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This page contains current news and updates to the GESO website, so you don't have to search for new material. April
30, 2003 The election results are in, and GESO has been defeated, 694-651, in their own sham election. An amazing turnout of students, angered by years of ridiculous treatment by GESO, turned out to show the union where the true "voice of the campus" stood on the issue. The only question left now is when will GESO give up. Our hunch here is that they won't, but hopefully we'll get a leadership shakeup to get rid of the current slate of divisive ideologues who have hijacked what once was a civil debate and turned it into a contentious, confrontational war. GESO, have you finally learned your lesson? We don't want housecalls, we don't want organizing meetings, we don't want to pay dues, We don't want you representing us! April
24, 2003 GESO has recently announced that they are planning to hold an election with the league of women voters on April 30th in Dwight Hall. Vote NO in this election. There are a number of reasons you should view this election as nothing more than another GESO sham: (1)The "election" has no binding influence on anything. In fact, it's not an election, it's a straw poll. You can host one a similar election anytime you want for anything. We could host an election for Yale President this afternoon, or for U.S. President for that matter. It's just NOT an election in any sense of the word, it's a poll. A real election, where the NLRB comes to town, oversees a campaign period, and then monitors the vote and counts the vote, AND has legal binding results and effects for all of, GESO has continually refused to do. Why? (2)There's no proof this "election" can be conducted fairly. The voting guidelines are so loose as to make them a joke, and a private organization with a vested interest in left wing union politics is counting the votes. (3)GESO only wants this vote for propaganda. They want to win 1000-400 and then go tell the New York Times that they have 80% support here at Yale, without telling anyone how the election was conducted, who voted, or what percentage of eligible students voted. Let's make them lose their own sham election! (4)GESO is wrapping themselves in the banner of democracy while behaving more like Bolsheviks. Who holds an "election" without publicizing it? Who hides the polling places? Who claims an "election" is legitimate when their friends count the votes? This is not surprising, however, given GESO's past disregard for democracy, both within their organization and outside of it. Shame on you, GESO, for playing on our democratic ideals. (5)They've
tried this before. In 1995, GESO held the same election, and surprise,
surprise, they won the vote, about 700-100. Nice victory. They
then went and used those numbers as propaganda in the New York
Times, and yup, you guessed it, they didn't report the turnout
level or the the denominator of the electorate. They just said
"we won 87% of the vote." Unreal. March
3, 2003 The strike began today - good luck to 34/35. It's funny , I didn't see a whole lot of GESO people standing out in the cold with the real union workers. As one would suspect, today's YDN was full of strike news: my column, an editorial and the typical YDN story coverage. There's not a whole lot left to be said. Let's hope the weather warms up - it's not like any GESO people are outside... February 27, 2003 T-shirts go on public sale today - look for sellers in Woolsley hall or email to place an order. Anita Seth's column today was another disappointment of half-truths. Where did this idea come from that GESO's vote to strike passed 3-1 or 4-1. Last I checked only 1 in 4 grad students even VOTED, so that means it "passed" at best by 1-4. Granted, those who don't vote don't count, but if GESO is so popular, why can't we just have a real vote, an NLRB election? Luckily, David Grimm ran a nice piece directly under Anita's, saying exactly that. February 26, 2003 Well, at least the YDN is now covering the right topic : how will we all react to the picket-line and the strike? But of course, they are leaving out the crucial question: how does one show support for 34/35 without implicity helping out GESO? February 25, 2003 Well, here
we go. The YDN has now turned into a battlefield: congratualtions
GESO, you've created a contentious atmosphere that is disrupting
the academic community. Hope the dental insurance is worth it.
Op-ed, a
letter, and another
letter. Let the games begin, I'm sure next week will be calmer.
Yeah, right. February 24, 2003 Today's YDN has an article about how the University is preparing to handle a strike. They quote the University administration as saying that "they understand how hard it is to cross picket lines." Well it would be a hell of a lot harder if we knew we would only be supporting 34/35 and not GESO. Thanks GESO - you can tell the 34/35 picketers that you are the reason I can't support them. A letter to the editor asks undergrads to find out the truth. February 23, 2003 Fear not, preparations are underway to help people realize that they CAN support 34/35 without aiding GESO one bit. Start by buying a pro-34/35, anti-GESO t-shirt and wearing it proudly for the next few weeks. Other opportunities to help are available, email matt glassman. February 21, 2003 Along with Local 34 and 35, the membership of GESO has voted to authorize a strike to begin on March 3rd. Members of GESO will not teach class, attend class, or work on their dissertation. This is not right. GESO has no business comparing itself to Local 34 and 35. Local 34 and 35 are full of hardworking men and women trying to earn a decent wage and living. GESO is privaleged graduate students receiving free tuition, generous stipends, and eventually doctoral degrees. The idea that graduate students are somehow laborers is silly. Professors and undergraduates are preparing to deal with the strike, although most are questioning why GESO hasn't asked for an election with the NLRB yet. Others are just sick of GESO annoying people in the coffee shops of New Haven. To read more
news, check out our archive. |
