Grievances

As someone working in a GEO position, you have a number of rights and protections that non-union workers do not have. These come from your union contract! If the employer violates your contract, you have real recourse through the grievance procedure.

A grievance is a legal complaint that the employer has violated the contract, state, or federal law, their own policies, or deviated from long-standing past practices in a workplace. Grievances can be filed by individuals OR on behalf of a group of workers.

Some common examples of contract violations include:

1. Late pay due to delays in processing contracts
2. Delays in processing workplace accessibility accommodations
3. Harassment and sexual harassment
4. Overwork
5. Misclassification of GEO positions as “grad hourly”
6. Wrongful/unilateral termination or disciplinary action
7. Unsafe workplaces (i.e. overheated buildings, pest infestations, mold, leaky ceilings, etc.)
8. Wrongful exclusion of some “non-working” fellowships, including traineeship grants, from GEO

Please note that it is illegal and a violation of our contract to retaliate against ANYONE for filing a grievance. So if you suspect your rights or someone else’s rights in your department are being violated, get in touch with your steward, the grievance coordinator, and/or GEO leadership right away!