Guild of Autistic Self-Advocate Staff (GASS)

Guild of Autistic Self-Advocate Staff (GASS)

@autisticstaffguild.bsky.social

“Nothing about us without us” includes us! https://cwalocals.org/gass (formerly known as ASAU)

1,058 Followers 64 Following 48 Posts Joined Oct 2024
Posts Following
6 days ago
Light blue gradient background. There’s an illustration of a blue ice cube melting. Large blue text at the top read: Abolish ICE. Text below reads: Full plain language statement on website. The GASS logo is at the bottom. Light blue background. Text inside a dark blue box reads: The Guild of Autistic Self-Advocate Staff (GASS) wrote a plain language statement about ICE. You can read our full statement on our website. This post will have excerpts from the statement. Text below reads: ICE stands for “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement”. ICE is the part of the government in charge of trying to find undocumented people and make them leave the United States. Undocumented means someone does not have the government papers that say they are allowed to live in the U.S. GASS wants ICE to be abolished. To abolish something means to end or get rid of it. GASS wants the U.S. government to get rid of ICE. Light blue background. Text reads: ICE is more likely to hurt people with disabilities. It is wrong that ICE is more likely to hurt people with disabilities. ICE also specifically hurts autistic people. Some ways that ICE hurt autistic people recently are: ICE detained an autistic teenager in Houston, without telling his mother. ICE kept an autistic five year old outside to force her father to come out, so ICE could detain him. ICE dragged an autistic woman out of her car. ICE hurts people in ways that give them disabilities, or makes their disabilities worse. For example, sometimes people protest against ICE. ICE disables protestors by hurting their bodies with things like rubber bullets or tear gas. ICE causes disabilities when they don’t give health care to the people they detain. People can also die from not getting the health care they need. For example, many children detained by ICE died from getting sick. But if they had medicine, the children could have gotten better. Light blue background. Text inside a dark blue box reads: It is wrong that many other disability advocacy groups stay silent about ICE. Some disability advocacy groups will say ICE is bad, but don’t say ICE should be abolished. GASS thinks it is important to share all of what we believe. GASS knows that there is no way to make ICE better or more fair. Giving ICE more training or less money from the government won’t make ICE stop hurting people. That is because ICE’s goal is to get rid of people of color in the U.S. ICE will keep hurting and killing people of color to try and achieve that goal. So GASS believes that ICE must be abolished.

The Guild of Autistic Self-Advocate Staff (GASS) says: Abolish ICE! Read our full plain language statement: cwalocals.org/gass/abolish...

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1 month ago
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"These practices must end now."

Aliya Rahman, a U.S. citizen who was dragged from a car by ICE agents in Minnesota, speaks out at a congressional hearing on DHS immigration enforcement tactics.

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1 month ago
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Guild member detained by ICE in Minnesota | The NewsGuild - TNG-CWA On Friday, January 9, ICE arrested a member of our union, the Minnesota Newspaper and Communications Guild, as part of Operation Metro Surge.

On Friday, January 9, ICE arrested a member of our union, the Minnesota Newspaper and Communications Guild, as part of Operation Metro Surge.

He has been transferred to a detention facility in Texas, where he is awaiting action on his petition for habeas corpus.

newsguild.org/guild-member...

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5 months ago
Black text in a white box over a colorful background reads "Probationary Periods and Why They Suck. A probationary period is a specific time when a worker starts their new job. Probationary periods can last different amounts of time. They can be two months, six months, one year, or another amount of time. Probationary employees are workers in a probation period. During a probationary period, new workers do not get as many protections from their labor union. Unions have rules about what happens when union members get in trouble at work. Unions also have rules about what happens when union members get fired. These rules help make sure union members are treated fairly. But bosses do not have to follow these rules for a new worker in a probationary period. That is unfair." The GASS logo appears at the bottom.

A probationary period is a specific time when a worker starts their new job. Learn more about probationary periods and why they are unfair here: cwalocals.org/gass/probati...

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6 months ago
A graphic with a colorful background and a white box. The header says, "What is a Union? Words to Know" The bulleted list says, "Bargaining: coming up with a contract for the workers and management at the place you work. Bargaining committee: members of the union who help write the contract and meet with management. Collective bargaining: the right to negotiate with management to make a contract. Discipline meeting: a meeting where management talks to you about something they think you did wrong at work. Negotiate: trying to make an agreement with someone. Organize: start a union with your co-workers. Union: a group of workers who come together to protect their rights at work. Wall to wall union: a kind of union where everyone who works at the place you work can be a part of it." A graphic with a colorful background and a white box. The header says "What is a union?" The rest of the text says, "A union is a group of workers who come together to protect their rights at work. Some people think a union is a group from outside a workplace. They think a union will stop workers from talking to their employers. This is not true. Workers form unions. The people in a union all work together. An employer is someone who pays you to do work. Some employers say that unions are not important today. That is not true. People who are in charge of businesses also negotiate their contracts like unions. Negotiating means trying to make an agreement with someone. Both contracts talk about things like how much you get paid, when you work, what happens if you get in trouble at work, what happens if you get fired, what happens if you retire, what happens when you are sick, what happens when you want to take a vacation, how your employer will protect you, and more" A graphic with a colorful background and a white box. The text says, "It should not be different for workers! Workers should not have fewer rights. Having a union is the only way to negotiate a contract and make our jobs a better place. Some unions include all the people who work somewhere. Other unions are just for people who work in a specific part of the company. For example, the Guild of Autistic Self-Advocate Staff (GASS) is a wall to wall union. A wall to wall union means that everyone who works at the place you work can be a part of it. Workers get a lot of important rights when we form a union. One of the most important rights we get is the right to collective bargaining. Bargaining means coming up with a contract for the workers and management at the place you work. Collective bargaining is the right to negotiate with management to make a contract. The law says your employer has to bargain with you and your co-workers after you organize. Text says, "Organizing here means starting a union with your co-workers. It can take a long time to win your first contract. Sometimes a contract can take weeks, months, or even years. The bargaining committee meets with management to bargain. The bargaining committee are members of the union. They help write the contract and meet with management. After the bargaining committee and the employer agree on a contract, your union will vote. If your union votes for the contract, your employer cannot change your contract or take it away. The law says your employer has to follow the contract. If your workplace already has a union and you have a question, you can talk to a steward. Stewards are union members who get extra training about management. They help other members of the union. A steward is a good person to ask to join a discipline meeting. A discipline meeting is a meeting where management talks to you about something they think you did wrong at work." The GASS logo is on the bottom.

💡 What is a labor union? What rights do workers get when they form a labor union? We made a plain language guide that talks about what a labor union is and why they matter. Check it out below!

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7 months ago
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Bargaining Pledge Formal LanguagePlain LanguageBargaining Pledge (Formal Language) — May 2025Audio version:

Our second bargaining meeting begins today! Bargaining is when a labor union and their bosses set rules to make the workplace fair. We are excited to keep going. And we will keep the community updated on our progress! Learn more here: cwalocals.org/gass/pledge

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9 months ago
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SOS! the volunteers on 'Madleen' have been kidnapped by Israeli forces.

Greta Thunberg is a Swedish citizen.

Pressure the foreign ministries and help us keep Greta safe!

Web: government.se/contacts/

X : @SweMFA

FB : @SweMFA

IG : swedishmfa

#AllEyesOnMadleen

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9 months ago
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9 months ago
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🚨 Big news: GASS just kicked off our first bargaining session on May 27th! 💥

Our bargaining committee is ready to fight for what matters to all of us. It might take time — but we’re in it together. ✊

Every member of GASS believes in this pledge! 💪 #UnionStrong

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9 months ago
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GASS’s Plain Language Solidarity Statement with Palestine Table of ContentsWords to KnowWho Wrote This Statement?What Is This Statement About?

Disability justice and Palestinian liberation are connected! Genocide causes many people to become disabled. Learn more with our plain language statement: cwalocals.org/gass/palesti...

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9 months ago
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GASS’s Plain Language Solidarity Statement with Palestine Table of ContentsWords to KnowWho Wrote This Statement?What Is This Statement About?

Today is Nakba Day. Nakba means catastrophe in Arabic. The Nakba refers to the mass removal of Palestinians from their homeland. We are in solidarity with Palestinian liberation. Read our plain language solidarity statement here: cwalocals.org/gass/palesti...

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9 months ago
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GASS’s Plain Language Solidarity Statement with Palestine Table of ContentsWords to KnowWho Wrote This Statement?What Is This Statement About?

The Guild of Autistic Self-Advocate Staff (GASS) says: Free Palestine! Read our full plain language solidarity statement: cwalocals.org/gass/palesti...

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10 months ago
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Join the GASS Email List! The Guild of Autistic Self-Advocates (GASS) has a lot of excitement on the horizon as we continue our work to bargain for a fair contract, build solidarity with other workers, and create resources to…

The Guild of Autistic Self-Advocate Staff (GASS) will be making exciting announcements soon. Be the first to learn about it by signing up for our newsletter: actionnetwork.org/forms/join-t...

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10 months ago
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Join the GASS Email List! The Guild of Autistic Self-Advocates (GASS) has a lot of excitement on the horizon as we continue our work to bargain for a fair contract, build solidarity with other workers, and create resources to…

Do you want updates about what's happening with the Guild of Autistic Self-Advocate Staff (GASS)? Sign up for our newsletter: actionnetwork.org/forms/join-t...

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10 months ago

Every worker deserves a voice. Today, we celebrate a big win: ALL of our members are now officially part of our union.

We’re now the Guild of Autistic Self-Advocate Staff (GASS)—and we’re just getting started. #SolidarityForever #CookingWithGASS

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10 months ago

We’re proud to share that the Guild of Autistic Self-Advocate Staff (formerly ASAU) is moving forward united and stronger than ever.

💥 New name
💥 New logo
💥 Full bargaining unit recognized
Thank you to everyone who had our backs. 💜#SolidarityForever

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10 months ago

🎉 Big news from our union: We have a new name — Guild of Autistic Self-Advocate Staff (GASS) — and a major win. Our full bargaining unit, including previously disputed members, is now officially recognized! Solidarity works. 💪 #SolidarityForever #CookingWithGASS

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1 year ago

We look forward to bargaining towards a fair a contract, where we can work to make improvements so that we can better serve our community!

Thank you to everyone who has signed our petition, shared our posts, sent us messages of support! Your solidarity means so much to us!

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1 year ago
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Petition: Help Us Keep Our Union United! The Autistic Self Advocacy Union is thrilled to share that we have been granted voluntary recognition, but ASAN's leaders are trying to weaken our union by disputing the inclusion of three members.…

We are still collecting signatures to encourage them to do the right thing and stop disputing those members. Please sign here and share the petition: https://buff.ly/3E7moUS)

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1 year ago

One month ago, we publicly launched ASAU! And while we were excited to quickly gain voluntary recognition, we have been disappointed in ASAN’s leadership for disputing the inclusion of 3 of our members.

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1 year ago
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Call: Reinstate National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) member Gwen Wilcox On Jan. 27, President Trump fired NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox, the first Black woman to serve on the board. This move is illegal and will have immediate consequences for working people. By leaving…

On Jan. 27, President Trump fired NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox, the first Black woman to serve on the board. This move is illegal and will have immediate consequences for working people. Take action against this injustice now:

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1 year ago
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Trump fires first Black woman on NLRB, destroying its decision-making authority | The NewsGuild - TNG-CWA

🚨: Trump just fired Gwynne Wilcox, the first Black woman on the NLRB, illegally stripping the agency of its decision-making power.

Wilcox is suing to be reinstated and restore worker protections.

newsguild.org/trump-destro...

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1 year ago
Image of a hand in motion towards a big blue button. Text above the image reads: ASAN Leadership decking how to respond to their workers unionizing. Text on the blue button reads: Hire Union Busting Law Firm

Sign our petition to keep our union united! https://buff.ly/4jyAcIn

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1 year ago
There’s a 4 panel Marie Condo meme. First panel is a picture of an Asian woman wearing a white outfit sitting on the couch with her hands out in front of her. Text reads: This one does not spark joy. Second panel is the ASAU logo with parts of it fading away. Text reads: ASAN leadership arguing to exclude 25% of ASAU. Third panel is a picture of the Asian woman smiling on the same couch with her hands clasped in front of her. Text reads: This one sparks joy. Fourth panel: the ASAU logo without any fading. Text reads: ASAU with all of our members included.

Solidarity sparks joy. Union busting does not. https://buff.ly/4jyAcIn

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1 year ago
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Petition: Help Us Keep Our Union United! The Autistic Self Advocacy Union is thrilled to share that we have been granted voluntary recognition, but ASAN's leaders are trying to weaken our union by disputing the inclusion of three members.…

ASAN is trying to stop 3 staff from joining ASAU. Sign our petition to show support for a fully united ASAU!

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1 year ago
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Petition: Help Us Keep Our Union United! The Autistic Self Advocacy Union is thrilled to share that we have been granted voluntary recognition, but ASAN's leaders are trying to weaken our union by disputing the inclusion of three members.…

Union busting is disgusting! Sign ASAU’s petition to tell ASAN leadership to stop union busting and let all ASAN workers join ASAU!

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1 year ago
Title text says "Types of Headaches" with four examples illustrated with a head and red coloring showing where the pain is. Migraine is shown with a red spot near the eye and the top front of the head. Hypertension is shown with red on the back of the skull. Stress is shown with red wrapped around the forehead to the back of the head. "Dealing with union busting" has a full red colored head.

Memes help with certain types of headaches...

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1 year ago
Meme from the squid games. First panel is an Asian man smiling with long hair. Text reads: Learning ASAN Leadership is going to voluntarily recognize our union. The second panel is him with short hair frowning and glaring at the camera. Text reads: Learning ASAN Leadership hired a known union busting law firm to try to shrink our bargaining unit.

https://buff.ly/3E7moUS

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1 year ago
Four panel meme drawing, labelled "ASAN Leadership." First panel is a green figure iwth a hat in a cave opening a chest, saying "I've finally found it...after 15 years." Second panel is the same being pulling out a shining scroll and saying, "The scroll of truth!" Third panel is the scroll unraveled and it says, "Workers organizing show they care deeply about their work and their community they serve, not that they're trying to harm the organization." Fourth panel, the figure throws the scroll and yells, "Nyehhh."

Nyehhh! https://buff.ly/3E7moUS

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1 year ago
Four panel meme from Star Wars. First panel is a picture of Anakin (white man with a long small braid in front of green grass). He is labelled ASAN Leadership. He says, "We'll voluntarily recognize ASAU." Second panel is Padme, a white woman with hair in two sidebuns. She is smiling. She is labelled ASAU. She says, "So you'll recognize all of us as part of ASAU and not to try fight us on who is in the union?" Third panel is a zoomed in image of Anakin looking serious. Fourth panel is is Padme, no longer smiling. She says, "You'll recognize all of us, right?"

Right???

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