GEO negotiates and enforces contracts with UIC establishing wages, working conditions, and benefits for graduate workers. The current contract as well as our previous contracts can be read here. Please contact bargaining@uicgeo.org with questions or concerns.
Note that the tables listing the improvements in working conditions represented by each contract are not and are not intended to be complete. They merely provide highlights.
Changes in FTE must be communicated to the bargaining unit member in writing
§III.C
pg. 3
International graduate workers have $80 of the International Student Fee waived
§III.I
pg. 6
The University is responsible for new trainings (including biosafety, ethics, et cetera) as appropriate to the appointment
§VI.A
pg. 11
If a bargaining unit member does not believe their assigned evaluator will be able to fairly evaluate them based solely on their employment, they may request a replacement of the evaluator from the department
§VII.C
pg. 13
Graduate workers should not be expected to work more than eight hours in a day or after 10:00pm
§VIII.A
pg. 14
50% FTE 9-month graduate workers are to be paid stipends of at least: $25,652 in Y1, campus wage increases in Y2-Y4
§XII.A
pg. 18-19
The University shall pay for all equipment necessary for work duties
§XIV.B
pg. 21
Graduate workers who work more than forty-one days in the Summer are entitled to one paid sick day
§XV.B
pg. 22
Funeral/Bereavement leave may be taken in blocks rather than all at once
If the TA evaluation process involves classroom observations by a supervising staff or faculty member, then the TA shall be notified of such visits at least one week in advance
§VII.B
pg. 10
50% FTE 9-month graduate workers are to be paid stipends of at least: $18,880 in Y1, $19,730 in Y2, $20,615 in Y3
§XII.A
pg. 15
Waiver of the Health Service Fee
§XIII.B
pg. 16
The University shall pay 20% of the cost of coverage for a graduate worker’s first dependent (spouse and/or child) who chooses to be covered under the University plan and 10% of the cost for additional dependents
§XIII.C
pg. 16
Graduate workers are eligible for 13 paid work-days of sick leave at the percentage of their appointment for each appointment year
Note: During this period, the University sought to implement a five year wage freeze and to retract guaranteed tuition waivers for graduate workers, a condition won in the 2009-2012 contract. The union won a wage increase and retained guaranteed tuition waivers.
Improvement
Article
Page
50% FTE 9-month graduate workers are to be paid stipends of at least: $16,765 in Y1, $17,465 in Y2, $18,065 or general campus wage increase if higher in Y3
§XII.A
pg. 13
Beginning in Fall 2015, the University contribution to the healthcare plan is to be raised from $150 or 35%/graduate worker covered, whichever is higher, to $250 or 40% in Fall 2016; $275 or 40% in Fall 2017
§XIII.C
pg. 14
Graduate workers are entitled to take one unpaid personal day per semester
50% FTE 9-month graduate workers are to be paid stipends of at least: $15,065 in Y1, $14,565 in Y2, $16,065 or general campus wage increase if higher in Y3
§XII.A
pg. 13
Beginning in Fall 2013, the University contribution to the healthcare plan is to be raised from $125/graduate worker covered per academic year to $150 or 35%/graduate worker covered, whichever is higher; $175 or 35% beginning in Fall 2014
Graduate workers shall have the following fees waived: Service Fee, Health Service Fee, Academic Facilities and Maintenance Assessment, Library and Information Technology Assessment
§III.I.B
pg. 4
Graduate workers are entitled to enroll dependent children in University childcare services at a cost determined by an income-based sliding scale
§X.I
pg. 11
50% FTE 9-month graduate workers are to be paid stipends of at least: $14,000 in Y1, $14,280 in Y2, $14,565 in Y3
§XII.A
pg. 12
Graduate Assistants who are required to live in campus housing shall not have Board (i.e., UIC “Dragon Dollars”) credited to them as pay or considered in the determination of their stipend
§XII.B
pg. 12
Beginning in Fall 2010, the University contribution to the healthcare plan is to be raised from $100/graduate worker covered per academic year to $125/graduate worker covered
§XIII.C
pg. 13
At the discretion of their respective departments, graduate workers may receive paid leave to attend professional conferences
