Carlos Tkacz
Carlos Tkacz is currently a PhD student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he studies speculative fiction and pop-culture through an ecocritical lens and in the Global Anglophone context. Carlos supports unionizing Graduate Assistants because he believes that workers, no matter their work, deserve increased say in the conditions of their employment. He believes this is especially true in the university setting, where GAs are absolutely essential to the work of education, which in turn is necessary for an equitable and just society.
Laekyn Kelley
Laekyn Kelley is completing her Master of Arts degree at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She researches topics such as electric energy transition discourse and eco-anxiety in the Department of Communication Studies. Laekyn supports Graduate Assistant unionizing because despite our invaluable contributions to the University, graduate student workers face unique power disparities, leading to stagnant pay, delayed benefits, and inconsistent working conditions. She believes we are all stronger together!
Lila Hearn
Lila Hearn is a Ph.D student studying the Enlightenment project, and the relationship between religion and reason in the early modern period. She supports unionization for graduate students because she believes that wages should match the cost of living, and good working conditions are worth fighting for. GA work is integral to the university system’s continued functioning, and that necessary labor should be compensated ethically.
Margaret Johnston
Margaret is a PhD candidate in the Physics and Astronomy department of UNLV studying astrophysics. They’re motivated to form a union of graduate assistants in Nevada because it is the most effective way to secure better compensation, working conditions, and benefits, and to ensure that future needs are met. Margaret understands that relying on the good graces of a friendly administration or waiting for legislative movement isn’t sufficient to meet our needs. A graduate student union with the influence and power to affect university policy and quickly and effectively advocate for our needs is necessary.