Graduate employees have been organizing at the University of Illinois since the early 1970s when a group called the Assistants Union first [...]]]> The GEO has been organizing since the early 1990’s for democracy in the workplace, better education, increased stipends, better benefits, and other changes to make life as a Teaching, Research, or Graduate Assistant better.

Graduate employees have been organizing at the University of Illinois since the early 1970s when a group called the Assistants Union first worked to improve working conditions. In the late 1980s the Graduate Employees’ Organization got together to give voice to graduate assistant concerns over issues such as salaries, workload, and healthcare, as well as a perceived lack of campus parking. An early victory came when the GEO convinced the administration to delay payment of student fees until the first payday. Previously we had to pay by the regular deadline, which was often a financial strain for graduate employees. After initial success, this early GEO became inactive.

In the fall of 1993, a new crop of graduate employees began building an active organization with the goal of matching the achievements of unions at the Universities of Michigan and Wisconsin. A steering committee researched working conditions and benefits for grad employees at the U of I and at peer institutions. In the spring of 1994 the GEO successfully rallied grads against the administration’s plan to stop issuing staff ID cards to assistants. With the ID cards assistants were able to retain many benefits such as staff parking, access to the Illini Credit Union, and discounts as state of Illinois employees.

During the 1994-95 academic year, the GEO grew and changed significantly. A lively organizing committee helped increase membership. In the spring of 1995, the GEO conducted a survey of assistants which showed strong support for unionization, as well as confirming the desire for improvements in healthcare and a new grievance procedure. Also in the spring of 1995, after much research and discussion, GEO affiliated with the Illinois Federation of Teachers, joining over 70,000 Illinois educators in that organization. During the summer of 1995, along with other graduate employee unions in the American Federation of Teachers, we formed the Alliance of Graduate Employee Locals (AGEL).

In the fall of 1995, GEO members began a drive to gather signatures for a petition for a union election. The "card drive"–so named for the "authorization cards" we asked grads to sign as part of the petition — required the efforts of literally hundreds of GEO rank-and-file activists. Whether "talking union" with their co-workers, volunteering their Wednesday evenings to put out mass mailings, or standing on campus appealing to passing strangers ("Are you a grad assistant?"), member-organizers from every department made success a reality.

Of course, the administration helped out, too, by announcing plans to radically restructure the tuition waiver program and to end guaranteed full tuition waivers for future graduate employees. The crisis showed the usefulness of organization: the GEO was able to inform grad assistants about the changes, funnel their concerns to the administration, and build a coalition of graduate groups to oppose the changes. We also discovered the limits of our present organization. We got the administration to drop the most outrageous elements of their plan, but without a contract we could do nothing to stop most of the changes. A similar situation occurred with respect to healthcare. The GEO helped to secure improvements in healthcare and dental benefits, but these real changes in the benefits were minimal, and came from our raise pool. With these lessons in mind, graduate assistants signed on to the union effort in increasing numbers.

By April of 1996 3,226 graduate assistants had signed cards in support of the GEO’s call for a union election. The GEO filed these cards as a petition with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB) to request a union election. Instead of agreeing to an election, the administration chose to fight us in court arguing that graduate employees are students and therefore not covered by the Labor Act.

While the legal case wound its way slowly through hearings before an administrative law judge and later the full IELRB, graduate employees mobilized to demonstrate their desire for a union. In the spring of 1997, graduate employees chose GEO as their union representative with 64% of the vote. The election was overseen by a local group of ministers and lay workers. The university administration refused to recognize the results of that election, and rebuffed repeated efforts to engage them in dialogue during the fall of 1997.

Then in February of 1998 the GEO received the bad news that two of the three members of the Labor Board ruled that while student status did not constitute an explicit exclusion from the act, the work of graduate employees was so deeply intertwined with their education that their jobs were primarily educational. The dissenting opinion in that case argued that TAs and GAs are employees. The GEO immediately appealed the case to the Illinois Court of Appeals.

In April of 1998 the GEO held its first "Work-In," a massive event that brought over 400 graduate employees to the Henry Administration Building to teach classes, grade papers, and educate the public about the goals of the GEO. Over the course of the next year we worked on passing legislation affirming graduate employees’ collective bargaining rights and in March of 1999 our bill passed the lower house of the General Assembly with bipartisan support. Due to the lobbying of the university administration the bill was buried in the Senate Rules Committee and never came to a vote.

By that point, the GEO had pursued every established channel to win the right to represent ourselves. We were totally shut out of university decision-making. Repeated efforts to engage the administration in dialogue failed. Our members had even been denied the chance to sit on university committees dealing with employment issues and benefits.

But the tide was already turning in our direction. Two major legal decisions in the National Labor Relations Board cleared the way for student employees in the private sector to unionize. These cases didn?t necessarily set precedent for Illinois, but they didn?t hurt either. Meanwhile, the demise of House Bill 1208 sparked a new round of activism by graduate employees and more statements of support from the community.

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In early March a student referendum (sponsored by the Illinois Student Government) in support of graduate employees’ right to union representation passed by a 77% margin. At the end of March, 55 graduate employees and supporters (including clergy, union members, and student government leaders) held a 20-hour sit-in at the Board of Trustees office to draw public attention to the administration’s policy of non-recognition. Outside of the sit-in 200 supporters held rally in the afternoon, while about 50 braved the cold night air to stand in support of the action. Ten days later we held our largest-ever membership meeting.

On June 30, 2000 the Illinois Court of Appeals, in a unanimous decision, overturned the IELRB’s decision to deny graduate employees the right to choose union recognition. Calling the Labor Board’s decision "clearly erroneous" and based on an "overly simplistic interpretation" of Illinois educational labor law, the Court sent the case back to the Board for reconsideration. They must now allow "those individuals whose assistantships are not significantly connected to their status as students … the same statutory right to organize as other educational employees." This decision opens the door for what graduate employees have wanted for so long — to exercise their democratic right to choose the GEO as their representative.

This decision was reaffirmed by the Illinois Supreme Court on October 4, 2000 when they rejected the university administration’s appeal. We are now gearing up for an election where graduate employees will have the chance to vote for the GEO and begin negotiations with the administration for a contract.

The Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB) approved preliminary guidelines for who will be allowed to vote in an upcoming union election for graduate employees at the University of Illinois. Their decision excluded virtually all of the Teaching, Research, and Graduate Assistants on the Urbana-Champaign campus.

The IELRB’s decision denied the right to vote in a union election to all graduate students employed as teachers or researchers, as well as those assistants whose employment duties overlap with their academic “discipline”–a category suggested by the University of Illinois administration. Of the U of I’s approximately 5,200 grad employees, some 95% would be denied the ability to vote in a union election.

In response to the IELRB decision, the GEO membership voted to hold a two-day work stoppage in the Fall of 2001. On November 28th and 29th, over 350 graduate employees in Gregory Hall, Lincoln Hall, English Building, Davenport Hall, and the Foreign Languages Building walked off the job. 70% of TAs in the target buildings took part, and 8-10,000 students were affected each day. Hundreds of GEO members and supporters picketed, chanted, and sang in the cold and rain on the Quad and around main administration buildings. The GEO was supported by a resolution in the Illinois House of Representatives, calling on the Administration to bargain with graduate employees. The GEO also had support from numerous groups throughout the community as well as the GEO at the University of Illinois’ Chicago campus, who occupied the UIC Chancellor’s office to show solidarity with our actions in Champaign-Urbana.

Despite the success of the work stoppage, the position of the UI Administration remained unchanged. Therefore, at the first membership meeting of 2002, GEO members authorized further actions, including work stoppages and the possibility of more other disruptive actions for later in the semester.

The GEO had already scheduled a three-day strike for the second week of April when on March 13, 2002 nearly 50 members and supporters of the GEO entered and occupied the Swanlund Administration Building. Beginning at 7:45 A.M. GEO members stood in all the entrances to prevent any University employees from entering the building. The building, which normally holds 100+ employees, was completely closed down by this action.

The action was timed to coincide with the arrival of the Board of Trustees to the Urbana-Champaign campus for a two-day meeting. GEO members were determined to stay until the administration agreed to begin negotiations with them over an out-of-court settlement to the now seven-year battle or until they were arrested. Bowing to the pressure of the sit-in and the upcoming walkout, University of Illinois officials reversed their long-standing policy of refusing to negotiate with the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO). Provost Herman, accompanied by Deputy University Legal Counsel Steve Veazie, conceded to a series of ongoing meetings with GEO representatives to determine which graduate employees would be eligible to vote in a union election and covered by a union contract. (Click here for the full text of the March 13 agreement.)

As a result of the March 13th agreement, the University agreed to a series of negotiations to determine the scope of the bargaining unit. The GEO bargaining team advocated that all graduate employees (RAs, TAs, and GAs) be included in bargaining unit. However, the University argued that most grad employees should be excluded from collective bargaining.
Weary of the University of Illinois? slow movement, graduate employees continued organizing toward a 3 day strike in mid-April. During the weeks up to the planned strike, the GEO notified the University that a report on negotiations would be given to the membership before graduate employees voted to continue with the plan to strike. After weeks of intense and lengthy negotiations, the University finally presented a revised proposal concerning bargaining unit membership. The day before the strike, the University agreed that almost all TAs and GAs be included in the bargaining unit. However, the University still did not agree that RAs have a right to collectively bargain.
At the membership meeting the day before the strike, GEO members greeted the University?s proposal with excitement. Many were disappointed by the University?s position concerning RAs, but in general members agreed that this proposal was an immense victory. After nearly seven weeks of negotiations, the GEO and the University came to an agreement on the composition of the bargaining unit.
Throughout the summer and fall of 2002, the GEO prepared for a union election. As part of the election drive, community organizations, churches, local labor unions, legislators and community leaders signed on to a letter to the University of Illinois asking that the University to remain neutral on the issue of whether employees should be represented collectively. The letter argued that union representation is a personal decision for employees and the letter specifically asked that the University of Illinois sign a pledge not to intimidate, harass or influence the union election.
After the University refused to sign the pledge, the GEO organized a “free and fair election rally” on the steps of the Swanlund Administration Building to publicly encourage the University to sign the pledge. The University continued its silence.
Having defined a large bargaining unit, the GEO urged the labor board to schedule the union election for Spring 2003. The GEO supported a spring election for two reasons: 1. A spring election would give TAs an adequate time to evaluate union representation and 2. TAs excluded from the bargaining unit in their 1st semester would be eligible to vote. This would have allowed Chemistry, Biological Sciences, German, and Psychology graduate employees to vote in the union election. The University disagreed and the labor board scheduled the election for the week before fall finals: December 3-4, 2002.
With only a month?s notice of the election date, the GEO initiated an intense organizing drive. Hundreds of graduate employees and labor volunteers talked with the over 2,500 TAs and GAs eligible to vote in the election. Despite the poor timing of the election, on December 3-4, 2002 over half of the eligible employees participated in the election. Graduate employees overwhelmingly voted for GEO to represent them at the bargaining table by a 3 to 1 margin (1188 to 347).

As a newly officially recognized union, the GEO elected an official bargaining team and voted on a bargaining platform in February, 2003. GEO members elected Rosemary Braun (RA in Physics) as chief negotiator and consciously elected RAs to demonstrate that the GEO advocates for all graduate employees regardless of employment status.

Rather than easing into initial negotiations, the GEO again had to fight for an inclusive and transparent process. The University fought for closed-door negotiation meetings and argued that RAs should not be allowed at the negotiating table. The GEO did not back down from its position that all employees have a right to attend and participate in meetings and the University finally conceded to open and inclusive meetings.

As negotiations proceeded throughout the spring and the fall, the GEO expanded its membership and developed a stronger organizing infrastructure. Physics and Computer Science tripled their membership and participation while historically strong departments developed stronger communication networks.
Over the summer in 2003, GEO negotiated a 3% raise for Fall 2003-2004, breaking a two-year wage freeze. Additionally, the University agreed to provide a dental and vision plan for graduate employees. These were major victories that set a strong precedent for future negotiations.

Over 2003-2004, the GEO and the University continued negotiations that set the groundwork for the GEO?s first contract . In August 2004, GEO members ratified the first contract by a 98% margin (610 YES 10 NO). The contract guaranteed 3% wage increases per year, elimination of the McKinley clinic fee, and a phased reduction of medical insurance premiums. In addition, the GEO successfully negotiated a series of employee protections, including a grievance procedure with 3rd-party binding arbitration, a non-discrimination clause, and Fair Share, which allows the union to more effectively bargain with the university and enforce the contract.
Over the course of 2004-2006, the GEO focused on streamlining the grievance process and advocating for better healthcare for grads and their dependents. As the first contract expired in August 2006, grads returned to the bargaining table hoping to focus on healthcare. Negotiations went slowly, but grads with the help of our fellow workers on campus put pressure on the University and by Spring 2007 the GEO ratified an improved contract for 2006-2008 with back-pay and a greater subsidy of graduate healthcare and wages.

In 2007-2008 the GEO focused on building membership and developing stronger relationships with community organizations and campus labor groups. In Fall 2007 we supported campus building and food service workers union SEIU in their negotiation for pay equity and greater worker protections. In Spring 2008 we hosted the Alliance of Graduate Employee Locals (AGEL) conference. Representatives from GEO-University of Michigan, TAA-University of Wisconsin, GTFF- University of Oregon, GAU-University of Florida and other graduate employee unions joined us to discuss national organizing strategies, how to build local coalitions, and developing membership.
Approaching Fall 2008 the GEO is preparing for the next contract cycle. The current contract expires in August 2009, but we hope to begin negotiations in the spring. Ultimately winning a strong third contract will require the support of all graduate employees. Volunteers are needed to visit grads in their offices, research healthcare issues, work with other graduate employee unions on international student visa reform and much more.
If you have questions about the GEO or want to know how you can get involved, please contact the GEO office at 344-8283 or at geo(AT)uigeo.org.
Stay Tuned!!!

Published Online Jul 2, 2006 by the News-Gazette By Christine Des Garennes URBANA – They don’t perform pirouettes or sing arias on stage. Of the 10,000 or so employees of the University of Illinois, [...]]]> News-Gazette coverage of ongoing contract negotiations between the university and several of its unions (including the GEO)
Click the title above to read the story…

Published Online Jul 2, 2006 by the News-Gazette
By Christine Des Garennes
URBANA – They don’t perform pirouettes or sing arias on stage.
Of the 10,000 or so employees of the University of Illinois, this is a group you might not have heard about.
The theatrical stitchers of the Krannert Center for Performing Arts sew together the many period costumes that dancers, opera singers and actors will wear on stage.
For this, the three stitchers earn full-time salaries of $21,000 to $23,000 a year.
After members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 698 conducted a salary survey of stage builders, receptionists, attendants and other employees at the UI’s performing arts center, the union found the stitchers made well below what other employees made.
Among the many proposals the union has presented to the University of Illinois, it wants the university to increase stitchers’ salaries to $25,584 to bring them closer to the average annual pay for Krannert staff.
The union wants to do the same for UI telephone operators and crash rescue and security specialists at Willard Airport.
“We’re not asking for the moon here. We’re not asking for extravagant raises. We’re trying to put people up to a reasonable level,” said Margaret Lewis, vice president of AFSCME Local 698.
But for now, contract negotiations are at a standstill. The union’s contract ended last August, and despite several meetings since then, there is no new contract.
Both sides have requested federal mediation and are awaiting a response from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
In the meantime, union members are conducting informational pickets on campus.
“We certainly would prefer for all employes to be satisfied all the time,” said UI spokeswoman Robin Kaler, who added that the groups have the right to picket and let everyone know their thoughts.
“Our whole role is to balance competing interests and needs and be as fair as we can to everyone,” she said.
Local 698 is not the only union in contract negotiations with the university.
The Urbana-Champaign campus is home to 12 unions representing about 3,700 employees. The UI is negotiating with four unions: AFSCME Local 698, Teamsters Local 26, the Graduate Employees Union and the visiting academic professionals.
For AFSCME 698 and Teamsters Local 26, which represents drivers, warehouse workers and others at the UI, it has been nearly a year since their contract expired. The graduate employees’ contract expires in two months.
And the visiting academic professionals, who voted to unionize in spring 2005, have been negotiating for several months.
“We haven’t agreed to much,” said Alan Bilansky, an instructional designer with the UI and a member of the visiting academic professionals’ bargaining committee.
Bilansky said he had no indication if an agreement would be reached soon, but certainly not in the next month.
“There’s an awful lot yet to agree to and much to be contested,” said Bilansky, who declined to reveal details about sticking points.
“It’s fair to say our members are worried about job security,” he said.
The UI employs about 300 to 350 visiting academic professionals who support faculty and staff.
“It’s easier to hire and fire academic professionals. They’re the shakiest employees. Now, visiting academic professionals can be let go at any minute,” Bilansky said.
As for the Graduate Employees Union, its members presented their proposal to the UI on April 25.
“We’re focusing emphasis on improving working conditions and general quality of life for the graduate work force: more affordable and more effective health care as well as wage increases that make us more competitive with our peer institutions,” said Christopher Simeone, lead negotiator for the Graduate Employees’ Union. “The university has been reluctant to agree to anything we’ve proposed.”
Their contract expires in August.
“Our goal is to meet with the university as often as necessary to get this done as soon as possible,” Simeone said.

PRESS RELEASE Contact: Susan Valentine, (212) 387-0220 or (917) [...]]]> Unionized graduate employees at New York University have voted to authorize a strike set to begin on November 9. Members of GSOC/UAW Local 2110 are calling the strike in response to NYU?s refusal to negotiate a second contract.
Check Local 2110’s website for updates.
Click the title for more information.

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Susan Valentine, (212) 387-0220 or (917) 495-8492
October 31, 2005
New York University Grad Union Set to Strike November 9
?I love my work teaching NYU undergraduates but I?m prepared to go on strike because I need the security of a union contract,? said teaching assistant Miabi Chatterji. ?NYU already demonstrated bad faith when they cut our health benefits as soon as our contract ended. It is insulting for the university to deny our basic rights to negotiate our wages, benefits and working conditions.?
NYU and the Union had a successful four-year collective bargaining relationship, following a 2000 election in which a strong majority of NYU teaching and research assistants voted in favor of union representation. Since then, graduate employees have repeatedly demonstrated majority support for the union. In announcing its refusal to bargain in June of 2005, NYU cited a recent NLRB decision?although the case in question does not prevent NYU from negotiating.
?NYU could settle this any time by agreeing to bargain in good faith,? said Maida Rosenstein, President of UAW Local 2110. ?Instead, NYU is turning its back on the will of the majority of graduate employees and jeopardizing its reputation as a university.?
The graduate employee fight for a second contract has drawn broad support from the labor movement and elected officials including AFL-CIO President John Sweeney and city council member Christine Quinn, who represents the NYU area. GSOC also has broad support across the NYU community. Over 200 faculty members have pledged to move classes off campus in the event of a strike and undergraduates have formed an organization, GUS (Grad/Undergrad Solidarity) to support the strike.
?My teaching assistants are really important to my education. They work hard for me, and the least I can do is support them by attending class off campus,? said undergraduate Aiden Amos. ?I?m urging all my professors to move their classes. A lot of us undergrads care, and we?ll be on the picket line alongside our TAs.?
?Calling a strike is the graduate workers? decision,? Professor Andrew Ross observed, ?but this is the whole NYU community?s fight. The administration?s stubbornness is out of step with the NYU community?s values of fairness and respect.?

Contract Questions

PREAMBLE We, the members of the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO), are committed to the principles of participatory democracy. Thus, as graduate employees [...]]]> This is the proposed constitution that will be put to the GMM this Wednesday. The motion will be “That the Constitution of the GEO be replaced by the proposed text posted on the GEO website.”

PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO), are committed to the principles of participatory democracy. Thus, as graduate employees at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (“the University”), we claim the right to participate in making decisions that affect our lives. This can only mean our bona fide representation in University governance. Formal recognition of the work of graduate employees generates due respect for our work and, moreover, ensures better working conditions for all of us. This can only enable the University in successfully fulfilling its mission, namely, to provide quality higher education. We envisage a working and learning environment at this University that is democratic, inclusive, non-discriminatory, and above all, just. We shall do everything in our power to materialize this vision.
In keeping with these basic principles, we give to ourselves and to future graduate employees this Constitution.
Article I: Name
A. The name of this organization shall be the Graduate Employees’ Organization, or in short GEO (“the union”).
Article II: Objectives of the GEO
A. Organizing: To empower graduate employees on the job and within the wider University community.
B. Collective Representation and Bargaining: To act as the representative for graduate employees in negotiations with the University administration and any other relevant body over terms and conditions of employment.
C. Education: To promote quality instruction and research at the University.
D. Community: To foster a sense of community among graduate employees from all departments and backgrounds.
E. Cooperation and Social Justice: To cooperate with other working people on campus and beyond in order to promote social justice.
Article III: Membership
A. Any person employed by the University in a bargaining unit for which the union is the recognized bargaining agent is eligible to be a member of the union. Any person formerly employed in such a bargaining unit and expecting re-employment within one year is eligible for membership.
B. All graduate students at the University are eligible for membership in the union.
C. All officers, duly elected, shall be eligible for membership, for the academic year in which they hold office, by virtue of their election.
D. Members shall remain in good standing by paying regular dues to the union and by complying with directives of the union. The By-laws will specify dues. Officers must remain members in good standing of the GEO in order to retain their position.
E. No eligible person shall be denied membership. All members in good standing will have equal rights and privileges under this constitution.
Article IV: Organizational Structure
A. The GEO is a representative body, and its structure shall reflect the democratic values on which it is based. Members shall suffer no impairment of freedom of speech concerning the operations of the GEO. Active discussion of GEO affairs shall be encouraged and protected within the GEO.
B. The Coordinating Committee is the executive body of the union. Between meetings of the CC officers shall exercise such powers as are granted to them by this constitution or by the CC.
C. The Stewards Council shall exercise oversight of the Coordinating Committee, shall advise the CC, and may refer any action (or lack of action) or decision by the CC or an officer to a membership meeting.
D. Subject to this constitution, the bye-laws of the GEO, and other decisions approved by ballot as laid out in Article VI, membership meetings, as regulated by article V, shall be the supreme decision making body of the union.
E. Members shall have the right to full participation in the decision-making process, through discussion and voting, and shall receive due notice of membership meetings and have access to any information necessary for the exercise of this right.
F. The enumeration in this constitution of certain roles or powers for a body or officer shall not prevent that body or officer from holding other roles or powers not so enumerated.
Article V: Membership Meetings
A. Regular membership meetings shall be held at least once during each of the fall and spring academic semesters.
B. Membership meetings shall be run in accordance with such rules of procedure (’standing orders’) as may be specified in the union bye-laws from time to time.
C. Any member may have any matter placed on the agenda either before the meeting or, by making a motion (subject to a vote), at the meeting, as regulated by standing orders, except where restricted by this constitution or by law. At any meeting, members shall have the right to make a motion on any topic being considered by the meeting.
Article VI: Ballots, elections, and referenda
A. Officer elections, and votes on contracts or to authorize industrial action shall be by secret ballot, and shall be called by the Coordinating Committee. Membership may also vote to have any issue put to such a ballot by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at a membership meeting.
B. Ballots shall be free, fair, and democratic, and shall be operated by the elections committee. The election committee, in setting procedure, shall adhere to any directions from the Stewards Council, and to the following provisions:
1. Written notice of officer elections will be mailed to all members at their home addresses no less than 15 days before that election.
2. The GEO will comply with all reasonable requests of any election candidate to distribute by mail or otherwise, at the candidate’s expense, campaign literature in aid of such person’s candidacy to all members in good standing.
3. The GEO will not promote the candidacy of any particular candidate in an election
4. Each member in good standing shall be entitled to an equal number of votes.
5. Provision will be made for candidates to have observers at the polling place and the counting of ballots.
6. Voting will take place for at least eight hours on each of two consecutive days.
7. Ballots and all other records pertaining to officer elections shall be preserved for one year.
8. The conduct of elections shall be consistent with all relevant laws, including, in particular, the standards for such elections developed under Title IV of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA).
9. The by-laws will specify the voting system to be used.
C. An election to fill a vacant officership must be held within 25 days of the vacancy arising.
D. All elected officials of the GEO may be recalled, subject to the conditions and procedures listed below.
1. Any member in good standing may circulate a petition requesting recall of a particular officer. Anyone desiring to recall more than one officer must circulate a petition for each officer s/he seeks to recall.
2. A petition that has received official endorsement from at least 10% of all members in good standing may then be submitted directly to any member of the Coordinating Committee or to one of the Stewards’ Chairs.
3. All action pertaining to a petition to recall and all action regarding sustaining recall shall be conducted at a special meeting of the membership called for that purpose. This meeting shall occur no more than two weeks after receipt of a petition to recall and membership shall receive due notice of the meeting.
4. Voting shall be in secret. Two-thirds of members present and voting are required to support the motion to recall in order for it to succeed.
Article VII: Officers
A. The officers of the GEO shall consist of two Co-Presidents, a Treasurer, a Communications Officer, a Grievance Officer and three Officers-at-Large.
B. Officers shall be elected by a vote of the membership during the Spring semester, and serve until the elections in the following Spring semester. No person shall hold the same office for more than two (2) consecutive terms.
C. All members shall be eligible to run for and hold office, except that regular employees of the GEO, the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT), or the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) may not become officers of the GEO. This section does not preclude the union from deciding to pay a stipend or wage to any officer. Any such wage must be approved by the membership at a membership meeting.
Article VIII: Officers’ Duties
A. Co-Presidents
1. Co-Presidents shall preside over meetings of the Coordinating Committee.
2. Co-Presidents shall make periodic reports to the membership regarding the state of the GEO.
3. Co-Presidents shall act as or designate a member or members in good standing to act as liaisons with affiliated organizations or any other relevant body.
4. The co-Presidents shall nominate the chairpersons of Membership Meetings.
5. Co-Presidents shall meet regularly with staff to coordinate staff activities.
6. Co-Presidents may divide these duties as they see fit, but shall share responsibilities equally.
B. Treasurer
1. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the accounts of the GEO. She or he shall receive and receipt for all monies of the GEO. She or he shall prepare checks for the payment of all liabilities of the GEO that are for purposes authorized or required by this constitution or authorized by the membership and none other. She or he shall sign all checks so prepared.
2. Members shall have the right to a full and clear accounting of all GEO funds. Such accounting shall include, but not be limited to, periodic reports to the membership by the treasurer and
3. The Treasurer shall make regular reports to the Membership, and make the financial records of the GEO available for annual audit by officers selected for that purpose or by independent auditors not otherwise connected with the GEO. The membership shall have access to the financial records of the GEO in a manner specified by the by-laws.
Article IX: Committees
A. The Coordinating Committee
1. The Coordinating Committee will consist of the Officers and up to three Stewards elected by the Stewards Council.
2. A quorum of six voting members is necessary to conduct business.
3. Coordinating Committee meetings will be open to the membership to attend on a non-voting basis. The Steward’s Council shall be notified of the time and place of meetings and shall have the responsibility of communicating that information to interested members.
4. The Coordinating Committee shall carry on the day-to-day functions of the union as directed by the membership.
5. The Coordinating Committee shall make recommendations to the membership for consideration and action.
6. In the course of carrying out the directives of the membership, the Coordinating Committee may authorize expenditures for organizing materials, office equipment and supplies, and other items necessary for the operation of the union.
B. Stewards Council
1. The Stewards Council will consist of those stewards appointed by departments as laid out in Article X.
2. The Stewards Council shall develop and promote organizing and educational programs for Stewards and the membership.
3. The Stewards Council shall elect two of its members as Co-Chairs who may, but need not be, among the stewards appointed to the Coordinating Committee. The Co-Chairs will be responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the Stewards Council.
4. The Stewards Council shall meet at least 3 times in each of the fall and spring academic semesters.
5. The Stewards Council may write its own by-laws to govern its internal operations.
C. The Communications Committee
1. The Primary responsibility of the Communications Committee will be the instigation and maintenance of all external communications, i.e. with the press and with the public at large.
2. The Communications Committee will be chaired by the Communications Officer and its membership will include at least one Officer-at-Large. All other committee members will be drawn from the general membership by whatever means are deemed appropriate by the Coordinating Committee.
D. The Personnel Committee
1. The Primary responsibility of the Personnel Committee is the hiring and firing of all Union staff. Hiring procedures shall in no way discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, citizenship, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, marital/parental status, native language or dialect, disability, international or local organization affiliation, or status as a veteran.
2. The Personnel Committee will also be responsible for establishing all terms of Union staff employment, including, but not limited to, wages and benefits.
3. The Coordinating Committee will convene the Personnel Committee as the need arises. Its membership will include three people elected by the Stewards Council, one member of the current staff – except when conflict of interest makes such inclusion inappropriate – and the two Co-Presidents who will serve as co-chairs of the committee.
4. In the event that the GEO staff chooses to unionize, the Personnel Committee, will act as the contract bargaining committee and will work with the staff to establish and renew employee contracts.
E. The Grievance Committee
1. The Primary responsibility of the Grievance Committee is the handling of grievances between the employer and employees in any bargaining unit represented by the union.
2. The Grievance Officer shall chair the Grievance Committee.
3. The other members shall be appointed by the Coordinating Committee, subject to approval by the Stewards Council. Terms of appointment shall be as determined by the Stewards Council.
F. Election Committee
1. The Stewards Council shall appoint and convene, as and when necessary, an Election Committee to conduct elections and secret ballots. The Election Committee shall be responsible for publicizing elections, taking nominations, and overseeing voting and vote counting. Officers and candidates may not sit on the Election Committee in the case of Officer elections.
G. Strike committees
1. Strike committees shall be appointed prior to any industrial action undertaken by the GEO.
2. The membership of a strike committee shall be declared in the motion approving the taking of such action, and shall include the members of the Coordinating Committee. Members of a strike committee are subject to recall in the same manner as an officer of the union.
3. Strike committees shall assume executive control of such aspects of union activity, including powers delegated by this constitution to the SC and CC, as are deemed necessary for the successful operation of the action. Such powers may be enumerated in the motion appointing the committee, or may be delegated by a later motion, or by a decision of the SC or CC as appropriate.
4. Members shall follow the directions of the strike committee in the operation of the strike.
H. Ad hoc committees may be appointed as the need arises, under such terms as the Coordinating Committee, Stewards Council or other appointing body shall determine, and the powers and duties of such body may be delegated to such committee, except where such delegation is prohibited by this constitution.
Article X: Stewards
A. Departments shall select Stewards who will coordinate organizing within departments, participate in union-wide organizing and education, and handle grievances of members within departments.
B. The Stewards Council may, from time to time, issue guidelines as to how stewards should be selected (including definition of departments and grouping as appropriate or useful) and governing departmental representation in the Stewards Council, including outlining procedures for removal of stewards where necessary. Such guidelines will be subject to approval and/or amendment at the general membership meeting following the adoption of the guidelines.
C. Guidelines for the selection of Stewards shall not infringe any Department’s right to exercise democratic control over the selection and removal, and method of selection and removal, of that Department’s Stewards.
Article XI: Contracts
A. The union may enter into a contract or other agreement covering the terms and conditions of employment of its membership, or part of its membership.
B. At such times as the union decides to enter negotiations with the University regarding a potential contract or other agreement, the union will form a bargaining team to undertake such negotiations. Members of the bargaining team will be members in good standing, and shall include at least one of the Co-Presidents, two representatives chosen by the Stewards’ Council, and one member-at-large chosen by the membership at a membership meeting. Other members may be appointed by the Coordinating Committee, subject to the approval of the Stewards Council, or be elected by the Stewards Council or the membership following a decision by that body. Additional members may be appointed by these various bodies from time to time.
C. Members of the bargaining team are subject to recall in the same manner as officers of the union. When a contract is successfully agreed and approved by the GEO membership the committee shall be dissolved.
D. Any contract or agreement negotiated by the bargaining team must be ratified by the membership in ballot as outlined in Article VI. Eligible voters shall be those members in good standing. A simple majority of votes cast by eligible members shall be required to ratify a contract or other agreement with the University.
E. The union may not negotiate, nor enter into a contract or agreement, with the University covering academic practices and policies as they relate to graduate employees in their capacity as students, salary maximums, or limitations on employees’ rights to choose the time and manner of their work.
Article XII: Work Action
A. A ballot of the membership, as outlined in Article VI, will be necessary to authorize work action.
B. Such motion will vest authority in the strike committee to initiate the action, and to suspend the work action pending a vote to end the action.
C. Work action may be ended by a simple majority of votes cast by eligible members at a meeting called for that purpose by the Strike Committee overseeing the action. Such meeting shall be called by the Strike Committee upon its own initiative or upon receipt of a petition signed by 10% of the members in good standing involved in the action. The Strike Committee need not consent to hold a meeting in response to such a petition within seven days of the start of the action, or within seven days of the last such meeting. The time and place of the meeting will be widely publicized to the membership.
D. Only members in good standing who hold current employment may vote on a motion to initiate or terminate work action.
Article XIII: Affiliation
A. The GEO shall be affiliated with the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers, and the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations.
B. The treasurer shall transmit necessary membership dues to all organizations with which the GEO is affiliated.
Article XIV: Amendment
A. Any member or members seeking to amend the constitution shall present in writing a copy of the proposed amendment to a member of the Coordinating Committee no less than 10 days prior to the meeting at which they wish the amendment to be considered. The Coordinating Committee shall immediately be notified of such proposed amendment and it shall be published and placed on the agenda for the membership meeting no less than 7 days before the meeting.
B. If a majority of members attending and voting at the membership meeting vote in favor of the proposed amendment it shall be put to a ballot as outlined in article VI.
Article XV: By-laws
A. The union may write by-laws to this constitution.
B. All changes to the by-laws must be voted on at a Membership Meeting. Proposed changes to the by-laws shall be placed on the agenda for the membership meeting no less than 7 days before the meeting.
C. A simple majority of those attending the Membership Meeting shall be necessary to amend the by-laws.

Forum: GEO plans for spring February 28, 2002 http://www.dailyillini.com/feb02/feb28/opinions/stories/forum.shtml

Letter to the Editor: ISG members back GEO February 28, 2002 http://www.dailyillini.com/feb02/feb28/opinions/stories/letter02.shtml

Letter to the Editor: College Democrats support GEO March 4, 2002 http://www.dailyillini.com/mar02/mar04/opinions/stories/letter01.shtml

GEO has got to grow March 5, 2002 http://www.dailyillini.com/mar02/mar05/opinions/stories/opinions_column01.shtml

Urbana City Council offers support to GEO March 13, 2002 http://www.dailyillini.com/mar02/mar13/news/stories/news_story03.shtml

GEO affordable March 13, 2002 http://www.dailyillini.com/mar02/mar13/opinions/stories/letter02.shtml

University and GEO to discuss union criteria March 14, [...]]]> 2002

GEO plans second work stoppage
February 27, 2002
http://www.dailyillini.com/feb02/feb27/news/stories/news_story03.shtml

Forum: GEO plans for spring
February 28, 2002
http://www.dailyillini.com/feb02/feb28/opinions/stories/forum.shtml

Letter to the Editor: ISG members back GEO
February 28, 2002
http://www.dailyillini.com/feb02/feb28/opinions/stories/letter02.shtml

Letter to the Editor: College Democrats support GEO
March 4, 2002
http://www.dailyillini.com/mar02/mar04/opinions/stories/letter01.shtml

GEO has got to grow
March 5, 2002
http://www.dailyillini.com/mar02/mar05/opinions/stories/opinions_column01.shtml

Urbana City Council offers support to GEO
March 13, 2002
http://www.dailyillini.com/mar02/mar13/news/stories/news_story03.shtml

GEO affordable
March 13, 2002
http://www.dailyillini.com/mar02/mar13/opinions/stories/letter02.shtml

University and GEO to discuss union criteria
March 14, 2002
http://www.dailyillini.com/mar02/mar14/news/stories/news_story03.shtml

Letter to the Editor: Benefits of unionization
March 15, 2002
http://www.dailyillini.com/mar02/mar15/opinions/stories/letter01.shtml

GEO and University step toward agreement
April 1, 2002
http://www.dailyillini.com/apr02/apr01/news/stories/news_story04.shtml

2001

Grad employee union solution talks underway
January 16, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/jan01/jan16/news/news07.shtml

GEO’s unionization eligibility to be decided
January 22, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/jan01/jan22/news/news07.shtml

GEO rally paves way for a legal election:
Election to decide if GEO will serve as grad assisants’ collective bargaining
unit
January 30, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/jan01/jan30/news/news01.shtml

Labor board puts restrictions on GEO
February 12, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/feb01/feb12/news/news01.shtml

Labor board delays graduate student unionization decision
March 6, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/mar01/mar06/news/stories/news03.shtml

Labor board rejects TA unionization; GEO isn’t surprised
March 28, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/mar01/mar28/news/stories/news02.shtml

Letter to the Editor: Some apologies necessary
April 19, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/apr01/apr19/opinions/stories/letter02.shtml

Letter to the Editor: GEO is worth fighting for
September 6, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/sep01/sep06/opinions/stories/letter02.shtml

GEO nears ‘end of the road’
October 4, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/oct01/oct04/news/stories/news_story02.shtml

Letter to the Editor: Undergrads also support GEO
October 11, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/oct01/oct11/opinions/stories/letter03.shtml

Letter to the Editor: GEO not just about the money
October 12, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/oct01/oct12/opinions/stories/letter01.shtml

Letter to the Editor: Students should know GEO
October 25, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/oct01/oct25/opinions/stories/letter05.shtml

Letter to the Editor: University’s nonrecognition of GEO policy "misinformed"
October 26, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/oct01/oct26/opinions/stories/letter03.shtml

Letter to the Editor: Grad union deserves recognition
October 29, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/oct01/oct29/opinions/stories/letter01.shtml

Letter to the Editor: The GEO is my hero
October 30, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/oct01/oct30/opinions/stories/letter03.shtml

Students demand alternatives for processing complaints
October 30, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/oct01/oct30/news/stories/news_story03.shtml

Letter to the Editor: Union isn’t about you
October 31, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/oct01/oct31/opinions/stories/letter04.shtml

Forum: Why GEO?
November 5, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/nov01/nov05/opinions/stories/forum.shtml

TA’s to strike after Thanksgiving
November 5, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/nov01/nov05/news/stories/news_story02.shtml

Letter to the Editor: It’s time for action
November 7, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/nov01/nov07/opinions/stories/letter02.shtml

Letter to the Editor: North of Green support for GEO
November 8, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/nov01/nov08/opinions/stories/letter03.shtml

Letter to the Editor: College Dems back GEO
November 14, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/nov01/nov14/opinions/stories/letter01.shtml

Planned stoppage not new for Cantor
November 26, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/nov01/nov26/news/stories/news_story03.shtml

Letter to the Editor: Support progress
November 27, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/nov01/nov27/opinions/stories/letter01.shtml

University can’t buy integrity
November 27, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/nov01/nov27/opinions/stories/opinions_column02.shtml

Scooby Doo and you
November 29, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/nov01/nov29/opinions/stories/opinions_column02.shtml

Democracy denied
November 29, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/nov01/nov29/opinions/stories/opinions_column01.shtml

GEO pickets for union rights
November 29, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/nov01/nov29/news/stories/news_story02.shtml

GEO strike, as promised
November 29, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/nov01/nov29/news/stories/news_story01.shtml

Letter to the Editor: Grad students underappreciated
November 30, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/nov01/nov30/opinions/stories/letter01.shtml

Stoppage continues
November 30, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/nov01/nov30/news/stories/news_story01.shtml

Letter to the Editor: Undergrads replaceable
December 3, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/dec01/dec03/opinions/stories/letter01.shtml

Letter to the Editor: GEO rightly political
December 6, 2001
http://www.dailyillini.com/dec01/dec06/opinions/stories/letter04.shtml

2000

Forum draws one side of GEO debate:
Administrators invited, but do not show to ISG forum on graduate union
March 1, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/mar_00/mar1/news/news04.html

Vote GEO — today
March 7, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/mar_00/mar7/opinions/edit.html

No open invite for GEO: GEO’s meeting with Aiken falls through
March 10, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/mar_00/mar10/news/news02.html

TAs might strike following work-in:
GEO members hold classes on Quad to gather support for unionization
March 30, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/mar_00/mar30/news/news01.shtml

GEO turned away: GEO’s attempts to meet with administrators fail again
March 24, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/mar_00/mar24/news/news03.shtml

Little progress made by GEO sit-in:
Administration refuses formal talks with GEO, strike under consideration
April 3, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/apr_00/apr03/news/news03.shtml

History department first to back GEO:
Teachers worried about upcoming strike vote and results if GEO is not
heard
April 10, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/apr_00/apr10/news/news03.shtml

Letter to the Editor: Support the GEO
April 11, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/apr_00/apr11/opinions/letters.shtml

Letter to the Editor: We want a voice, that’s all
April 13, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/apr_00/apr13/opinions/letters.shtml

GEO files grievance against grad college:
Formal grievance filed with University in response to recent dialogue
April 28, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/apr_00/apr28/news/news05.shtml

GEO protests outside Swanlund, threatens strike:
Four GEO members meet with administration; no resolution reached
May 4, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/may_00/may04/news/news04.shtml

GEO ruling reversed by Illinois Court of Appeals:
Court orders case returned to Illinois labor relations board
June 30, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/june00/june30/news/news-geo.html

ISG responds to status of the GEO:
A written statement expresses union support
September 7, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/sept00/sept07/news/news05.shtml

Letter to the Editor: Graduate students need to unionize
September 14, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/sept00/sept14/opinions/letters.shtml

Graduate Employee Organization reinforces strike possibility
September 20, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/sept00/sept20/news/news02.shtml

Letter to the Editor: GEO did the right thing
September 29, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/sept00/sept29/opinions/letters.shtml

Little GEO vs. big University
October 2, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/oct00/oct02/opinions/col02.shtml

GEO pickets, gives UI ‘one more chance’:
Members send 5-foot letter to Stukel asking for signature of agreement

October 5, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/oct00/oct05/news/news01.shtml

Ill. high court denies appeal:
Supreme Court refuses to hear UI’s case; terms for eligibility to organize
examined
October 5, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/oct00/oct05/news/news03.shtml

Unions work at two other universities:
UI conditions might not suit unionization
October 18, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/oct00/oct18/news/news02.shtml

Understand the GEO
October 24, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/oct00/oct24/opinions/letters.shtml

Undergrad group invites GEO to address students:
Informational forum addresses concerns about unionization
November 17, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/nov00/nov17/news/news05.shtml

Students unpaid for work:
International students started work before I-9 forms were done
December 11, 2000
http://www.dailyillini.com/dec00/dec11/news/news02.shtml

1999

House passes unionizing bill:
Amendment giving graduate students the right to unionize awaits Senate
approval
March 22, 1999
http://www.dailyillini.com/mar_99/mar22/news/news01.html

GEO spouse tuition policy is unchanged
March 31, 1999
http://www.dailyillini.com/mar_99/mar31/news/news05.html

Graduate unions through the eyes of their faculty
April 23, 1999
http://www.dailyillini.com/apr_99/apr23/opinions/forum1.html

1998

Winkel ignores graduate students
November 2, 1998
http://www.dailyillini.com/nov_98/nov2/opinions/letters.html

Graduate employees push for University recognition:
GEO attempts to meet with deans to assert their right to unionize
December 11, 1998
http://www.dailyillini.com/dec_98/dec11/news/news02.html

Admin Changes Its Tune

In an effort to shore up their anti-union stance, the administration has been trying hard to convince the university community that the GEO’s 2-day work stoppage of last semester was a "non-event." Unfortunately for them, their own rhetoric reveals [...]]]> Admin Changes Its Tune
Why The GEO Membership Is Taking Action
What’s A Union Good For?

Admin Changes Its Tune

In an effort to shore up their anti-union stance, the administration has been trying hard to convince the university community that the GEO’s 2-day work stoppage of last semester was a "non-event." Unfortunately for them, their own rhetoric reveals that it had a significant impact on the work of the university. Below is a timeline:
Day 1: University spokesperson, Bill Murphy, described the walk out as a "non-event."

"As graduate students employed by the university — teaching and research assistants alike — it only makes sense that we have some sort of representation. Other schools have grad student unions, and they seem extremely beneficial. I came out to and supported the walk-out because I support the GEO and I think it is particularly important for students from the engineering departments to contribute their voice. We do have an enviable position — excellent pay and good RAships — but that doesn’t mean we wouldn’t benefit from having a union." – Ruxandra Costescu (RA, Materials Science and Engineering)

Day 2: Bill Murphy changed his tune after the second day admitting that, by his estimate, 240 classes had been cancelled. (With an average class size of 32 that would mean that up to 7680 undergrads missed class.)
December 2001/January 2002: According to Provost Herman and Chancellor Cantor graduate fellowships & benefits are at the top of administration priorities even while other budget cuts seem imminent.
The future: Keep your eyes open for more administration attempts to divert graduate employees from their goal of union representation and a real voice in the decisions that affect them as vital employees of this
campus.
GEO members will be discussing additional actions at upcoming meetings. Your participation is essential to making things happen!
For more information on how you can get involved or if you have questions about the GEO, contact the office at 344-8283 or at geo@uigeo.org.

Back to the Top

Why the GEO Membership is Taking Action

Universities have come to rely quite heavily on graduate employees as a cost-effective way to teach undergraduates and to do reasearch. Each year the number of students taught by a single teaching assistant grows, and class sizes increase. In addition, each year the time it takes a graduate student to complete school gets longer. It is in direct response to these declining conditions that graduate employee unions have arisen.
The GEO is part of a nationwide movement of graduate employee unionization. Thirty-six campuses across the country have recognized graduate unions. Among them are the Universities of Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa as well as
a growing number of private universities like NYU. The growth of graduate unions over the past 20 years has not been random. It has coincided with a reprioritization of values at universities, where campus budgets for instruction decline while more and more money is allocated for corporate research, athletic programs and the salaries of administrators.
Looking to campuses like Iowa and Michigan, where graduate employees have recognized unions, tells us many things. Most importantly, unions have not had a negative impact on graduate or undergraduate students in terms of quality of education, class offerings, tuition rates or student-faculty relationships. Charges that a union would destroy education here are clearly unfounded.

"When I showed up for my Biology 100 class lastsemester to find picket signs, I was halted. I thought about my grade status in the class, knowing that I value my education. I then thought about the strength and organization of the GEO and how unfairly the University has treated its students and workers. I ultimately turned around that day and joined GEO members on the quad to protest. As an undergraduate student, I understand the value of TAs. My education is often in their hands." – Celeste Weber (Undergraduate in Sociology)

So what then is the difference between a unionized and a non-unionized campus? It is simply that graduate employees are given the opportunity to sit down with the administration and negotiate collaboratively over the conditions of their employment. The result is a contract that clearly spells out and secures the benefits and terms of employment. (See the chart on the right for more.) We believe we deserve this right because we are workers who contribute to the educational mission of the University.
The administration argues that they think a union is not in our best interests. But why should it be their decision? If graduate employees decide we want to speak as a single, united voice instead of as isolated individuals, why should we have to seek someone else’s permission? We have signed petitions, we have voted in an independent election. We have tried talking with administrators we thought might be sympathetic to our cause, including most recently Chancellor Nancy Cantor. We have tried to work things out via legal and legislative processes, but the administration has used at least $1 million of University budgets to thwart our efforts.
After nearly 10 years of work, we find our options in the pursuit of our rights to be narrowing. We are forced to look towards continuing and more forceful action like the recent work stoppage. No one wants to have to disrupt the university, but the power is in the administration’s hands alone to come to the bargaining table and reach a settlement.
Solidarity.
Back to the Top

What’s A Union Good For?

Graduate employees around the country have gained significant improvements in the working lives through their unions. Some of the improvements won in other contracts include:

1. Healthcare Improvements and Cost

The GEO (at the U of Michigan) successfully negotiated for the choice of 8 different plans. Most of these plans are fully paid for by the administration (including family coverage)! Most contracts allow grads to add dependents free of charge.

2. Grievance Procedure & Other Protections

Union contracts provide a clear, formal grievance procedure that balances the needs and rights of graduate employees, faculty, and the administration. They allow for a timely and fair resolution of disputes that arise. Most specify strict time limits, end in independent third-party arbitration, and allow the right to a representative.

3. Undergrad Education/Teacher Training

U of Oregon’s and U of Wisconsin’s (Madison) contracts require departments to have ongoing evaluation of (and feedback for) the graduate teachers. In addition, UW-Madison has departments conduct their own trainings for teaching assistants. In fact, in order to get to the "experienced" pay tier a teaching assistant must participate in an additional diversity
training.
Other benefits include increased academic freedom, anti-discrimination,
guaranteed leave, regular raises, workload protections, and better workplace
safety.
For more on these benefits, see the GEO’s Contract
Comparison page.
Back to the Top

Today’s decision marks a major victory in the GEO’s struggle for union recognition.

The case will now [...]]]> Today the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed that graduate
employees in Illinois have the right to collective bargaining. The Supreme
Court decision is the definitive ruling in the lengthy legal battle over
whether graduate employees in Illinois have the right to unionize.

Today’s decision marks a major victory in the GEO’s struggle
for union recognition.

The case will now be sent to the Illinois Education Labor
Relations Board (IELRB). The IELRB will mediate a hearing process for
determining which graduate employees will be included in the bargaining
unit.* After unit determination, graduate employees will vote in a democratic
union election.

In response to today’s ruling, GEO co-president Kate Bullard
commented, “This is a major victory for education in Illinois. When teachers
and researchers have a voice in their working conditions they do their
best work. We hope that the administration will start working with rather
than against their graduate employees by moving efficiently through the
hearing process.”

This decision came on the GEO’s Day of Solidarity, at which
hundreds of undergraduates, graduates, and faculty rallied in support
of graduate employees’ right to collective bargaining.

Co-president Theresa Ferguson added, “At this point, the
membership will have to decide where to go from here. We will continue
to advocate for the rights of all graduate employees to bargain collectively
with the University.”

* The bargaining unit is the group of employees formally
represented by the union in collective bargaining.

For more on the Appellate Court ruling that the Supreme
Court upheld, click here.