We will stand up for each other. As the far right rises across the globe, the surest path to a secure and equitable future is by building a powerful labor movement that practices solidarity through struggle. Read our full statement for our commitments and for a list of support resources.

GEO held a picket last Thursday to stand up against continuous neglect and exploitation of international workers. 34 members showed up to the Student Services Building where the Office of International Services is located. For over an hour, we shouted chants, sang in solidarity, and walked without stopping with our message held high — GEO is an international union and we won’t let UIC ignore a vital part of our membership.

Last week, GEO members delivered a petition to Student Affairs, in the Office of the Dean of Students, concerning the repression of international graduate workers to informally resolve grievances with the Office of International Services. 

Last Summer we filed a grievance regarding Summer CampusCare enrollment. The arbitrator in this case has now ruled: we lose. Read more about the context, the ruling, and next steps inside.

International workers at UIC face unique challenges, from extra taxes and fees to an opaque and burdensome bureaucracy. But events this past month have demonstrated that when workers bravely assert their rights in this process, the university has no qualms responding with heavy-handed and downright illegal suppression. Read the full report back inside.

At the March GMM, members passed a resolution demanding GEO taking a more active position against Israel's genocide in Gaza. This week, we took another step towards that goal: after weeks organizing with other AFT locals around the country, our AFT delegation helped author a resolution calling on our parent union to divest from $150k in Israeli bonds. This week, our delegates submitted it to the GEO Steering Committee for ratification, where it passed unanimously. The next step will be fighting for the resolution at next month's AFT convention - stay tuned for updates! Read the full resolution inside.

On June 5th, GEO held our first ever grad workers' assembly in the West Campus Courtyard! This was a space for the bargaining committee to share survey results, and for members to speak up about their concerns and priorities. Read the full report back inside.

This Wednesday, GEO members and our allies rallied on the quad to deliver a clear demand: dissolve the task force on political statements. We didn’t back down under pressure and we made sure higher-ups got the message: GEO fights for academic freedom. Read the full report back inside.

It’s been a big year for GEO, from decreasing dues to RAs unanimously voting to join GEO. We think we’re healthier, stronger, and more engaged union after this year, and we hope you’ll agree; read the AY 23-24 steering committee’s reflection on this year’s work inside.

On March 26, Chancellor Miranda announced a Task Force on “Statement Guidelines”, in direct response to the rising tide of solidarity with Palestine across UIC. In the strongest possible terms, GEO condemns this Task Force and calls on Chancellor Miranda to dissolve it immediately. You can sign onto our letter using this link.

The results are in! Members have selected the AY 24-25 Steering Committee, the Bargaining Committee for our next contract negotiations, and the delegates who will represent GEO at the AFT Convention this Summer. Results inside!

At our last General Membership Meeting, members brought and passed a proposal related to actions GEO should take to support the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divest, and Sanction (BDS) against Israel. Read about what we have done and will do next.

It's time once again for GEO leadership elections! From April 8th to 10th, Members will be voting for the 24-25 Steering Committee and the Bargaining Committee that will be bargaining our next contract. Nominations are now open.

This week, Research Assistants were asked whether or not to unionize with GEO, and the results are in. The vote was unanimous–not a single Research Assistant voted against unionization.

Thank you to everybody who attended the GMM last Thursday. We had a lot of great discussion about the budget and bargaining, and the membership passed a proposal related to bargaining bottom lines.

Spring 2024 GMM will be on February 1st, 2024 in Gallery 400.
Doors will open at 5 and official programming will start at 5:30. Food and drink will be provided! Come learn more about the union and meet fellow members!

We’re excited to announce that we have officially filed our RA unionization interest petition with the labor board–Research Assistants at UIC are one step closer to having a union! This is a huge step, but it's only the first step.

Can I be retaliated against for my political views? Can I be fired for joining student protests? GEO members have put together a guide to answer these questions and more. Read it here. And if you’re facing retaliation, let us know—reach out to us at grievance@uicgeo.org.

Being a graduate worker is hard, and it's even harder to find available resources that can help make life a bit easier. We've started a list of available resources for those who experience hardship. If you know of any resources that can be added to this list, reach out to steering@uicgeo.org.

Today marks the first paycheck of the fall semester. Many members experience late pay issues or have a hard time finding a way to check their paystubs. We have drafted a guide to help members check their paycheck so they can verify that they're being paid the right amount.

Over the past year, GEO and the university worked together to create a set of recommendations on how to address the issues associated with semester-by-semester appointment.

We signed an agreement with the university: it guarantees that continuing assistants will receive a 4% raise even if their offer letters reflect a 3.75% raise.