Fellow workers,
As we are soon transitioning to a new slate of leadership, and going into a new round of bargaining with the university, the current leadership will be hosting a discussion at the next General Membership Meeting to talk about what an equitable and anti-racist campus could look like, and how we can build our union to carry out that vision. Our goal for this discussion is to highlight ongoing work and inspire new initiatives that build power for graduate students to fight racism and anti-Blackness at UMass, and to motivate members to see themselves as leaders in these initiatives.
Our next membership meeting will be on April 11th, from 5-7 PM in Campus Center 163C and on Zoom.
In the recent Issue Survey, we asked how GEO could better support the needs and interests of BIPOC students. One of the most common responses was to have more BIPOC students in leadership roles. With our upcoming officer elections, we strongly encourage Black GEO members, POC, international students, and others who are passionate about making GEO an anti-racist space to nominate yourself or someone else for a position. If you are interested in running and are hesitant, take this as your sign to pursue a role in leadership, and please reach out to us if you have questions.
The deadline for nominations is April 16th.
As a labor union, we are committed to pursuing economic justice for all and enforcing the benefits and protections in our contract. The shortcomings of our wins in these spheres are felt deeply by our Black, POC, and International colleagues. We also recognize that pursuing an anti-racist mission means fighting injustices beyond economics, including greater vigilance around grievances of discrimination and harassment, and supporting Black-led anti-racist organizing that is already happening in the campus community and throughout the Pioneer Valley.
In addition to running for elected positions, there are plenty of other ways to get involved and help guide the direction of GEO’s campaigns and initiatives, including joining our Organizing Committee (meets Mondays 5:30-7 in Campus Center 915 and on Zoom), Abolition Committee, International Student Caucus, or starting your own committee or caucus. The outgoing GEO officers and the UAW staff will support you in taking on these new responsibilities. If you have a vision, are committed to fostering rank-and-file grassroots initiatives, and want to contribute to existing efforts, we need you as a union leader.
GEO is at heart a member-led, member-driven organization, and we as members have the power to effect change and make the organization what we want it to be. We always welcome input and involvement, and we invite all of our members to join us in proactively working toward these goals.
In solidarity,
GEO Leadership
