Updates from the GEO
***January 2, 2018 -- 140 days since our contract expired on August 15th***
Happy New Year!
Table of Contents:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Spring TA Orientation: Call for Volunteers
Bargaining Update
How to Stay Involved Over Winter Break
Electing a New Communications Officer
EVENTS
Wear It Wednesday
Wednesday Work-In
CONNECT WITH GEO
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Spring TA Orientation: Call for Volunteers
Spring orientation for new TAs will take place on January 10th from 7:45 AM to 4:45 PM and January 11th from 7:45 AM to 1:00 PM at Wohlers Hall. Volunteers are needed to talk to new TAs, get cards signed, and hand out shirts. Even if you can only sign up for an hour, your help will be greatly appreciated! Please sign up with your availability in this sign up sheet.
Bargaining Update
Our next mediation session with the administration is scheduled for January 5th, at the Illinois Fire Services Institute (11 Gerty Dr, Champaign, IL 61820). All members are welcome to attend. A recap of our most recent bargaining session is available on our website.
How to Stay Involved Over Winter Break
We want members to stay involved with their union over winter break! Here are some suggestions for how to do so:
Follow us on social media, and continue to like, share, and reply to posts.
Send us photos of you working over break, and wearing your GEO swag to represent us in different states or countries. We’re using the hashtag #GradHoliday.
Talk to your friends and family about GEO and bargaining. If your family doesn’t know much about unions, or you’re worried that they might be hostile, we’ve put together some suggestions, which you can find attached to this email and on Facebook here. If they want to contact the university to express their concern for you, we suggest that they contact Provost Cangellaris or Heather Horn.
Make an organizing plan for when you’re back in January, so you can hit the ground running! Think about professors or peers to whom you could talk, and how you’ll approach them. Email us if you need help doing so!
If you’re staying in town over break and want to help around the office or have an informal meeting, reach out! Some of us will be here too, and would be happy to meet.
Electing a New Communications Officer
We have an opening for the position of Communications Officer. The Communications Officer leads the GEO Communications Committee. The Communications Committee is in charge of keeping the bargaining unit informed, communicating with the press, and organizing GEO’s representation on social media. This is a great opportunity for anyone who is passionate about GEO’s mission. If you have an interest in being the next Communications Officer, please email the GEO at geo@uigeo.org with your contact information. All GEO members are eligible to put their names forward for the position.
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EVENTS
Wear It Wednesday
Every Wednesday, wear your GEO shirt or pin for “Wear it Wednesday”! Take a photo and post it with the tag #WearItWednesday to share with us on Instagram or Twitter.
Work-in Wednesday
Work-in Wednesdays will not take place over winter break. Keep an eye on our Facebook for when they’ll resume!
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CONNECT WITH GEO!
Website: www.uigeo.org
Twitter: @geo_uiuc
Facebook: @uigeo @geosolcomm
Instagram: @geo_uiuc
Text the word “GEO” to 69238 to receive periodic messages concerning crucial bargaining updates and other urgent information. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to 69238 to stop receiving messages. Text HELP to 69238 for more information. Terms & Conditions.
In Solidarity,
Graduate Employees’ Organization
809 S. 5th St., Geneva Room
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: 217-344-8283
Email: geo@uigeo.org
This is a newsletter for members about our recent news and events. The Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO), IFT/AFT local 6300, AFL-CIO, is a member-run labor union and represents Teaching and Graduate Assistants (TAs and GAs) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.