Takeaway: 1) Listen to the first episode of the new union podcast RU Listening? 2) Take our union’s bargaining survey today, if you haven’t already.

Dear colleague,
Hello and best wishes from us for a restful, safe, and enjoyable holiday weekend to come.
We’re writing today to tell you about the premiere of the new union podcast RU Listening? The five-episode series is designed to accompany the campaign for our next contract, explaining the core facets of our union’s ongoing work, with the goal of informing members about the contract campaign and encouraging everyone to get involved. The podcast is a project of a team of grad workers, adjuncts, NTTs, and a recent undergrad alum, and is hosted by Executive Council members Ihsan Al-Zouabi and Mich Ling.
The first episode, titled “Who Are We and Where Are We Going?” is out today—click here to listen. The episode is introduced by hosts Ihsan and Mich telling their own stories of getting involved in the union and giving a brief history of higher ed labor. It also includes a look at our last contract campaign, showing what we gained through our commitment to organizing and mobilizing.
Please listen over the holiday weekend—and be sure to share the podcast with colleagues and friends.
Speaking of contract campaigns, have you completed your bargaining survey? If you haven’t yet, please take 15 minutes after you read this email and fill it out (click here to take the survey). We need to know what we’re going to fight for in our next contract, and that starts with hearing from as many of you as possible about the issues and concerns that matter most to you.
The survey will help us accurately understand and represent the diverse interests of our membership across different jobs, ranks, campuses, backgrounds, and identities. But it has another role: helping us assess membership participation and the strength of the union. So fill out the survey, if you haven’t already. After you’re done, help us get the biggest possible response by asking your colleagues if they’ve taken the survey—and sharing the link if they haven’t.
We hope you’ll be able to take a break over the next few days.
In solidarity,
Becky and Todd
Rebecca Givan, President, Rutgers AAUP-AFT
Todd Wolfson, General Vice President, Rutgers AAUP-AFT
Rutgers AAUP-AFT Facebook page: https://facebook.com/RUaaup/
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @ruaaup
Freedom School YouTubeChannel: https://rutgersaaup.org/YouTube
Find the latest messages to members and union statements here.
For union merch, email us at aaup@rutgersaaup.org.
Read our FAQ: Know Your Contract, Know Your Rights!