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✭Impact Bargaining Update✭
Last Thursday (7/16), the GEO bargaining committee returned to the table for the second session of impact bargaining over UMass’ reopening proposal. Ahead of the meeting, GEO passed a second set of proposals, adding to the set that was passed two weeks ago.
We passed proposals on:
- Expanded FMLA events (to include 2 weeks self-quarantine, paid time to take care of children, paid time to take care for someone else subject to quarantine)
- No-cost housing for ResLife GEO members
- Release from requirement to sign UMass Community Agreement as a condition of work
- Employer-covered PPE
- Free COVID Testing for GEO members
- Summer pay Adjustments for international grad Workers w/Visa restrictions and overlapping on campus summer work
- ResLife office space/emergency door access/common space closure
- Campus safety from UMPD and ICE
- PLUS a financial stability proposal for UMass to create its own currency (courtesy of our fellow UAW Union, RAPMU)
Highlights from the Bargaining table:
The bargaining team started with a walk through of the proposals. Sam, lead negotiator this session, covered essential safety protections and benefits for workers on campus. Ian walked the admin through the proposal for UMass to issue credit to/borrow from the Federal Reserve, taking advantage of their municipal bond buying program. This is another example of how UMass admin could avoid austerity. The admin team had only a few questions, and then asked to go into caucus.
When asked about Covid testing, Admin stated that they believe it is unlikely that they can guarantee all people on UMass campus will have tested negative to COVID-19. However, ResLife employees were still being asked to sign the UMass agreement which waived the liability of the University. Indicating from ResLife GEO worker, Tita, ResLife employees are not only working with fewer employees and in a high-risk situation, but they are losing much of their normal paid training time because the semester is starting early.
Regarding GEO’s proposal about international graduate worker pay, which aims to protect international workers from losing income when transitioning from summer to fall semesters early (visa restrictions allow more hours to be worked in the summer semester than in the fall), Admin discussed international workers getting adjustments to their hourly rate to remedy the problem. Anna-Claire, grad student and our union rep, expressed concern about larger paychecks making it look like international grads had worked more hours than they had (as has been an issue in the past). Admin agreed that this was a concern and noted that they are “sensitive” to the issue.
The administrative bargaining team has not yet officially responded to ANY of GEO’s proposals [link for first proposal / second proposal] regarding the reopening. While GEO members see the lives at risk in the reopening plan and the time sensitive nature of our demands, admin seems to have their priorities elsewhere.
✭Racial Justice Coalition @ UMass Amherst✭
The Racial Justice Coalition of UMass Amherst has finalized their demands [link] and submitted them on Monday. The coalition demanded a detailed response from Admin by Thursday 7/30/2020. We urge you to cosign these demands by signing here.
✭Work to Rule Committee Updates✭
The GEO Work to Rule committee is organizing a training today for the Stewards Assembly, and will be sending out an email to membership tomorrow. The Work to Rule Committee will also be hosting a special membership meeting on Wednesday, July 29th, 4-5:30pm, so put it on your calendar now! Zoom link forthcoming.
✭Trans Asylum Network Seeking Short & Long term Housing Sponsors✭
TASSN is searching for 5 long term, supportive, free housing opportunities for compañeras in our Network, otherwise known as sponsorship. We are especially seeking housing in Holyoke, but please apply from anywhere if you are interested. Many of our compas are at different stages in their asylum legal journeys, and thus we need housing ranging from 3 months to 1.5 years. If you are able to provide housing between 1-3 months, please let us know that as well. If you can provide housing between 1 month and 1.5 years, please fill out this form.
No matter the length of the stay, TASSN is committed to guiding you every step of the way, with trainings, meetings, literature, preparing you and supporting you, our compas, and each other as much as possible, until our compas gain full independence and graduate from the Network. Fill out THIS FORM if you can provide housing!
Venmo @transasylumsupport
Checks can be made out to/mailed to:
Trans Asylum Seeker Support Network
PO Box 1572
37 Bridge Street
Northampon, MA
01060-9998
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