Hi fellow workers,
We hope the semester is going well. Read on for updates on caucuses, committees and union events!
CHANCELLOR REYES AGREED TO MEET US
GEO held a rally on the 15th of September for a fair contract. As part of this action, we marched to Chancellor Reyes’ office in Whitmore and asked to meet with him. This was the second time we asked to meet with the new chancellor, and the second time that he refused to talk to GEO. However, following our demonstration of collective force in the rally (as well as in an impromptu sit-in outside Reyes’ office by over 50 GEO members), Chancellor Reyes has agreed to meet with GEO leadership later this month. We intend to ask him to meet with the general membership of GEO so he can hear directly from grad workers what we need and want in order to make UMass into a “destination of choice” for higher education.
BARGAINING TOWN HALL
On Thursday, October 5th, GEO will hold a town hall meeting for all members who wish to meet and discuss issues important to them. As we move into successor bargaining, it’s critical that we articulate a clear vision for a just, fair UMass Amherst, and to do that we’ll need to lift up as many voices as possible across our union. If there is anything you want to change about your workplace, or if you just want to hear from your fellow workers about the challenges they’re facing (and to make a plan to address those challenges!), please join us in Campus Center 168 from 5-7pm.
PAYROLL DEDUCTION
We continue to hear from members about difficulties they’re experiencing with signing up for payroll deduction, among other problems with bursar’s bills not accurately reflecting grad workers’ GEO benefits. We have repeatedly raised these issues with management, but solutions have not been forthcoming. The administration has not even agreed to send out a mass email informing eligible grad workers of the delays in processing. We are urging everyone NOT to pay any bills that are excessively high, and to continue trying to enroll in payroll deduction. If you’re not able to sign up by the deadline of October 17, we also urge you not to pay any late fees you are assessed and to contact GEO immediately. Our members should not and will not foot the bill for UMass’ incompetence and mismanagement. We will assertively challenge any late fees imposed on our members as a result of these administrative failings.
BARGAINING COMMITTEE
The next bargaining session is on October 16, room TBA. We have had strong showings at our bargaining sessions so far and we need to continue to show up for one another as the process unfolds. We’re serious about winning a fair contract that meets our needs
We need to continue to make strong showings at these meetings to affirm our strength and signal our seriousness about winning a fair contract that meets our needs.
GEO’s Bargaining committee will meet this Thursday from 9-11am in person and via bargaining to get involved in researching UMass finances and other topics in support of bargaining. This meeting time is subject to change as we are holding elections for several vacancies on the bargaining committee, so if you can’t make it, don’t worry: we’ll be picking a new time very soon! But also, if you can’t make another meeting but want to get involved, email bargaining and we’ll figure something out.
Additionally, there are several open positions (some paid, some unpaid) on GEO’s bargaining committee! See the call for nominations elections and steering. The deadline is October 6 at 11:59pm.
ABOLITION COMMITTEE
The next meeting of the Abolition committee will be next week on Wednesday, October 11 from 3:00-4:30pm. Abolition committee meetings are held every two weeks and will typically be hybrid. If you have any questions or want the zoom link/room information, please email tljames
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Organizing committee meets every Monday from 4-5:30pm in Campus Center 915 and over Zoom. Want to get more involved? Follow us on slack to get the link or email tmorrison
GEO WRITTEN TESTIMONIALS
If you’re uncomfortable sitting behind a camera and recording a video testimonial for why you joined GEO, no worries! We have an alternative option for folks who want to participate.
In the provided google form, please fill in whichever question you want to answer about why YOU joined the union and the various ways you have been involved. We’d love to hear from you so please share your thoughts!
Please fill out the form here!
