As someone working in a GEO position, you have a number of rights and protections that non-union workers do not have. These come from your union contract! If the employer violates your contract, you have real recourse through the grievance procedure.
A grievance is a legal complaint that the employer has violated the contract, state, or federal law, their own policies, or deviated from long-standing past practices in a workplace. Grievances can be filed by individuals OR on behalf of a group of workers.
Some common examples of contract violations include:
- Late pay due to delays in processing contracts
- Delays in processing workplace accessibility accomodations
- Harassment and sexual harassment
- Overwork
- Misclassification of GEO positions as “grad hourly”
- Wrongful/unilateral termination or disciplinary action
- Unsafe workplaces (i.e. overheated buildings, pest infestations, mold, leaky ceilings, etc.)
- Wrongful exclusion of some “non-working” fellowships, including traineeship grants, from GEO
Please note that it is illegal and a violation of our contract to retaliate against ANYONE for filing a grievance. So if you suspect your rights or someone else’s rights in your department are being violated, get in touch with your steward, the grievance coordinator (shane@geouaw.org), and GEO leadership right away!