My name is Calla Bush St George and I am a sixth-year PhD in Microbiology. I am an Area Lead Steward for Region 1 (CALS Life Sciences departments) and an engaged organizer in our fights across campus. I am proud to be a member of CGSU-UE and I am running for Region 1 Lead Steward on the Build / Activate / Mobilize slate.

As a steward and rank-and-file union member, I have been committed to making union culture the norm, not the exception. I have done this by leading stewarding and departmental trainings to ensure that the union is foundational to being a graduate worker. I’m a leader of CGSU Action Team (CAT), and help run the weekly meeting where we help identify workplace issues, mobilize colleagues, and enforce our contract. During contract bargaining, I attended open-bargaining sessions to defend the rights of my fellow workers when their positions were at risk. I have attended and organized countless phone-banks to help organize workers around every cause and keep members up to date on current issues the union is focusing on. On the social committee, I help to enrich union culture by planning events that strengthen our community. As a current Area Lead Steward, I fight for worker’s rights and ensure Just Cause. Since I have been elected, I have educated members on the rights enshrined in our contract that we are fighting to maintain. This education happens every day, when I represent the union at department coffee hours, while I TA, and when I visit departments to check in on fellow workers. I am passionate about informing workers of their rights, especially when it comes to fighting the boss and standing up for themselves.

As Region 1 Lead Steward, I will be committed to fighting for graduate worker’s rights whether they are here at our university or abroad. I will work with the Local Executive Board and uphold the standards of UE. I will collaborate with all workers and help them speak when they can not.