Hi there!
Hope you’ve had a good week – we’re writing to you because you missed some or all of the mandatory orientation for graduate employees. The video is now on your union website, find it at the homepage here: https://geouaw.org
Become a GEO member now! SIGN UP HERE.
Why? As a new employee, you join a long legacy of graduate workers before you. The Graduate Employee Organization (GEO; est. 1991) is a union, part of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2322. We bargain directly with the university for our contract, which determines our rights, wages, and benefits in the workplace. GEO members have fought for and won all the benefits that you now enjoy by virtue of your employment, including:
Yearly raises ● Childcare reimbursements ● Protections against overwork ● Grievance procedure ● Tuition waiver ● Transparency in job allocations ● Just Cause for discipline or dismissal ● $190 Wellness reimbursement ● Anti-discrimination protections ● Payouts for refused vacation time ● Discounted parking ● Resources and protections for internationals
This year is a bargaining year. Our contract has technically “expired” as of Aug 31, 2020. What that means is that we are all still covered by the expired contract, but we also bear the responsibility of doing our bit for bargaining this year. We are two of many union reps who are here to support you in fighting for the best contract for you. While we all have many good benefits, there are many ways in which we must fight for better protections, healthcare and leave, wages, fee reductions, and many more important issues. Don’t just enjoy these benefits for free. What can you do to make sure that your employment is secure, and your benefits strong?
The reason we are able to keep these benefits is because of the number of members we have. Your membership directly affects your contract. This is all possible through your participation and financial contribution via “union dues” as a member of GEO. As a member you have the right to vote and decide how your money gets spent, while contributing to the infrastructure that makes your wages and benefits possible. For detailed information about how that money is used and everything else related to union business, visit the website: https://geouaw.org
Become a GEO member now! SIGN UP HERE.
Best regards,
GEO Co-Chairs, Dora & Jyoti
