August 11, 2022 - Bloomington, Indiana USA: Former grad student Aranya Lahiri speaks to members of the Indiana Grad Workers Coalition - United Electrical participating in a strike pledge launch rally during an Indiana University board of trustees meeting at Henke Hall in Memorial Stadium Thursday, August 11, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
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2022 Year-End Photo Essays – Indiana University Grad Workers Strike

December 31, 2022
Jeremy Hogan

The Indiana Grad Workers Coalition went on strike in the spring of 2022 and stayed on strike for several weeks until suspending the strike for the summer.

Nearly 2000 grad students signed a petition to end the fees in 2019, but the university administration was unmoved. Over 1600 grad students signed union cards.

“Forming a union will allow us to bargain for a long-term contract that legally guarantees the end of mandatory fees, a living wage, fairness for international students, an effective grievance procedure, and protection and improvement of benefits, according to a FAQ on the Indiana Grad Workers webpage: https://www.indianagradworkers.org/strike-faq

Over the course of the summer university officials raised the minimum SAA stipend to 22k for 10 months, a 6000-dollar per year increase for many grad workers. The administration also waived mandatory and international fees for graduate workers, which had been a major point of contention.

A fall strike was averted, but the university still has not officially recognized the IGWC-UE union.

https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/iu-administration-announces-more-concessions-to-grad-workers,-no-mention-of-union.php

These images document the strike for a series of reports for the Bloomingtonian. Some images were also published by the Chronicle of Higher Education and distributed as news photos for other publications to license.

https://www.chronicle.com/article/a-university-asked-professors-to-help-quash-a-grad-student-strike-hundreds-have-refused

https://www.chronicle.com/article/after-a-fraught-semester-a-university-wrestles-with-the-meaning-of-shared-governance

Here is a gallery of images of the strike:

BLOOMINGTON, UNITED STATES – 2022/02/09: Members of the Indiana Grad Workers Coalition who work for Indiana University stage a “Work-In” inside Franklin Hall outside the doors of a faculty meeting on February 15, 2022, in Bloomington, Ind. Graduate students who work for the university gathered enough signatures to unionize, but IU is saying they aren’t actually IU employees, and don’t have the right to a union. IU has refused to recognize the union according to the Indiana Grad Workers Coalition. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, UNITED STATES – 2022/02/09: Members of the Indiana Grad Workers Coalition who work for Indiana University occupy the Provost’s Office while staging a “Work-In” on February 15, 2022, in Bloomington, Ind. Graduate students who work for the university gathered enough signatures to unionize, but IU is saying they aren’t actually IU employees, and don’t have the right to a union. IU has refused to recognize the union according to the Indiana Grad Workers Coalition. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 14: Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton greets members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition holding picket signs at the Sample Gates while striking for union recognition on April 14, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University’s administration has said the workers don’t need a union, and has refused to acknowledge it. The graduate workers were unhappy about low wages, and paying fees when the union was formed. The strike began April 13, 2022, but the first day of picketing was canceled due to weather. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 14: A woman holds a sign reading, “IU’s poverty wages force students into the margins,” while members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition strike for union recognition on April 14, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University’s administration has said the workers don’t need a union, and has refused to acknowledge it. The graduate workers were unhappy about low wages, and paying fees when the union was formed. The strike began April 13, 2022, but the first day of picketing was canceled due to weather. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 14: Indiana University professor Ross Gay, center, supports members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition striking for union recognition on April 14, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University’s administration has said the workers don’t need a union, and has refused to acknowledge it. The graduate workers were unhappy about low wages, and paying fees when the union was formed. The strike began April 13, 2022, but the first day of picketing was canceled due to weather. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 15: A graduating student poses for a photo at the Sample Gates as members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition picketed during a strike for union recognition on April 15, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University’s administration has said the workers don’t need a union, and has refused to acknowledge it. The graduate workers were unhappy about low wages, and paying fees when the union was formed. The strike began April 13, 2022. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 15: A group of graduating students opened a bottle of Champaign during a photo session at the Sample Gates as members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition held picket signs while striking for union recognition on April 15, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University’s administration has said the workers don’t need a union, and has refused to acknowledge it. The graduate workers were unhappy about low wages, and paying fees when the union was formed. The strike began April 13, 2022. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 18: Members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition and their supporters hold a pet parade while striking for union recognition on April 18, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University’s administration has said the workers don’t need a union, and has refused to acknowledge it. The graduate workers were unhappy about low wages, and paying fees when the union was formed. The strike began April 13, 2022. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 18: Jackson Bell, an Indiana University undergraduate student, holds a sign reading, “My AIs deserve a living wage,” while supporting members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition who striking for union recognition on April 18, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University’s administration has said the workers don’t need a union, and has refused to acknowledge it. The graduate workers were unhappy about low wages, and paying fees when the union was formed. The strike began April 13, 2022. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 19: Members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition and their supporters dance while striking for union recognition on April 19, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University’s administration has said the workers don’t need a union, and has refused to acknowledge it. The graduate workers were unhappy about low wages, and paying fees when the union was formed. The strike began April 13, 2022, and strikers voted by 97.3-percent on April 19 to continue the strike for another week. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 19: Members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition and their supporters carrying picket signs during a strike for union recognition on April 19, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University’s administration has said the workers don’t need a union, and has refused to acknowledge it. The graduate workers were unhappy about low wages, and paying fees when the union was formed. The strike began April 13, 2022, and strikers voted by 97.3-percent on April 19 to continue the strike for another week. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 19: Members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition and their supporters picket outside the Chemistry building while striking for union recognition on April 19, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University’s administration has said the workers don’t need a union, and has refused to acknowledge it. The graduate workers were unhappy about low wages, and paying fees when the union was formed. The strike began April 13, 2022, and strikers voted by 97.3-percent on April 19 to continue the strike for another week. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 19: A supporter carries a sign reading, “Undergrads for Union,” as members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition strike for union recognition on April 19, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University’s administration has said the workers don’t need a union, and has refused to acknowledge it. The graduate workers were unhappy about low wages, and paying fees when the union was formed. The strike began April 13, 2022, and strikers voted by 97.3-percent on April 19 to continue the strike for another week. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 19: Members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition and their supporters carry signs while picketing during a strike for union recognition on April 19, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University’s administration has said the workers don’t need a union, and has refused to acknowledge it. The graduate workers were unhappy about low wages, and paying fees when the union was formed. The strike began April 13, 2022, and strikers voted by 97.3-percent on April 19 to continue the strike for another week. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 20: Members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition and their supporters picket while striking for union recognition on April 20, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University’s administration has said the workers don’t need a union, and has refused to acknowledge it. The graduate workers were unhappy about low wages, and paying fees when the union was formed. The strike began April 13, 2022, and strikers voted by 97.3-percent on April 19 to continue the strike for another week. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 20: Members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition and their supporters picket while striking for union recognition on April 20, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University’s administration has said the workers don’t need a union, and has refused to acknowledge it. The graduate workers were unhappy about low wages, and paying fees when the union was formed. The strike began April 13, 2022, and strikers voted by 97.3-percent on April 19 to continue the strike for another week. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 20: Members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition and their supporters picket while striking for union recognition on April 20, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University’s administration has said the workers don’t need a union, and has refused to acknowledge it. The graduate workers were unhappy about low wages, and paying fees when the union was formed. The strike began April 13, 2022, and strikers voted by 97.3-percent on April 19 to continue the strike for another week. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 21: Members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition and their supporters picket while striking for union recognition on April 21, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University’s administration has said the workers don’t need a union, and has refused to acknowledge it. The graduate workers were unhappy about low wages, and paying fees when the union was formed. The strike began April 13, 2022, and strikers voted by 97.3-percent on April 19 to continue the strike for another week. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 25: Members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition and their supporters picket outside the Indiana University Office of the Provost while striking for union recognition in Bloomington. Last week the Indiana University provost threatened to fire the striking grad workers, so the grad workers showed up at the office of the provost with their names and dared the provost to fire them. The graduate workers were unhappy about low wages, and paying fees when the union was formed. The strike began April 13, 2022. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 29: Members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition and their supporters picket near the Indiana Memorial Union while striking for union recognition on Friday, April 29, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. Friday was Red Carpet day at IU for incoming freshmen who will start in the fall. The graduate workers have been on strike since April 13, 2022, but IU’s administration has not recognized their union. ( (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 29: Members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition and their supporters picket near the Indiana Memorial Union while striking for union recognition on Friday, April 29, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. Friday was Red Carpet day at IU for incoming freshmen who will start in the fall. The graduate workers have been on strike since April 13, 2022, but IU’s administration has not recognized their union. ( (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 29: Members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition and their supporters picket near the Indiana Memorial Union while striking for union recognition on Friday, April 29, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. Friday was Red Carpet day at IU for incoming freshmen who will start in the fall. The graduate workers have been on strike since April 13, 2022, but IU’s administration has not recognized their union. ( (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – May 05: Indiana Grad Workers and supporters carry picket signs in the rain, Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Bloomington, Indiana. The workers have been on strike for 4 weeks. IU graduation is this weekend. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – May 05: Indiana Grad Workers and supporters carry picket signs in the rain, Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Bloomington, Indiana. The workers have been on strike for 4 weeks. IU graduation is this weekend. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – May 05: Indiana Grad Workers and supporters carry picket signs in the rain, Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Bloomington, Indiana. The workers have been on strike for 4 weeks. IU graduation is this weekend. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA, UNITED STATES – 2022/05/09: Members faculty council draft part of a resolution to be distributed to members before a full faculty meeting, on Monday, May 9, 2022 in Bloomington, Ind. Over 700 faculty members attended the meeting and voted on three resolutions. One resolution was to assure striking students can’t be fired. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA, UNITED STATES – 2022/05/09: Members of the Indiana Grad Workers Coalition hold signs and chant outside the Indiana University Auditorium before members of the faculty council hold a full meeting, on Monday, May 9, 2022 in Bloomington, Ind. Over 700 faculty members attended the meeting and voted on three resolutions. One resolution was to assure striking students can’t be fired. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA, UNITED STATES – 2022/05/09: Members of the Indiana Grad Workers Coalition hold signs and chant outside the Indiana University Auditorium before members of the faculty council hold a full meeting, on Monday, May 9, 2022 in Bloomington, Ind. Over 700 faculty members attended the meeting and voted on three resolutions. One resolution was to assure striking students can’t be fired. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA, UNITED STATES – 2022/05/09: Members of the Indiana Grad Workers Coalition hold signs and chant outside the Indiana University Auditorium before members of the faculty council hold a full meeting, on Monday, May 9, 2022 in Bloomington, Ind. Over 700 faculty members attended the meeting and voted on three resolutions. One resolution was to assure striking students can’t be fired. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
August 11, 2022 – Bloomington, Indiana USA: Former grad student Aranya Lahiri speaks to members of the Indiana Grad Workers Coalition – United Electrical participating in a strike pledge launch rally during an Indiana University board of trustees meeting at Henke Hall in Memorial Stadium Thursday, August 11, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
August 11, 2022 – Bloomington, Indiana USA: IU grad student Michael Johnson, right, speaks to members of the Indiana Grad Workers Coalition – United Electrical participating in a strike pledge launch rally during an Indiana University board of trustees meeting at Henke Hall in Memorial Stadium Thursday, August 11, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
August 11, 2022 – Bloomington, Indiana USA: Members of the Indiana Grad Workers Coalition – United Electrical union stand near a statue of former IU football player George Taliaferro while participating in a strike pledge launch rally during an Indiana University board of trustees meeting at Henke Hall in Memorial Stadium Thursday, August 11, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)

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