GEO is one of the oldest and strongest graduate student unions in the country. Our contract reflects this. It is the result of decades of organizing and struggle. Thanks to graduate students like you, everyone in GEO-protected positions is strongly protected from overwork, harassment, discrimination, and other mistreatment and exploitation. These protections apply regardless of job classification: if you’re a TA, TO, RA, PA, Intern, Trainee, or Fellow, you’re in the bargaining unit and you’re covered!
Click here to read the 2020-2023 collective bargaining agreement between GEO and the university!
Highlights from this cycle of bargaining include:
- 7.69% wage increases
- 50% waiver of the Graduate Service Fee
- Inclusion of “non-working” fellows (i.e. grads funded via external fellowship) in the GEO bargaining unit—a precedent-setting win for graduate employees!
- Inclusion of “caste” as a protected category
- Requirements for lactation spaces
- Time off bank for visa issues and bereavement
- Juneteenth formally recognized as paid holiday
and more!
If you’re experiencing problems at work, no matter how small, write to us at geo@umass.edu right away! The sooner we can address problems like these, the better chance we have of resolving them quickly. You can also reach out to the Grievance Coordinator or any of the other GEO leaders (find everyone’s emails here).