Fellow workers,

We are writing to announce that nominations are now open for an interim GEO officer position and for positions on GEO’s Bargaining Committee! Please see below for the nomination call for all of these positions, including information about the positions and the nomination and election process. Any full member in good standing may nominate themselves or another member in good standing for any of these positions. All positions will begin immediately upon conclusion of the election at the first general membership meeting of the semester: February 8 from 5-7pm.

The interim Membership Organizer will serve for the spring semester and will be up for re-election during the regular spring elections of officers. All Bargaining Committee positions shall continue through the end of the semester in which contract negotiations conclude, or upon resignation. The four paid coordinator positions are fully benefited, 10-hour GEO positions paid at the GEO minimum rate. (In the past committee members have also opted to shift the assistantships around among at-large volunteers so that everyone receives support as needed to remain involved in the bargaining process.)

Nominations are now open for:

• 1 interim Membership Organizer (19-week, 20h/week contract)

• 2 Bargaining Committee Research and Proposal Coordinators (10h/week contract)

• 2 Bargaining Committee Organizing and Mobilization Coordinators (10h/week contract)

• At-large Bargaining Committee Members (5 at-large positions)

Membership Organizer (1)

GEO officers (the co-chairs, mobilization coordinator, membership organizer, and grievance coordinator) are paid through the Provost’s Office as graduate assistantships. In our last round of contract negotiations, GEO won a sixth paid staff position, expanding on our historic wins in previous rounds of bargaining and increasing our organizing capacity. At the general membership meeting on November 8, 2022, GEO members voted to make this position another Membership Organizer (which was the position we added in 2018 when we ratified our last contract). The following position description was affirmed by a vote of the membership at the meeting, but has not yet been incorporated into our bylaws:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: assisting with membership drives and engaging in consistent field work; coordinating event, workshops that develop increased membership participation and new organizers; recruiting, organizing and overseeing the election of Stewards in departments and/or work sites; fostering stewardship through one-on-one meetings; attending General Membership and Assembly of Stewards meetings; develop awareness of the various issues affecting graduate workers – especially those affecting students of color, international students, and student with families – and build organizing infrastructure for these issues; fostering and engaging in organizing projects around permissive subjects of bargaining, e.g. housing, immigration, accessibility, anti-sexism and anti-racism, and liaise with already-existing organizations involved in these spheres; expanding our capacity to meet the needs and interests of underrepresented groups are being met by the union, e.g. making accessible GEO events, spaces and information; ensuring that those attending GEO Membership Meetings and Steward’s Assembly are members; organizing and coordinating departmental orientation schedule; maintaining accurate membership lists; assuming duties of the Mobilization Coordinator if they are unavailable; and assisting the union in achieving its overall mission in the workplace.

The Bargaining Committee (9 positions)

The bargaining committee will consist of the four elected bargaining members, alternate members, and the GEO staff. The bargaining committee members will elect its chief and co-chief negotiators. All members of the bargaining committee are to serve throughout the duration of a contract negotiation and will not need to be re-elected in the event that contract negotiations are extended beyond a year. Membership will have ultimate oversight over the bargaining committee and the committee answers to and is in service to the membership. The bargaining committee’s responsibility is to assess the needs of the membership prior to negotiations and make them transparent regularly via the GEO website. (from the GEO Bylaws)

When nominating yourself for the Bargaining Committee, please specify which position you are running for (descriptions below):

1. Bargaining Research & Proposal Coordinators (2 positions): The two Bargaining Research & Proposal Coordinators will focus on researching, drafting, discussing, and writing our contract proposals for negotiations. These elected members will also help argue for our proposals at the bargaining table with the administration. Paid GEO Bargaining team members are expected to make Bargaining-related trainings and meetings that have been scheduled (around team members’ availability). These elected members will also serve as the liaison between the negotiating/research group, and will be in regular communication with the existing listserv of members who have signed up to be active on this committee and the bargaining committee.

2. Bargaining Organizing & Mobilization Coordinators (2 positions): The two Bargaining Organizing & Mobilization Coordinators will focus on organizing members around their issues/concerns. These elected members are responsible for involving more members in the bargaining process and recruiting members to speak at the bargaining table (to administration) and for actions around contract negotiations. Paid GEO Bargaining team members are expected to make Bargaining-related trainings and meetings that have been scheduled (around team members’ availability). These elected members will also serve as the liaison between the campaigning/organizing group and will be in regular communication with stewards, the existing listserv of members who have signed up to be active on this committee, and the bargaining committee.

3. At-Large member (5 unpaid and unlimited alternate volunteer positions): If you wish to be an at-large member of the Bargaining Committee, you may nominate yourself by email or at the membership meeting on February 8, 2023 from 5-7pm. If you are unable to attend that meeting, you may send your nomination along with a short statement to elections to be read at the meeting.

NOMINATIONS PROCESS

To nominate yourself or someone else, write to GEO’s Steering Committee at steering AND GEO’s Elections Committee at elections. (Be sure to write to both committees!) Any full member in good standing may nominate someone, including themself, for any of the positions outlined above. Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. on January 24, 2023; at that point all candidates will receive further instructions from the Elections Committee regarding candidate statements, campaign materials and election rules. The election will be held in the days leading up to and including the Feb. 8 membership meeting. More details about dates, times, locations, and modality of voting will be distributed after nominations close.

If you have any questions regarding the elections or nominations processes, rules, regulations, or about your membership status/eligibility to run or vote, please do not hesitate to email the Elections Committee at elections.

In solidarity,
GEO Elections Committee