We are a graduate union 50 years in the making.

Representing graduate workers at the University of Michigan since 1974, GEO is the oldest graduate union in the country. 

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GEO News

HR Stalls Over Table Placement and Lack of Name Placards! Read more in the bulletin below: What happened at the table: HR refused, again, to meet us in-person on Friday, instead forcing us to communicate through the state-appointed mediator, Micki […]
What did grad workers do when yet another week at the table went by with HR refusing to negotiate in person? They kept their cool, of course! Read all about January 23rd’s bargaining session in the 4th issue of the […]
JANUARY 23, 2026 — Labor unions and organizers in Minneapolis have called for a statewide general strike today in Minnesota in order to combat the federal government’s reprehensible and dehumanizing attacks on immigrants and other community members. The Minneapolis Regional […]

Solidarity Letters!

During our recent strike, labor allies wrote to all of us to express solidarity.
Click here to see all of our solidarity letters!

“U-M should stop impeding negotiations, include the 12-month funding plan in its talks with GEO, and bargain in good faith toward a fair contract that ensures affordability and dignity for all graduate workers”

Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters

“…we deplore the University’s attempt to use the courts to force our fellow union members in GEO back to work.”

The All Campus Labor Council at the University of Michigan

President Ono and Provost McCauley … have access to email lists and UM Media outlets (such as the University Record) that have been used to mischaracterize the negotiations … and trivialize the graduate students’ proposals for livable wages and healthy work conditions.

American Friends Service Committee

“They cannot make ends meet on the salary U-M pays them. Year after year, some of the most talented students we admit turn us down due to the low stipends we can offer.”

U-M Department of Comparative Literature

“… we know that graduate students’ working conditions are undergraduates’ learning conditions … GEO is fighting for changes that would significantly improve learning outcomes across campus by making graduate workers safe and secure in their jobs.”

Shawn Fain

International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW)

We know that these workers work far more hours than they are paid for. Instead of continuing to line administrators’ pockets with sky-rocketing salaries, the University of Michigan should do the right thing and pay its graduate workers the living wage they deserve.

Fred Hahn

Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario