GEO ESTABLISHES $50,000 STRIKE FUND

THE GRADUATE EMPLOYEES ORGANIZATION HAS ESTABLISHED A $50,000 STRIKE FUND TO AID STRIKING GRADUATE EMPLOYEES.

The GEO has set aside this significant amount of money in order to provide financial security for graduate employees in the event of a strike. Any card-signing member of the GEO would be eligible to benefit from the Strike Fund should the university attempt to dock pay for missed hours of work. The GEO is considering a strike at this point because the UIC administration has proposed changes to contract language that would allow departments to set tuition waiver and differential policies themselves, which would open up the possibility for departments to offer partial waivers, limit waivers to certain types of students, or otherwise deny graduate employees their full waivers.

In addition, the university has refused to add language to our contract limiting tuition differentials, which have been eroding our waivers and stipends for years. The GEO demands that the university guarantee economic security for graduate employees by agreeing to secure tuition waivers, and put an end to skyrocketing tuition differentials immediately.

Remember to attend the GEO’s EMERGENCY STRIKE MEETING this Thursday, April 1, 5-7pm ROOM 329 SCE. We will present the responses we have received from the administration on Wednesday and vote on whether those responses are acceptable. In the meantime, get a GEO “Ready to Strike” button from your departmental steward (or drop by 310 S. Peoria, Suite 305), and sign our petition to the Board of Trustees demanding a fair contract now.