BARGAINING UPDATES

Bargaining Session #20 & 21, February 1 & 3, 2016

GEO held its 20th and 21st bargaining session with the University this week. On Monday, GEO presented a counter proposal to University which was met with a counter from the University. Both sides made movement towards the other. On Wednesday, GEO responded to the University’s most recent counter, the University responded, and the GEO countered (doesn’t it seem like I’m describing chess or a sporting event?). Once again, both sides made movement towards the other. At this point in time, the main outstanding differences between the two parties are wages and changes to Fair Share. As always, the University wants to pay us less than we deserve, but there have been significant advances in their position and we are close to an agreement here. However, the University has proposed changes to Fair Share that would force GEO to send signed member cards to the University. This would allow them to stop deducting fair share fees (which are used to keep the union running) from those who had not signed a card. This is something that we are still fighting against.

Our next bargaining session will be Monday February 8th, from 12-5 PM in UH 650. Note: the University will be caucusing until 1 PM and therefore will not be in the room until after 1 PM. GEO will be caucusing from 12-1 PM to discuss Fair Share and what is a proposal that we would be willing to accept. The University’s proposal on Monday will be brought to the GMM on Tuesday the 9th to get a sense of whether or not we might be ready to tentatively agree to a new contract. See you all next week!

Bargaining Session #18 & 19, January 20 & 27, 2016

On Wednesday January 20th, 2016 the University and GEO restarted negotiations which had been on hold since before Thanksgiving due to the holidays and the University Team’s vacation schedule. However, the tone of negotiations was changed with the meeting on the 20th. Dean of the Graduate College, Karen Colley, is now attending bargaining negotiations as the Chancellor’s spokesperson.

Additionally, the University brought to the GEO a new comprehensive proposal that had made significant movement from the previous position and in the context of how bargaining has been proceeding this contract negotiation season. GEO did not accept this proposal, but created a counter proposal that was presented today, Wednesday the 27th, to the University. The University responded with a counter. GEO will pass another comprehensive proposal to the University on Monday, February 1st, in UH 650 from 1-4 PM. This process will likely repeat on Wednesday, February 3rd, from 12-5 PM.

TL;DR: There has been movement from both the University and the GEO in negotiations. We will be meeting with the University again on Monday the 1st from 1-4 PM in UH 650 as well as Wednesday the 3rd from 12-5 PM also in UH 650. GEO will pass another comprehensive proposal to the University on Monday the 1st and will likely receive a response. This will likely repeat on Wednesday. Come and make your voice heard in our decisions to accept or reject the proposals that the University gives to the GEO!

Bargaining Session #17, November 21, 2015

The Bargaining Committee met with the University’s bargaining team to discuss our healthcare proposals. They had questions last week that we put off to receive their comprehensive contract proposal. We feel like we addressed the concerns that they had. The message from the University was: that CampusCare is great and incomparable to other insurance plans, that their main decision driver is cost to the program but not the users, and that when medically necessary care is not covered by our insurance its unfortunate but uncontrollable.

After discussing healthcare we asked for an update on the University’s economic proposals. They did not have one. In fact, they indicated that no update to their proposals would be forthcoming, likely until the new year. However, they did reiterate their desire for absolutely no changes to the old contract. When pushed, they indicated that they would only make changes on wages and the healthcare fee. They offered campus wage (a % increase to wages) which will most likely be 0% next semester, with the state budget stalemate given as an excuse. We are tired of their rhetoric and empty proposals.

Bargaining Session #16, November 13, 2015

The GEO met with the University for our 16th bargaining session on 11/11. We have now been in bargaining for more than 6 months and working without a contract for almost 3. The University passed us a comprehensive proposal (meaning it addressed every article in the contract), which was as terrible, if not more terrible, than we expected. Highlights include (in the order they appear in the contract):

• The University wants the rights to take away appointments without replacing them even after the offer letter is signed (This is a right we already have under the contract!!!)

• No change to the minimum and only campus wage program increases for continuing students

• No change to fees including Campus Care

• The University wants to collect signed member cards before they have given us a list of members for the semester

• The University wants the right to immediately terminate members who fail to complete ethics training

• The University wants to end guaranteed tuition waivers

The University admitted that the proposal for wages and the Campus Care fee were not necessarily accurate because their lead negotiator had not received some information that was needed. We closed the session by letting them know that we could not accept this offer and that we would like to see the real figures for wages.

Bargaining Session #15, November 6, 2015

The GEO met with the University for the 15th bargaining session on 11/04. It was decided that GEO would not pass counter-proposals back to the University as we wanted to push on through the last 2 semi-economic articles. This did not please the University (as it did not play into the game they like to play: stall, stall, stall). However, we were able to get a verbal commitment from the University that they will propose a comprehensive economic package next week. They explicitly stated that the only movement in this package would be around wages, health care, and fees and that it would be paltry and unpalatable to our members. Next week’s bargaining session (11/11) is highly important as we will see if the University delivers on their commitment to bring a comprehensive economic package and how sparse it is. 

Bargaining Session #14, October 28, 2015

The Bargaining Committee and GEO members met with the University for the 14th contract negotiations session on Wednesday 10/28/2015. Currently, 15 of 28 articles in the contract have been tentatively agreed to (TAed). 4 of those 15 do not have any changes whatsoever. 9 of those 15 articles only have global language changes (his/her -> Their | assistant -> employee); these global language changes have been tabled and are not yet agreed to. In only 2 of those 15 articles have we won some changes: a more flexible timeline for the grievance procedure and protection from termination if you miss mandatory training for an excused reason.

This means that there are still 13 articles left (out of 15) with changes. We will be polling you, the members, for your priorities at the next general membership meeting on November 11th at 6PM in Gallery 400 on Peoria St. In doing so we can hopefully speed negotiations up. Also, knowing your priorities will help the Bargaining Committee to pressure the University to present the GEO with a comprehensive financial proposal. By doing so we can show the University we know what we want, and we will not give up what we want without a tenacious fight.

Bargaining Session #9, September 2, 2015

At Wednesday’s bargaining session, the University laid down several aggressive, problematic proposals regarding the following issues:

1. Tuition Waivers: Currently, under the GEO contract, all Teaching Assistants and Graduate Assistants who are covered by the contract receive a guaranteed tuition waiver. Under the University’s proposal, tuition waivers would be guaranteed only for those with appointments at the time the contract is settled. That means that during the following semester if, for example, an employee who worked as an Research Assistant becomes a new TA, a tuition waiver may not be guaranteed––it’s all up to your department and their funding situation.

2. Non-Discrimination: A University administrator is quoted as saying, in regards to the GEO’s non-discrimination proposal, “Non-Discrimination is ridiculous.”

So the question is: what do YOU want in your contract? Do you want guaranteed tuition waivers? Do you want non-discrimination protections? This is your union, your contract, so come have your say! All members are welcome and all card-signing members can vote on proposals that are passed across the table. Join us at the table on Wednesday, September 9th from 12-5 p.m. in University Hall room 650. Even if you can only come for a part of it, join us!

Bargaining Session, August 27, 2015

For all the new TAs and GAs who are starting work this week, or for returning TAs and GAs that want to get more involved, the GEO Bargaining session is a great way to become more engaged with your union! The member-run bargaining team has been steadily meeting with the university through out summer, actively proposing improvements to the contract the governs such things as wages, tuition waivers, fee waivers, and protections against discrimination. All members are welcome and all card-signers can help create and vote on any proposals. This is YOUR contract; come have your say in its creation this Wednesday, September 2nd from 1-5 pm in University Hall Room 650. Even if you can only make it for part of the time, stop on by.

Then join your colleagues for the Welcome Back Social from 5-7 p.m. at PhD Bar (1257 S Halsted). Have some free drinks and snacks, meet some new friends from across campus, and unwind from the start of the semester.

Bargaining Session #8, August 5, 2015

The bargaining team has been unable to reach a tentative agreement with the University on any of the articles so far. We will attempt to reach an agreement again this Wednesday, August 5th from 2-5 p.m. in University Hall Room 650. If we cannot reach an agreement, we will explore the possibility of mediation. All members are welcome and while you’re at the session, you have a chance to shape and vote on all responses to university proposals. So come on over even if you can only make it for a brief time.

Plus, if you want a new and improved GEO t-shirt, let us know and we’ll bring you one! Either comment below with your size and color (black or red) or emails us at geo@email.

Bargaining Session #6, July 8, 2015

The Bargaining Committee has put together a counterproposal based on member input regarding the University’s counterproposal at the last bargaining session. They’re ready to present it at the Sixth Bargaining Session happening this Wednesday, July 8th from 12-5 p.m. in University Hall Room 650. All members are welcome and while you’re at the session, you have a chance to shape and vote on all responses to university proposals. So come on over even if you can only make it for a brief time.

Plus, if you want a new and improved GEO t-shirt, let us know and we’ll bring you one! Either comment below with your size and color or emails us at geo@email

Bargaining Session #5, July 1, 2015

It’s happening! The University stated that they would provide the GEO Bargaining Team with a comprehensive counterproposal on the non-economic contract articles for the next bargaining session happening Wednesday, July 1st from 1-5 p.m. in University Hall room 650. We’ll be going over their proposals and any members in the room will have a chance to vote on the proposals from the university. Additionally, members can help create GEO counterproposals and vote on them in the room so if you can make it, it will be a great way to engage with your contract! 

Bargaining Session #3, June 3, 2015

In this coming session, we will aim to tackle the Non-Discrimination clause, seeking to expand basic protections against harassment and discrimination. In addition, some of our members will discuss the difficulties facing gender non-conforming workers on campus. Wednesday,we need our members to come and support the bargaining team to ensure we win a strong contract. Even if you are able to attend for a short time, please come, so that the we may keep a consistent presence of members in the room. join us on Wednesday, June 3rd from 12:15 pm to 4 pm in University Hall Room 650! Bring a friend and wear red! 

Bargaining Session #2, May 7, 2015

At the first session yesterday, we presented the comprehensive proposal to the University. Now it’s their turn to respond. Since there are several articles with few or no changes, we’re hoping to start on those and get them out of the way. Let’s keep up the momentum with a great turnout again and join us on Wednesday, May 20th from 9 am-1 pm in University Hall Room 650! And as always, even if you’re only able to come for a short time, you’re more than welcome to attend.  Bring a friend and wear red!