questions.

GMM Agenda:

  • Information on UE National Elections, how SGWU will participate, and our Local Executive Board’s recommendation.
  • Vote on proposed Community Guidelines for the SGWU Slack.
  • Recap: SGWU’s new obligations and benefits as part of the local Labor Councils.
  • Call for delegates to represent SGWU at labor council meetings.
  • Other concerns from our members - submit yours at sgwu.us/s/gmm-issues

UE National Elections – Timeline

There are two slates running for office in the UE National elections. Every local union sends a certain number of delegates to the national convention this August to cast votes on behalf of their local unions. SGWU will have 15 delegates who will vote as a bloc (all delegates will cast their votes for one slate; they will not be split).

SGWU members will determine which slate our delegates vote for.

Before the GMM our Local Executive Board will release a recommendation on which slate they support. However, members will make the final decision.

Because many of our members are away for the summer, we will have an online vote after the GMM via OpaVote. All SGWU members in good standing are eligible to vote. If you miss the GMM, you can still vote – you’ll get all the information by email. However, we encourage you to attend for live discussion with both slates’ candidates (and free food!)

See you at the GMM,

The SGWU Local Executive Board



2025-07-09: Union Social Today!

Free food and drinks today, 6pm!


Hey Grad Workers!

Reminder that there will be a union social today! There will be food, drinks, and union merch! Come to between EVGR B and C today Wednesday July 9th at 6pm for some good union vibes.

Yours in Solidarity,

The Membership Building Committee



2025-07-09: July 23 Hot Labor Summer GMM + UE National Elections

Next GMM on Wednesday, 7/23 from 5-6PM; free food + learn about the UE National elections in August.


TL;DR

  • Next GMM on Wednesday, 7/23 from 5-6PM (free food!) Please RSVP

  • UE National elections are coming up. Learn about the candidates at the GMM! We will have an online vote after the GMM to determine which candidates our delegates will support.

-——

Dear Graduate Workers,

Our next General Membership Meeting (GMM) will be Wednesday, July 23 from 5-6pm PDT. Please RSVP (sgwu.us/s/gmm) for free dinner + Zoom link.

At our last General Membership Meeting, SGWU members voted to join the San Mateo and South Bay Labor Councils. In case you missed it, here’s an overview of what the two councils do! We also hold space at the GMM for members to have open discussions and get involved in tackling the issues they’re concerned about on campus. We want to hear from you!

GMM Agenda:

  • UE National elections are coming up! Learn about the candidates and process of electing our national union’s leadership. After the GMM, we will have an online vote to determine which candidates SGWU’s delegates will vote for at the UE National Convention in August. All union members will receive online ballots in this vote!

  • Vote on proposed Community Guidelines for the SGWU Slack.

  • Recap: SGWU’s new obligations and benefits as part of the local Labor Councils.

  • Call for delegates to represent SGWU at labor council meetings.

  • Other business: concerns from the membership

We’ll be sharing a lot more information about the UE National Elections over the next few weeks. These are turbulent times and we want everyone to be involved in the process of selecting our national leadership.

See you at the GMM!

The SGWU Local Executive Board



2025-07-08: Union Social Tomorrow!

Free pizza and drinks tomorrow, 6pm!


Hey Grad Workers!

There will be another union social tomorrow! There will be pizza, drinks, and union merch! Come to between EVGR B and C tomorrow Wednesday July 9th at 6pm for some good union vibes.

Yours in Solidarity,

The Membership Building Committee



2025-07-07: June Newsletter | GMM recap, financial resources,

Our first monthly newsletter! Juneteenth GMM recap, Caltrain Go Passes, changes to Cardinal Care and more.


JUNE 2025 AT A GLANCE

STANFORD GRADUATE WORKERS UNION • Jun 30, 2025

Black line.

SGWU Monthly Newsletter

This month, we held our Juneteenth GMM, supported our graduate workers during finals week with coffee and pastries, educated our coworkers about contract benefits (free Caltrain GoPass and appointment notifications), and swore in new union stewards. Many SGWU members also attended No Kings Day protests across the nation.

SGWU Monthly Newsletter

📢 Announcements

🔴 Cardinal Care is changing

🟡 Dues for fellows

🟣 July 23 GMM and UE National Elections

🧑‍⚖️ General Membership Meeting Recap

☑️ Passed by members

👥 New stewards

🙋 Raise an issue

📜 Know Your Contract Benefits

✍️ Summer appointments

💡 Free CalTrain GoPass

🔆 Member Spotlight

💸 Financial Resources

🏡 Standing Committee Updates

🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 Membership Building

🖥️ Data + Tech

🎥 Communications

📅 Mark your calendar!

👊 About us

Local Executive Board

Standing Committees

Get in touch

📢 Announcements

🔴 Cardinal Care is changing

SGWU has summarized changes and plans to meet with Stanford administrators. Please submit your questions! Under our contract, graduate students with at least a 25% TA/RA appointment (or equivalent fellowship) will continue to receive a full subsidy for Cardinal Care.

🟡 Dues for fellows

Fellows need to manually pay dues in order to be members in good standing. You can pay them through our website at Voluntary Dues for Fellows (redirects to Zeffy link)

🟣 July 23 GMM and UE National Elections

Our next General Membership Meeting will be held on July 23, 2025. We encourage you to attend as we will vote on the top three national United Electric officers. They will shape UE’s labor organizing strategy and support local unions across the nation over the next two years.

🧑‍⚖️ General Membership Meeting Recap

Our most recent General Membership Meeting (GMM) was held on June 19, 2025, with a Juneteenth celebration afterwards.

☑️ Passed by members

We elected to affiliate with the South Bay Labor Council and San Mateo Labor Council.

MORE DETAILS:
🔗 Labor Council FAQs

👥 New stewards

Please welcome our new stewards, Fletcher Chapin [Doerr], Daly Wettermark [Doerr].
If you’re interested in becoming a union steward and helping to enforce our contract, please attend a steward training.

MORE DETAILS:
🔗 Stewards Training RSVP

🙋 Raise an issue

At GMM, we discussed changes to Cardinal Care, contract misinformation in the Graduate School of Education and car theft in graduate housing.
All rank-and-file members are welcome to raise discussion topics for GMMs!

MORE DETAILS:
🔗 Submit Issues Here

—|—|—

📜 Know Your Contract Benefits

✍️ Summer appointments

  • If you are working this summer, you should get an Appointment letter by June 16th. If appointments are not finished by that date, you can still be given an appointment at a later date.
  • Summer Appointments above 50% (up to 90%) are still explicitly allowed in the contract
  • Hourly work is still explicitly allowed in the union contract

💡 Free CalTrain GoPass

  • Moving off campus this summer? Update your address in Axess and then sign up for your free CalTrain GoPass at sgwu.us/s/go

—|—|—

🔆 Member Spotlight
SGWU members attended No Kings Day Protests across the country White Plaza rally to protect international students and to defend federal research funding

💸 Financial Resources

If you are facing financial hardship, our contract protects your right to get reimbursed for certain types of expenses via university resources.

  • Emergency Grant-in-Aid: out-of-pocket medical, mental, vision and dental care costs; bike repairs; computer repairs; legal expenses related to maintaining visa status

  • Graduate Student Aid Fund: spousal Cardinal Care insurance premiums; campus health fee and/or Cardinal Care premiums for students with significant debt burdens or required expenses beyond customary cost of attendance

  • Graduate Family Grant: flexible funds to cover childcare, healthcare and rent for students with dependents

If you’ve been denied for any of the above funding sources, please send us an email at contact@sgwu.us

🏡 Standing Committee Updates

🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 Membership Building

  • Organized two days of tabling with coffee + pastries to support graduate workers during finals week
  • Created contract education materials, including posters for summer appointments and the free Caltrain GoPass
  • Hosted union socials to reach out to less-involved graduate workers, with 30+ attendees

🖥️ Data + Tech

  • Cleaned up Slack workspace, consolidating channels and ensuring only union members and invited guests are present
  • Updated organizer-only and public SGWU calendars
  • Updated SGWU website content
  • Updated internal infrastructure

🎥 Communications

  • Communicated important union updates via internal (listserv, Slack) channels
  • Publicized events organized by our local and our solidarity network
  • Summarized changes to Cardinal Care and fielded questions from graduate workers

—|—|—

📅 Mark your calendar!

Upcoming events, training sessions, workshops, GMMs… you name it

Event

Time

Location

Contact

Membership Building Committee Thursdays6–7pm Room 365, Green Earth Sciences or on Zoom organizing@sgwu.us
Data + Tech Committee TBD TBD recording@sgwu.us
Union Social Every other Wednesday5–6pm Between EVGR B and C organizing@sgwu.us
General Membership Meeting (GMM) July 23, 2025 TBD leb@sgwu.us

👊 About us

Stanford Graduate Workers Union (United Electric Local 1043) represents graduate workers’ interests as university employees and negotiates collectively over employment conditions like pay, benefits, health and safety, and protections against harassment and discrimination. We believe that graduate workers at Stanford power the research and teaching integral to the University’s operations, reputation, and mission, and we deserve to have fair compensation and working conditions.

Local Executive Board

Our elected officers and Area Chief Stewards carry out decisions made by the membership in between General Membership Meetings, handle grievances, keep our union running, and respond to urgent situations. The local executive board is elected annually for a one-year term.

Standing Committees

Our three Standing Committees (Membership Building, Communications, Data and Technology) help run the day-to-day operations of our union. These Committees meet weekly and are open to all rank-and-file members.

Get in touch

We welcome questions, comments and feedback through our emails, website, or social media.

sgwu.us
contact@sgwu.us
@stanfordgwu.ue
@StanfordGWU
[sgwu-announce

@lists.stanford.edu](https://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/sgwu-announce)

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