Announcement: Automatic Health Insurance Enrollment

Posted on July 28, 2010 by geo

If you are concerned about maintaining continuous health coverage through UHS, make sure you have enrolled in classes for next semester.

If you are enrolled in fewer than five credits, are on program fee, need the family plan or are enrolled in classes through Continuing Education, you need to contact UHS Patient Services to enroll.  Tell them if you are GEO-eligible.

Once you have enrolled in classes you will be billed for the insurance, but sign up early to avoid a lapse in coverage.  Also notify UHS if you have signed a GEO contract but your deduction is not taken out of your bill.

UHS Patient Services: (413) 577-5192

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Grad Students May Be Eligible for Fuel Assistance

Posted on August 25, 2010 by geo

The Massachusetts Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is currently accepting applications for fuel assistance this winter.  If heating costs (oil, gas, electricity, etc seem daunting this winter, consider applying for help.  With the rise in prescription copays, insurance deductibles and our still un-funded contract, GEO members can use all the help they can get.

Go to their website for more information, how to apply or to take an eligibility questionaire.

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Contraceptive Prices Should Not Have Risen! Call UHS Today

Posted on August 13, 2010 by geo

GEO-UAW is currently filing a grievance over the unfair contraceptive prices, a slow, but hopefully effective process.
Our contract says the prices for birth control will never be over $10, so the administration is using a 2005 law to try to charge more. That law has since been overturned, but the prices at the UHS pharmacy still haven’t been capped since August 1st! Call Bernie Melby, the director of UHS, to let her know we don’t appreciate her breaking our contract and overcharging graduate students who need contraceptives.
If you, or someone on your plan, is buying contraceptives through UHS, please call or email the GEO office to put your name on a group grievance.
While the grievance process is a great tool for union members, we need to have our voices heard now.

Call Bernie Melby at (413) 577 5000 and encourage your friends to do the same.  For more details on the birth control issue see our web post.

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Next Insurance Meeting 8/3/2010

Posted on August 2, 2010 by geo

If you didn’t get a chance to come to our last insurance information and discussion meeting, there will be another one tomorrow, August 3.

These serve to explain the changes in the SHIP (co-pays, plan year maximums) as well as explain the state of our Health and Wellness Trust and what changes need to be made.

We also will discuss the ways the administration has mislead and underfunded us, and what we can do about it.

Come join us in the North Village Community Room, H2, for pizza at 7:30pm.

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UAW 2322 Job Posting

Posted on August 1, 2010 by admin

Position: Office Manager (GEO office/UMass Amherst campus)

Job Duties include but are not limited to:

  • Manage membership database (input form and send on to UMass office)
  • Various clerical duties (word processing, copying, faxing, filing)
  • Answering & redirecting phone calls
  • Checking email, mail, voicemail and answering or redirecting as necessary.
  • Keeping track of staff schedules
  • Assist in preparing mailings (including bi-yearly Hudson report)
  • Design & edit printed materials (letters, postcards, pins, t-shirts, flyers, leaflets, and other materials)
  • Prepare materials for Assembly & Committee meetings (Prepare agenda, file minutes, send reminders)
  • Maintain website
  • Order & maintain supplies for the office and equipment (also scheduling equipment maintenance)
  • Maintain methods of communication with membership and individualized groups (Stewards, Committees, Assembly…)
  • Prepare orientation packets for new members
  • Maintain membership card & discount program for members (in coordination with 2322 office manager)
  • Work in close communications with 2322 office to share information & monitor situations
  • Compare UMass dues report with database to verify payments
  • Physically organize files, supplies and various work materials
  • Maintain grievance & invoice databases (in development)
  • Taking minutes at staff meetings
  • Check mail & messages for out of office staff and forward appropriately
  • Maintaining communications with Local office, including attending staff meetings, forwarding weekly vouchers, etc.
  • Help maintain GEO budget
  • Additional duties as required

Qualifications

  • Pleasant phone manner
  • Ability to take accurate messages/notes
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Knowledge of database management
  • Knowledge of MicroSoft office programs
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Knowledge of or willingness to learn about unions & UAW
  • Ability to effectively assist people in crisis
  • Ability to multitask in a stressful environment
  • Ability to respect member confidentiality

Pay and Benefits

  • Pay and benefits will be based on current contract language.
  • This is a salary position and covered by a union security agreement.

Interested parties should send resumes to:
Scott LaRochelle

UAW Local 2322
4 Open Square Way, #406
Holyoke, MA 01040		 Fax: 413.534.7611
E-Mail: scott@uaw2322.org

Deadline for receipt is August 14th, 2010

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