Dear GEO Members, Next semester, negotiations will commence on a new collective bargaining agreement; the contract between GEO/UAW2322 and the University that governs the terms and conditions of your employment. GEO is a democratically-run organization and a successful contract campaign depends on your participation both at the bargaining table and in the field. We now need to elect a bargaining committee to coordinate and lead this campaign.

There are FOUR PAID POSITIONS and an unlimited number of unpaid & alternate positions on the committee. See below for more information and the call for nominations. Deadline for nominations 11:59 PM on October 25th, 2019.

The Bargaining Committee:

The bargaining committee will consist of the four elected bargaining members, alternate members, and the GEO staff. The bargaining committee members will elect its chief and co-chief negotiators. All members of the bargaining committee are to serve throughout the duration of a contract negotiation and will not need to be re-elected in the event that contract negotiations are extended beyond a year. Membership will have ultimate oversight over the bargaining committee and the committee answers to and is in service to the membership. The bargaining committee’s responsibility is to assess the needs of the membership prior to negotiations and make them transparent regularly via the GEO website.

Nominations are now open for the GEO bargaining committee. The positions are listed below:

– Bargaining Research & Proposal Coordinators (2) (10 hr. contract)
– Bargaining Organizing & Mobilization Coordinators (2) (10 hr. contract)
– Bargaining Committee At-Large members (5 unpaid & unlimited alternate volunteer positions)

Call for GEO Bargaining positions
Send your nomination & a short candidate statement to: elections@geouaw.org.
Job description (pick A or B in your nomination)

A) Bargaining Research & Proposal Coordinators (2 positions):
The two Bargaining Research & Proposal Coordinators will focus on researching, drafting, discussing, and writing our contract proposals for negotiations. These elected members will also help argue for our proposals at the bargaining table with the administration. Paid GEO Bargaining team members are expected to make Bargaining-related trainings and meetings that have been scheduled (around team members’ availability). These elected members will also serve as the liaison between the negotiating/research group, and will be in regular communication with the existing listserv of members who have signed up to be active on this committee and the bargaining committee.
OR
B) Bargaining Organizing & Mobilization Coordinators (2 positions):
The two Bargaining Organizing & Mobilization Coordinators will focus on organizing members around their issues/concerns. These elected members are responsible for involving more members in the bargaining process and recruiting members to speak at the bargaining table (to administration) and for actions around contract negotiations. Paid GEO Bargaining team members are expected to make Bargaining-related trainings and meetings that have been scheduled (around team members’ availability). These elected members will also serve as the liaison between the campaigning/organizing group and will be in regular communication with stewards, the existing listserv of members who have signed up to be active on this committee, and the bargaining committee.

Any full GEO member in good standing may nominate themselves or another GEO member in good standing for any of these positions. Nominations and candidate statements are due by 11:59 PM on October 25th, 2019 and the election(s) will be held in the days leading up to and including the membership meeting on November 18th, from 3-5 PM (with advance voting in the prior  week). All positions begin duties in January 2019. The four paid coordinator positions are fully benefitted, 10/hours per week GEO jobs at the GEO minimum and shall continue through the summer and through the end of the semester in which negotiations conclude or upon resignation.

If you wish to be a Bargaining Committee At-Large member (5 unpaid & unlimited alternate volunteer positions) you may nominate yourself at the membership meeting on November 18th. If you are unable to attend that meeting, you may send your nomination & a short statement to the same email as above, elections@geouaw.org to be read at the meeting.

In solidarity,
GEO Leadership