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 The Graduate Employees' Organization IFT/AFT (GEO) is the official union that represents graduate students who work for the University as Teaching and Graduate Assistants.
As a volunteer-driven and democratic union, we advocate for graduate employees and provide a social and political space to negotiate graduate school. As you get settled check out our newest version of the Guide to Chambana to get advice on where to eat, shop and check out library books.
In August, check back for the date/time of our annual Alternative Orientation party and stop by the GEO office on the 2nd floor of the University YMCA (1001 S. Wright St., Champaign).
Posted July 01, 2008
The Critical Research And Action Caucus will meet monthly to discuss research and organizing strategies focused on local and global social justice struggles. We hope to provide a space to share ideas, readings, and research that address and challenge the ways that racial, sexual, class, gender, colonial, and ability hierarchies structure our experiences.
Visit our blog with updates, readings, and action items: http://craac.wordpress.com/
Although we are a caucus of the GEO Local 6300 IFT/AFT/AFL-CIO, community members, students, and faculty are invited to join us!
Posted June 30, 2008
Hey, wouldn't it be cool if we could go on this site and see if our departments have stewards or not? And then click on "make me the steward"? And then click on "wait a minute, what should I do first as the steward?"
Keith Taylor and the rest of the new Comm(unications) Comm(ittee) are working on this for the fall. There will also be a main blog and department blogs, the ability to update your own profile information, and resources for how to talk to people about the GEO. Very cool... stay tuned for updates.
Posted June 29, 2008
At the AGEL conference, the GEO received one of only three existing binders detailing the secrets of the University of Michigan GEO in their successful fight to secure a fair contract this year. The binder begins with a timeline that breaks down activities from the months prior to settlement, and a list of key points, including the advice that "bargaining can be, and often is, fetishized."
A flyer entitled "GEO Does the Math: Monthly compounding shortfall in Graduate Employee living expenses based on the University's own Office of Financial Aid" hits close to home. It presents a graph of debt that a student working at the minimum stipend would be forced to take on in the course of a year: the figures end the academic year only $800 in the red, but by the end of the summer, this shortfall has reached $4400.
As we organize around a living wage this year, these successful communication and action strategies can help us shape our message to the University. Tips for Platform Development, Actions, Bargaining, Member Communications, and Solidarity are organized by topic within the binder.
It's is available in the GEO office- stop by and have a look anytime.
Posted June 03, 2008
On May 22-25, the GEO will be hosting the Alliance of Graduate Employee Locals (AGEL) conference!
All GEO members are encouraged to participate in all or part of the conference, including meals and the nighttime social activities.
If you are planning to attend, please contact Dave Beck
Click here to see the conference agenda.
Posted May 08, 2008
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