Fellow workers,

GEO’s Bargaining Committee is extremely pleased to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement on our next contract! After nearly 11 months of bargaining with the university, over a contract that is nearly 2 years expired, dozens of GEO members met with the administration today to finalize our negotiations. We finalized 7.69% wage increases (more than $2/hour!) with substantial retropay, the inclusion of ‘non-working’ fellows in the bargaining unit, and a 50% waiver of the graduate service fee – all to go into effect this semester. These build on our previous wins – some of which are outlined below:

• $100,000 more in childcare contributions to the Health and Welfare Trust Fund

• Access to reasonable lactation accommodations for our members

• Inclusion of caste as a category protected from discrimination and harassment

• Extra paid time off for visa/immigration processes and bereavement

• Up to $500 dollars paid out to those currently in GEO-protected positions – even incoming graduate students

• And so much more!

We also managed to conclude this cycle of bargaining without accepting any of the various concessions management brought to us throughout this process.

Before the new contract goes into effect, the membership has to vote to ratify it. As part of this process, all GEO members will have the opportunity to review the new language and cast their vote for or against accepting them. We will give a fuller overview of the process at our upcoming membership meeting on Tuesday, September 13, from 4-6pm in Herter 601!

Suffice it to say, the elected Bargaining Committee believes that the tentative agreement we’ve made reflects the needs of GEO members across campus. It also represents a step toward a more equitable, accessible, and just UMass. Most of all, it clarifies who has the power on this campus: not the administrators, but the workers. We kept this university afloat during the pandemic, and we’ve taken action time and time again in order to keep UMass accountable to its pledge to “Be Revolutionary.” Ultimately this contract is the result of YOUR hard work, solidarity, and actions over the last two years. If you haven’t joined GEO yet or would like to get involved now’s the time; these wins are only possible when we all contribute!

We intend to release a detailed outline of the changes to the contract in the coming days. Keep your eyes peeled on your email and social media for more information. And join us at the membership meeting to get a thorough rundown of the agreement and the process of implementing it.

You can always reach the Bargaining Committee at bargaining.

Victory through Solidarity,

The GEO Bargaining Committee