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Victory: Grad Workers Win Open Bargaining
After months of GEO members and allies applying pressure and refusing to back down from open bargaining, HR finally agreed to dismiss the mediator and discuss substantive issues with grad workers in attendance. HR ultimately acceded to GEO’s key sticking points: grad workers will be able to attend negotiations in-person or by Zoom, with options to invite guests affected by the negotiations. This comes after GEO members rallied outside the DEI 1.0 information session this week to highlight how GEO proposals and open bargaining align with UM’s stated DEI values.
“After lots of anticipation, I am excited for me and my coworkers to finally make our voices heard about improving our working conditions and compensation.” – Neil, Economics
HR Finally Talks Substance
With open bargaining resolved, HR finally engaged with our proposals to make childcare affordable and accessible, guarantee our reproductive rights in our contract, fund CROS’s unarmed, non-police crisis response program, and stop the University’s union busting. Bargaining team members demonstrated the seriousness of our demands through their thoughtful and evidence-based answers.
In many cases, HR asked for concrete examples of the problems our proposals solve. This is where we can leverage the power of the open bargaining we’ve fought so hard for! If you have an experience relevant to any of our proposals, help show why our demands are so important by coming to bargaining sessions and/or submitting a testimonial to umgeo@geo3550.org!
Next: The Road to 3/1
By holding up substantive negotiations for so long over open bargaining, HR has created a serious time crisis: our contract stipulates that the parties tentatively agree on a contract by March 1. HR’s strategy appears to be to run out the clock on the assumption that this will dissipate our energy. Let’s prove them wrong. Sign up to attend open bargaining at the link below!
“I came to show solidarity for international students and the undue burdens they face. I think it’s important to be active not only in the more public actions, but at every stage of bargaining.” – Ben, School of Information
Help Fight Misinformation
HR has been spreading misinformation about our positions and what’s been happening at negotiations, while glossing over the serious problems our proposals would solve. Help educate faculty, staff, and undergrads in your department by inviting them to a community town hall on January 24 from 4-6 pm at Rackham Amphitheater and on Zoom. RSVP: bit.ly/GEOTownHallJan24
Bargaining takes place every Friday. Sign up to attend sessions at http://bit.ly/bargsesh.
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