Dear members,
Just a few minutes ago the bargaining committee (elected bargaining representatives and officers + rank and file members) have sent out a short and non-comprehensive set of proposals (a ‘mini deal’) to the administration with A view to lock-in some of the progress made in this protracted impact bargaining cycle.
It is important that you take a moment to read this short document and view the attached update. Here is a video version.
Please send any feedback you have to the bargaining committee (bargaining). We are hosting an open meeting for members to talk to each other, ask questions, and offer feedback:Friday January 29, 2021
https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/92064894368
Video transcript:
Hello GEO members! This is Melanie [and David] from the GEO bargaining committee.
We wanted to let you know that, just a few minutes ago, the bargaining committee sent an important, but non-comprehensive proposal, or “Mini Deal” to the UMass administration for Spring Impact bargaining.
We are hoping to lock in some important wins that we have achieved at the bargaining table thus far. This way, these wins can benefit members soon, as the Spring Semester is starting just next week. These wins include a 60k childcare and technology fund and a continuation of some of the FMLA wins we got last semester.
This is not necessarily the end of Spring impact bargaining. First, the administration will likely come back with a counter, and we will likely have to make some hard decisions about what to fight for in order to come to an agreement with the University. Second, as this proposal is non-comprehensive, we have the right to continue bargaining over other issues which members are willing to fight for.
We urge you to get involved. To that end, we are having an impromptu Zoom membership meeting this Friday, January 29th, at 11am. We would love to hear your input on the mini-deal and on how we should move forward.
Hope to see you all soon!
