Organizing Committee members are responsible for member recruitment, engagement, and participation. Members of OC ask their coworkers about their working/living conditions and bring them into GEO’s community of graduate workers. We facilitate opportunities for graduate workers to advocate for themselves as a collective and build relationships among union members, so that we can be strong enough to confront University management and fight for our rights.

The Solidarity and Political Action Committee (SPAC) builds and strengthens GEO’s local, county, state, and national networks of solidarities. Members of SPAC write/publish solidarity statements, mobilize members to picket lines and demonstrations, and work in coalition with other organizations for social, economic, and racial justice. SPAC is committed to making GEO inclusive and affirming for all members. 

The Communications Committee (Comms) keeps comrades all over the world up-to-date with our campaigns and struggles against the boss. We manage GEO social media accounts, photographically document GEO actions, liaison with interested press, and design posters, flyers & graphic images. We welcome U-M grad workers with experience in these areas, as well as beginners.

Grievance Committee is responsible for enforcing the contract and assisting workers in managing workplace issues. We educate and support members on both formal and informal mechanisms to solve issues. If your rights have been violated or if you want to advocate for others, contact Grievance Committee.

Contract Committee is responsible for fighting for a better contract for ourselves. Contract Committee members develop new contract proposals to secure the rights and compensation you and your coworkers deserve! Contract Committee’s focus changes year-to-year, depending on what stage in the contract cycle we are (developing new demands, negotiating the contract, or enforcing it).

Almost all the organizing work that GEO does involves money, and Finance Committee is the place to be if you have ideas on how we should collect and spend our membership dues. Finance Committee members work alongside the Treasurer and Finance Manager to shape our investment strategy and consult for GEO members who need resources. If you have a knack for numbers and want to learn the business of running a democratic union, then Finance Committee wants you!

The Tech and Data Committee works on all technology-related tasks within GEO. Tech Committee members maintain the website and member Discord, set up audio/visual equipment at events, and maintain our union’s hardware and software assets. Data Committee members maintain our membership database, build codebases for data analysis, and ensure that organizers have all the data they need to measure and achieve their goals.

The Liberation and Political Education Committee (LPEC) provides a dedicated space within GEO to advance the goals of global liberation, deepen political education, and build transformative organizing capacity among our membership. 

The Abolition Caucus works toward the realization of a workplace and university community in which campus safety is determined by students, staff, and workers, not the Regents. They develop contract demands, provide political education within the union, and support community campaigns to transform public safety at the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor, and throughout Washtenaw County. The Caucus developed out of the Emergency Policing Working Group and the September 2020 strike.

The Climate Caucus examines how the university contributes to the climate crisis and advocates for greater prioritization of environmental needs. Current projects include working with city council and the University around improving local bike transit corridors and public transportation access, supporting advocacy for public power in Ann Arbor, and partnering with other local unions to consider and prioritize workers in the transition to renewables through Huron Valley Area Labor Federation’s Just Transition Committee.

The Disability Caucus works to address all three Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) components when it comes to GSIs and students with disabilities at UM. This year, they’ll work to ensure that workers with disabilities have everything they need to be teachers and researchers and assist people through the accommodations procedure. To join us, email  disabilitychair@geo3550.org and check out our  page of resources here!

The feminist caucus’s primary focus is improving campus climate and culture around gendered violence, harassment and discrimination. This year, they will work on finding improvements both inside and outside of our employment contract and prepare for a joint committee with the University on a Workplace Free from Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct.

The Housing Caucus is dedicated to pursuing housing justice in and around the University of Michigan. In 2021-22 the caucus, in collaboration with Huron Valley Democratic Socialists of America (HVDSA) and Ann Arbor Tenants Union (AATU), spearheaded the passage of early leasing and just cause eviction ordinances in the city of Ann Arbor. We are currently working to expand these protections to areas heavily populated by graduate students, including Ypsi and Pittsfield. Additional projects include advocating for a repeal of the statewide ban on rent control and supporting graduate students living in the University of Michigan’s graduate residences. To join us, email  housingchair@geo3550.org and check out  how we are fighting for our community

The International Graduate Workers (IGW) Caucus troubleshoots issues specific to International individuals. This year, the caucus is holding meetings to focus on contract issues related to IGWs and make sure international student voices are represented during conversations around COVID and remote teaching. Make sure to check out  our resources!

GEO’s Masters Caucus organizes students in Master’s, Professional, or Certificate programs (e.g., those pursuing JD, MA, MBA, MPH, MPP, MS, MSW, etc.). We advocate not only for the concerns of Master’s GSI/GSSAs, but also the rights of Master’s students as laborers, residents, students, and owners of the University at large. Our enduring hope is to strive for a future where every Master’s student has the opportunity to secure funding for their education for at least one semester.

The Parents and Caregivers Caucus advocates for the needs of grad students with dependents. For example, in 2020–2021, caucus members focused on concerns around COVID and remote teaching. If you’re interested, email us at  parentscaucus@geo3550.org and make sure to  know your rights!

QT Caucus is advocating for trans accessible healthcare coverage for graduate students and the wider trans community. If you wanna get involved, let us know at  transhealthchair@geo3550.org

Researcher Caucus is the organizing group for graduate research assistants across the University of Michigan to advocate for their needs and concerns, and work together to formulate collective demands from the University. It is currently made up of current and past GSRAs, and is thus open to any student researcher who had or has a GSRA appointment, as well as any interested allies.