Important Questions Answered

The Graduate Employee Organization (GEO) is a unit of Local 2322, United Auto Workers (UAW). As a new member, you are joining a union of graduate employees that includes teaching, research, and project assistants, teaching associates, interns, trainees, working fellows, and assistant residence directors. As a union we negotiate a legally binding contract with the UMass administration every two to three years which covers our wages, benefits and working conditions.

What are Unions?
What is GEO?
What does GEO do?
How do I join?
How much are dues?
What happens if I have a problem at work?
Who makes decisions at GEO?
How can I participate in GEO?
Are there any other unions at UMass?
Are their other graduate employee unions in the US and Canada?
FAQs on Funding of our Current Contract

Unions...
1. are made up of working people working together to solve problems, build stronger workplaces and give working families a real voice. Unions stand for fair treatment of all working people - on the job, in our communities and in the economy.

2. give working people a voice in government. They represent working families before lawmakers, and make sure politicians never forget that working families voted them into office.

3. give workers a voice on the job about safety, security, pay, benefits - and about the best ways to get the work done. That helps working families, the companies that employ them and the customers who use their products and services.

4. work for equal treatment and fight discrimination. We marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s, and we continue to fight for justice for women and minorities in collective bargaining as well as legislation.

5. help working families get a fair shake in today's economy. Union workers earn an average of $155 (or 33 percent) more each week than non-union workers and are much more likely to have health and pension benefits. On the job and in national policy debates, we are committed to seeing that working families, not just rich CEOs, benefit from our labor.

6. strengthen communities. We promote economic development, partner with community groups and pitch in when disaster strikes.

Reprinted with permission from AFL-CIO Online

What is GEO?
GEO is a union which represents approximately 2,500 graduate employees at UMass/Amherst. We are a unit of United Auto Workers Local 2322, based in Holyoke, which represents 3600 workers in the fields of higher education, early childhood education, health and human services from 15 other workplaces in the Pioneer Valley. Through our local and the UAW we have access to experienced staff and the UAW's research, health and safety, and legal departments. Through our relationship with the UAW, we also get help with negotiations, grievances, arbitration, political action, union publications, education and training, and more.

What does GEO do?
Contract Bargaining.
Perhaps the most important thing that GEO does is "collectively bargains" a contract with the University which governs the working conditions of graduate employees on this campus. Unlike casual conversations, complaints, or pleadings with employers on the part of employees, the outcome of collective bargaining is legally binding. Unionized employees are the only workers able to collectively bargain. Through our negotiations with the University, we have won a more than doubling of stipends, tuition/fee waivers, health and dental coverage, child care, ALANA recruitment and retention funds, and much more for graduate employees on this campus.

Contract Enforcement.
In addition to bargaining a contract, we also have staff who consistently enforce that contract. Grad employees whose contract rights have been violated can file a "grievance" to redress the violation (see the "Grievance" section of this webpage).

Social Justice and Advocacy Work.
GEO is also on the forefront in fighting for social justice on this campus. GEO is committed to making public education accessible for all students, regardless of income. Since 1990, we have been actively working to increase educational access and awareness of social issues. We have played a central role in the "Save UMass" campaign to increase funding for the University, and we continue to fight for ALANA recruitment and retetion on this campus.

Administration and Support.
Finally, GEO staff and leadership help to administer the benefits we have won, particularly the dental plan, and are available to answer any questions you might have on your benefits and rights as a graduate employee.

How do I join?
To be a voting member of GEO, you must check off the box for membership on your Dues Deduction Form. This form is often attached to your assistantship contract given to you by your department. Otherwise, you can sign it at the large new employee orientation hosted by the Graduate School, or you can pick one up in the GEO office in room 201 of the Student Union.

How much are dues?
Dues are 2% of your salary. For employees with a 20 hour/week assistantship contract, this works out to about $6 a week. Graduate employees who choose not to join the union must pay an "Agency Fee," as established under state law.  This amount is recalculated each year.  Through August 31, 2007 the agency fee is 1.83% of your salary.

What happens if I have a problem at work?
Another benefit of belonging to the union is that you are never alone when things go wrong at work. GEO employs a Grievance Coordinator, who chairs the Grievance Committee. These knowlegable GEO representatives will work with you to develop the best plan to resolve your problem. There are many ways to solve problems at work both formally and informally. If the contract covers the issues you are raising, we can file a formal grievance.

Who makes decisions at GEO?
Ultimately, the members govern GEO. Major decisions affecting the union are made by the membership at Membership Meetings. Between membership meetings, decisions are made by the Stewards' Assembly (composed of steward-representatives from every department or work group). And on a day to day basis, decisions are made by the elected Steering Committee (composed of the elected officers, at-large members, and reps. from the Stewards' Assembly).

How can I participate in GEO?
There are many ways to participate and all members are encouraged to be active. One way to get involved is to become a steward -- essentially a departmental representative. Another way to get involved is to serve on a committee, such as organizing, health and welfare, finance, civil rights, hiring, elections, bargaining, etc. Committees are open to any and all GEO members. You can also help out in one of the various campaigns GEO is working on at any time. The most basic support you can lend is in attending our monthly membership meetings, adding your voice to how your union is run.

Are there any other unions at UMass?
The University of Massachusetts system consists of 5 campuses -- Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell, and Worchester. Most of the workers at each of these campuses are represented by unions. Both Lowell and Boston also have GEOs for their graduate employees, and on our campus, the faculty, police, clerical staff, administrators, and blue collar employees are also unionized. We meet with the leadership of the other 4 unions on campus through the "Labor Council."

Are there other graduate employee unions in the US and Canada?
GEO is part of a larger union movement within higher education. Graduate student employees are also unionized at Univ. of Michigan, Univ. of Wisconsin, NYU, Yale, the Univ. of California system, Univ. of Iowa, Univ. of Kansas, Univ. of Maryland (to name a few) and are currently fighting for recognition at Columbia, Univ. of Washington, and Tufts.

Please suggest other questions you would like answered by emailing geo@external.umass.edu