Levin Kim, Chair and member of UAW 4121
At our August General Assembly, HELU delegates and members discussed questions around the future of our movement to shape the direction of HELU’s work. What strategies and resources do we need for the fight ahead as an organization?
On strategy, delegates expressed interest in expanding HELU regional coalitional projects, currently underway in the Northeast, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Michigan. There was a lot of energy for using these coalitions to win progressive higher ed policies at the state level, build tangible solidarity through taking actions together, and help to align contracts towards shared demands and timelines.
Through this work, HELU has a unique opportunity to strengthen locals and foster new leaders – crucial to building a powerful higher ed labor movement that can meet the many crises of this moment. Interested in getting your union involved in regional coalitions? Reply to this email or reach out to the National Coordinated Organizing Committee.
The struggle for the future of higher education is not only practical, but also ideological. Where university administrations have failed to enact a vision of higher education that brings value to communities in the face of privatization and austerity, the far right is seizing this opportunity to enact a destructive agenda on our campuses and our communities.
Delegates discussed the urgent need to meet this moment by coming together around a progressive framework for higher ed and enacting this through collective action. We must continue building the capacity for larger and larger actions, while building a common language around areas of struggle such as academic freedom, contingent work, shared governance, and more. Interested in building power for a progressive federal policy agenda on higher ed? Check out the HELU federal policy platform, and reach out to the Politics & Policy committee to get involved.
Recognizing that the challenges we face can only be addressed by building a unified higher ed labor movement from coast to coast, delegates also identified concrete resources that could help strengthen member unions including libraries of digital and intellectual resources, train-the-trainer model trainings for individuals to take back to their locals, and template legislation that can be shared between regions. As a member-driven organization, none of this work happens without the involvement of delegates. As we enter a new academic year, make sure your Local’s HELU membership is up-to-date, and activate delegates from your Local to take part in HELU committees. Reach out to info@higheredunited.org for more information and resources.
Thanks to TJ Acena, HELU Sec-Treas for his work on the minutes.