Hi fellow workers!
We hope you had a good weekend despite the rain. Read on for some important updates such as our bargaining session and steward assembly TODAY, caucus and committee meetings this week and more!
BARGAINING SESSION TODAY!
Join us for our bargaining session TODAY in the Amherst/Hadley Room on the 10th floor of the Campus Center from 1-3 pm. This room is larger than the previous rooms we’ve used, and allows for maximum participation from GEO’s membership in the bargaining process. Management had suggested we continue to book smaller rooms and Zoom in attendees. On principle we rejected this: GEO has long adhered to the principle of democratic, open bargaining. Every member’s input is crucial to negotiations. You can support the long held practice of open bargaining and the fight for a fair contract by coming for the bargaining session. The union is its members and the contract is a collective agreement made by all of us. So come to the session today and tell two of your friends about it. Every voice counts!
STEWARDS ASSEMBLY TODAY!
We will be having our FIRST steward’s assembly from 4-6pm in Campus Center 903. Meet stewards from different departments and learn what to expect in the upcoming year as a steward for your department! All members are very welcome to attend but only stewards can vote.
Any questions or specific items you would want to discuss? Email steward co-chairs johnny and wtang
Zoom Meeting ID – 936 8864 3785
If you are interested in becoming a Steward for your department, please reach out to Emelia at emiller to see if your department has an opening. Many departments currently have no stewards, so please reach out if you are interested.
PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS and BURSAR’S BILL
Members who are still having issues signing up for payroll deduction or have not had their waivers applied are strongly encouraged to write to the Bursar’s office, cc-ing GEO. Please follow up with us if your issue is not resolved within a few days. The link for payroll deductions can be found under the “Grad Assistantships” header on Spire.
LATE PAY
We have continued to press university administration to resolve issues of late payment. If you are facing such issues, please cc us in your email to the Bursar’s office so that we can follow up with you and record the issue. We have also been told that anyone who is experiencing any late pay issues can submit their issue to “Ask HR” (and just click on “SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS.” The issue will be routed to the appropriate person for resolution. If you do not receive a response or get paid by Friday, let us know right away.
UAW STRIKE
On September 15, the contract for over 150,000 auto workers employed by Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis expired, and the International UAW debuted what it has called its stand-up strike strategy. While all auto workers represented by the UAW voted to authorize a strike, only select facilities will actually be conducting work stoppages, depending on how negotiations with the companies are going. This past Friday, the president of the UAW announced that they would be striking all GM and Stellantis parts distribution centers, meaning that auto workers in Mansfield, MA are currently withholding their labor and walking the line!
Although GEO is not directly involved in or affected by these work stoppages, we are nevertheless strong unionized workers and a proud unit of UAW Local 2322. GEO stands in solidarity with the striking workers and their demands. At a time when we all face a cost of living crisis and severe exploitation in different ways, we firmly believe that it is important to show solidarity across movements and stand up for each other as we fight, not just for higher pay and better benefits, but to be treated with respect and dignity. There has been a global resurgence of the labor movement across factories, universities, healthcare sectors and other fields. We, as graduate workers, are proud to be part of a larger movement for better working conditions in this historic moment and stand in support of the UAW workers.
INTERNATIONAL CAUCUS
The International Caucus is meeting on September 27 at 4:30-6:00 pm, South College E470. Food and drinks to be provided! Please contact slawendy and smritidhital for more information.
ABOLITION COMMITTEE
Abolition committee plans to meet on Wednesdays from 3-4:30pm. If you have any questions and want to get more involved, 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!
