-
GEO sends letter to Governor Whitmer urging her to rescind endorsement of UM Regent candidate Jordan Acker
APRIL 14, 2026 — The Graduate Employees’ Organization (AFT-MI 3550) today sent the below letter to Governor Whitmer, urging her to rescind her endorsement of UM regent candidate incumbent Jordan Acker. GEO stands by our endorsement of Amir Makled for UM regent. Governor Whitmer, De-Endorse U-M Regent Jordan Acker Dear Governor Whitmer, We recently learned…
-
GSRAs Win Unionization Vote!
March 30th, 2026—Since 1974, Graduate Student Instructors and Staff at the University of Michigan have fought for and won higher pay, healthcare, and better working conditions through their labor union, the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO). Now, after winning an accretion election on Thursday, March 26th with a 92% majority, over 2,200 Graduate Student Research Assistants…
-
Graduate Researchers Succeed in Card Campaign and Take a Decisive Step Towards Union Representation
Since 1974, Graduate Student Instructors and Staff at the University of Michigan have fought for and won higher pay, healthcare, and better working conditions through the Graduate Employees Organization, GEO. After 50 years of organizing, GEO has succeeded in securing an election to extend these protections to Graduate Researchers. If passed, the March 25, 2026…
-
Graduate Workers at U-M Stand in Solidarity with Minnesota
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 Labor Federation, AFL-CIO and its many affiliates are encouraging members to take part in the…
-
GEO Condemns U-M’s Firing of 3 International Graduate Workers
The Graduate Employees’ Organization at the University of Michigan condemns in the strongest possible terms the University of Michigan’s unconscionable decision to fire 3 international graduate workers and terminate their SEVIS statuses, resulting in their detention by ICE on October 16. At a time when the University should be standing up for its international workers,…
-
GEO Condemns U-M Regents’ Retaliatory Disciplinary Charges Against Pro-Palestine Student Protesters
ANN ARBOR, MI – Last week, the Graduate Employees’ Organization – AFT Local 3550 (GEO) at the University of Michigan, representing over 2,000 Graduate Student Instructors and Staff Assistants, learned that more than ten undergraduate and graduate students at U-M have been charged by the University’s Office of Student Conflict Resolution (OSCR) for their participation…
-
GEO Celebrates MI AG Dana Nessel Dropping Charges Against 7 of the U-M Encampment 11, Union Members
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: GEO Celebrates MI AG Dana Nessel Dropping Charges Against 7 of the U-M Encampment 11, Union Members May 6, 2025 Contact – GEO Communications Co-Chairs, commchair@geo3550.org The Graduate Employees’ Organization AFT Local 3550 celebrates the announcement that MI AG Dana Nessel has dropped her criminal prosecution of seven of the “U-M Encampment 11”…
-
University of Michigan Grad Workers Host 50th Anniversary Workers’ Gala
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: University of Michigan Grad Workers Host 50th Anniversary Workers’ Gala Saturday, April 26, 2025 Contact: commchair@geo3550.org ANN ARBOR, MI — The evening of Saturday, April 26, graduate workers at the University of Michigan are hosting a Workers’ Gala to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Graduate Employees’ Organization – AFT Local 3550, a…
-
FBI and police raid homes of pro-Palestine activists, including a GEO member
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FBI and state/local police raid the residences of University of Michigan pro-Palestine activists, including a GEO member Wednesday, April 23, 2025 Contact: commchair@geo3550.org ANN ARBOR, MI – Early this morning, law enforcement organizations—including the FBI, the Michigan State Police, and local police departments—executed searches at five residences of pro-Palestine activists at the…
-
President Santa Ono Fails to Protect University of Michigan International Grad Workers
APRIL 10, 2025 — After days of silence from University of Michigan administration, U-M President Santa Ono sent a campus-wide email on April 9 to address the increasing number of visa revocations of U-M international students and grad workers. At the time of his email, 22 enrolled students and workers have had their visas revoked…
-
GEO Condemns Visa Revocations of International Graduate Students
UPDATE 4/9/2025 2:45 pm: 22 enrolled students and graduates have had their visas and SEVIS statuses terminated. UPDATE 4/9/2025 1:00 pm: GEO has confirmed that seven University of Michigan graduate students have had their visas revoked. APRIL 8, 2025 — Over the weekend, the Graduate Employees’ Organization – AFT Local 3550 at the University of Michigan,…
-
GEO Statement In Solidarity with Workers and Students at Columbia University
The Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO), AFT-MI Local 3550, AFL-CIO, at the University of Michigan firmly opposes the heinous actions taken against Grant Miner, president of Student Workers of Columbia (UAW Local 2710), whose employment was illegally terminated yesterday for alleged involvement in protests against the genocide in Gaza, and Mahmoud Khalil, activist, graduate student and…
-
GEO Statement on Ann Arbor City Council Palestine Resolution
The members of the Graduate Employees’ Organization express our support for the resolution brought to City Council by members Ghazi-Edwin, Briggs, Ackmon, and Song. For months, we have watched in horror as tens of thousands of Palestinians have been brutally murdered by the Israeli war machine. The United States government has been an active participant…
-
40 Students Arrested Seeking Meeting with University of Michigan President
ANN ARBOR, Mich– Friday, November 17, 2023— During the Global Day of Action for Palestine on Friday, the University of Michigan police arrested 40 students protesting against the University’s role in supporting Israel’s genocide in Gaza. The students, who represent a broad multicultural coalition of over 55 campus organizations, sat in University President Santa Ono’s…
-
GEO, U-M Reach Settlement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News from Graduate Employees’ Organization 3550 August 29, 2023 ANN ARBOR—Members of the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO), American Federation of Teachers Local 3550, and the University of Michigan came to a settlement agreement on August 25, 2023. This agreement came after a two-day, online vote that took place from August 22 to…
-
Graduate Workers Rally and Ratify New Contract
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENews from Graduate Employees’ Organization 3550August 25, 2023 Graduate Workers Rally and Ratify New Contract ANN ARBOR— On Friday, August 25, 2023, members of the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO), American Federation of Teachers Local 3550, held a rally and press conference to announce the ratification of their new contract. 97% of members voted…
-
Graduate Workers Vote to Pass Comprehensive Counterproposal to U-M HR at Aug 10 General Membership Meeting
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News from Graduate Employees’ Organization 3550 August 11, 2023 Graduate Workers Vote to Pass Comprehensive Counterproposal to U-M HR at Aug 10 General Membership Meeting ANN ARBOR— On Thursday, August 10, graduate workers, organized through the Graduate Employees’ Organization AFT Local 3550 (GEO), voted to pass a comprehensive counterproposal to U-M Human…
-
Negotiation Bulletin #45: Grads Vote to Keep Fighting: Week of Discussion Leads to Comprehensive Counter-offer
At a mass meeting attended by nearly 500 people on Thursday, August 10, grad workers voted to respond to the Administration’s August 2 offer with a counter pushing for more gains. The meeting capped off a week of discussion, in which over 300 members participated in 32 department meetings, more than 14 working group meetings,…
