PEC Upcoming Events
Union members and non-members alike are welcome to participate in our events leading up to the November elections! As a group, we are committed to conducting grassroots, community-driven political organizing that reflects not only the views of our membership, but also the needs and concerns of the communities around UW–Madison. Stay tuned to the most-up-to-date events and information on the TAA Facebook page.
The Final Week of GOTV Events:
GOTV Day of Action
Thursday, Nov 1, 6–8pm, TAA Office
One week until Election Day! For our next phone bank/text event, we’re teaming up with our sister unions, UFAS and AFT243 (MATC). Join us to get out the vote in support of local and statewide races, and meet some fellow union members! Food and refreshments will be provided.
Madison Canvassing
Saturday, Nov 3, 10am, meet at 310 N Butler St
Join TAA members in one final canvassing push this Saturday! We’ll be knocking the doors of our fellow grad students here in Madison to make sure they have what they need to vote on Election Day! RSVP to Wendy Li by emailing wendy@taa-madison.org.
Election Eve GOTV Phone Bank
Monday, Nov 5, 6–8pm, TAA Office
Join TAA members on the eve of the election to get out the vote among fellow grad students. We’ll be calling and texting everyone we can to make sure they have what they need to vote on Election Day.
More details about each of these events will be on the TAA Facebook page. If you have any questions, or want to join the Political Education Committee to help shape our political strategy, please feel free to contact pec@taa-madison.org for more information.
Other Recent Events:
Phone Bank Session, Oct 11
Postcard Writing, Oct 13
Debate Watch Party, Oct 19
Canvassing Trip to SD 17, Oct 20
Phone Bank Session, Oct 24
Canvassing Trip to SD 17, Oct 27
Previous PEC Campaigns
The Tax Cuts and Job Act
A meaningful victory for graduate students across the nation was won by rapid, nationwide mobilization against what could have been a disastrous piece of legislation. On November 2, 2017, the Republican-led House of Representatives unveiled the Tax Cuts and Job Act. The stated goal of this tax reform package is to simplify the nation’s tax code by reducing the number of tax brackets from seven to four, doubling the standard deduction, and eliminating a number of “confusing” exemptions. An unfortunate consequence of this version of the bill was the elimination of the exemption for for graduate employee tuition waivers that could have raise the federal income tax burden by more than $2,500. The TAA encouraged members of the community to speak out against the Tax Cuts and Job Act, and in so doing we joined a movement that ultimately convinced Congress to keep our waivers!
University of Wisconsin–Madison Teaching Assistants’ Association Sanctuary Union
During the October 16, 2017, General Membership Meeting, TAA members voted to pass a resolution making our union a sanctuary union, standing in solidarity with Harvard University’s United for Sanctuary Coalition and the Dane Sanctuary Coalition. Going forward, the TAA will continue to work with these organizations to protect TAA members and members of the Madison community from unjust existing immigration policies and future changes to immigration policy. (Read more…)