Milk carton. On the right side, it has a cow and "2% raise." On the left side, it says and "MISSING" with no picture but instead, "Dignity & Affordability" below it. Under that, it says, "Have you seen me? If you have any information please contact geo3550.org"

Click here for a printable PDF version of this bulletin.

HR Proposes Effective Wage Cut, Rejects Almost All Grad Workers’ Proposals

Over 250 workers participated in bargaining on Friday in anticipation of HR’s counter on our demand for a living wage. Since 2020, the gap between our salary and the local cost of living has tripled to over $14.5k. In November, grad workers proposed that the University pay us a living wage of $38,500. Three months later, HR has responded with a proposal for an annual 2% raise for each year of the contract (2023-2026).

“If they’re saying our demand for a raise is ludicrous, it’s only because what we’re getting paid now is ludicrous.”

– Madeleine, History of Art

Given the high levels of inflation, a 2% raise each year is actually a pay cut. Compare this with the 7.7% raise Provost McCauley got last year (Salary: $547,892). Meanwhile, GSI labor generates at least $200 million in surplus for U-M annually. Paying us a living wage would cost a fraction of that, about $33 million. Although HR claims to understand the problems grads are facing, they again flatly rejected most of our proposals without putting forward any proposals of their own. HR has gone so far as to take away hard-won contract provisions, including DEI GSSAs and pay parity for GSIs in Dearborn. The University has rejected almost our entire platform.

“2% is milk numbers, not raise numbers.”

– Isaac, Chemistry
Milk carton. On the right side, it has a cow and "2% raise." On the left side, it says and "MISSING" with no picture but instead, "Dignity & Affordability" below it. Under that, it says, "Have you seen me? If you have any information please contact geo3550.org"

TAKE ACTION: Week of Grad Labor Visibility

It’s time to show the University that we’re serious about our demands. Take action by participating in the Week of Grad Labor Visibility, Feb 6-10! Let’s make the value we create for the University visible. Check out bit.ly/GEOGradWeek.

We are worth more than 2%!

GEO ProposalU-M Counter
A living wage of $38.5kEffective pay cut
Payments 4 PlacementsRejected
Premium-free dental II & visionRejected
Eliminate copays for mental health and
chronic conditions
Rejected
Reasonable trans healthcare capacityRejected
Use up-to-date trans healthcare standardsRejected
Emergency healthcare fundRejected
Affordable & accessible childcareRejected
Reproductive health fundRejected
Reimburse immigration feesRejected
IGSI emergency fundRejected
Simpler GSI application processRejected
Class size capRejected
Accessible accommodationsRejected
Transitional funding for victims of abuseRejected
GSSAs for DEI, public safety, and
Disability Cultural Center
Rejected
GSI can require masks in classRejected
Remove discriminatory felony
disclosure requirement
Rejected
Unarmed, non-police crisis responseRejected
Immigration protectionsRejected

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