ARE YOU STRUGGLING WITH CHILDCARE?
GEO leadership and the bargaining committee recognize that many of our members have already been juggling work and childcare in unprecedented ways since the closure of daycares and k-12 schools due to COVID. Many of us are still facing more of the same, as many schools have remained shuttered. We have recently found out that the CEEC on campus has reduced their daycare and will not be offering (for now) the flexcare that accommodated grad student parents. We want to hear from you and understand what you are dealing with so your Union can fight for better for you!
**Please fill out this survey so we can learn more.**
IMPACT BARGAINING TOMORROW (THURSDAY, 8/13 from 4-5pm)
GEO continues to impact bargain over the Chancellor’s original reopening plan and changes to the working conditions of our members which are still relevant, in light of the new reopening plan (announced Friday). We have another session tomorrow at 4pm, but are asking our members to caucus with us at 3:30pm to prepare. We only have one hour at the bargaining table, so we are hoping to settle some of the contract language management has progressed on, in particular temporarily expanded FMLA qualifying events (related to COVID), temporarily suspended employment history requirements for COVID-related FMLA, and a proposal for university-covered PPE for onsite workers.
Link for 3:30pm Caucus: Check your email for Zoom link!
Link for 4pm Bargaining Session: Check your email for Zoom link!
NEW REOPENING PLAN and SOLIDARITY with RAPMU
As many of you know that the reopening plan has changed drastically according to the email sent out to UMass Community recently from the Chancellor. While the change of the reopening plan is a win for the unions regarding health and safety, we condemn the short notice and the brutality of management’s heretofore refusal to honor the RAPMU layoff language, which leaves many of the Resident Assistants and Peer Mentors jobless and homeless. Instead of working with the Unions from the beginning, the decision made by university administration, in the manner it was, constitutes union-busting. Please refer to our email from Friday about how to support RAPMU at this time, and follow them on Instagram to learn more about why they are camping out on the Chancellor’s lawn and what supplies they need. You can venmo: @campnewnormal (enter 4925 as last four digits) to send $ for food and supplies.
The RAPMU layoff is not an isolated incident. It serves as a signal to all of us: how easily and quickly the administration turns on the workers who are the backbone of this university! GEO will need to impact bargain AGAIN over these new changes, and so far we have not heard anything from the university’s representatives about how this will impact our membership’s working conditions. 
REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION
Daily prizes for participants and social media shares: gift cards to Amherst Coffee, Adkins Farms, Powell’s Books, UMass Dining, electric toothbrush, Sanctuary Yoga 10 class card, Fitbit Versa II and more! More info at uawumasstrustfund.org or (413) 345-2156
GEO ABOLITION WORKING GROUP
Our Abolition Working Group has begun to meet weekly. Topics of conversation include defunding and disarming UMPD, the larger meaning of abolition at a university, and more! Join our discussion and get involved with educational campaign planning!
We meet every Thursday at 2 pm.
Zoom link: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/94368090582
NEW UMASS INTERNATIONAL GRAD WORKER COALITION
There is a new international grad worker coalition between UMass Amherst, Lowell and Boston GEOs seeking clarity and greater support for international grad workers in light of the recent reinstatement of pre-COVID ICE regulations/guidelines for grad students/workers. The UAW Regional leadership have sent a letter to President Marty Meehan and the UMass system’s general counsel, demanding a meeting to discuss these issues. If you are interested in joining these efforts, please email us at info@geouaw.org.
GEO is still seeking nominations for co-chairs for the International and ALANA Caucus. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else, please email us as soon as possible!
SOLIDARITY WITH UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA GRAD ASSISTANTS
Thanks to our member, Quinnehtukqut from Psychology for bringing this to our attention! USF grad workers are fighting low wages and high fees against a hostile anti-union administration.
This is our solidarity statement for USF GAU.
