Fellow workers,
On Monday, January 22, the GEO bargaining committee, along with over 50 GEO rank-and-file members, sat down at negotiations with the University’s bargaining team. This session was used to ask questions and attempt to clarify management’s position on counter-proposals that they have previously passed. When asked for information about the University’s policies and practices around bulletin boards and the mandatory new employee orientation among many other things. Management answered some of our questions, but repeatedly told us they didn’t want to discuss these topics with us until we passed our formal counter-proposals to them.
If you are interested in writing counter-proposals, strategizing for the next bargaining session, or otherwise trying to get more involved in the process, come to the next bargaining committee meeting Monday Jan. 29th at 1:30 over Zoom. (You can find the zoom link here.) We will be talking collectively about how we feel about management’s proposals and making plans to draft our counters, so if you’re looking for ways to get involved in the bargaining process, this is the meeting to attend!
This was also the first session since the administration passed us an informal counter to our wage proposal, along with a slate of “economic” proposals that they tied together in a conditional package. When asked to clarify exactly which articles were in this package we were told that it included articles 32, 33, 34 and 35. All proposed language from both GEO and admin can be found on the GEO bargaining tracker, and a summary of the University’s recent counter package can be found here.
The next bargaining session will be on Friday February 9th from 10-12 (room TBD). We will be presenting formal counters to the administration’s proposals and making our case for our demands, so mark your calendars and make a plan to attend this meeting!
In the meantime, you can show your support for the union’s proposals –by SIGNING THIS PETITION: UMASS AMHERST GRAD STUDENTS DEMAND A LIVING WAGE
Graduate student workers at UMass Amherst are bargaining for a living wage and fair working conditions. The administration has thus far offered wage increases that do not keep up with the rising levels of inflation and costs of living.
GEO-UAW Local 2322 is asking our members and community members to sign the petition, that over 600 GEO members have already signed, to demonstrate our strength and support of 25% wage increase, $400/month housing stipend, and more. So please sign it and share with your friends and coworkers!
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In solidarity, GEO Leadership
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