Congratulations to the University of Maine Graduate Student Union on their first contract with the university system!! After years of negotiations and patience, the graduate students won greater recognition of their critical role as university employees, with that gratitude expressed as a livable wage (stipends had not increased in the 7 years I have been at UMaine despite the pandemic and cost of living inflation), partial health insurance coverage (costs were creeping up to 20% of their annual salary), partial dental coverage (they had no dental before), and tuition remission for select majors (to facilitate some much needed workforce development in Maine).