GMM on Thursday + Housekeeping
Table of Contents:
ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS
Next GMM(s) on February 28th
Late Appointment Letter? File for Compensation!
RA/PGA Dues Questionnaire
GEO Basketball Team
Volunteer Hours + Coffee with Co-Presidents
JOIN A GEO COMMITTEE!
CONNECT WITH GEO!
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ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS
Next General Membership Meetings on February 28th at 12:00 pm and 6:30 pm
Join us for our 2nd General Membership Meetings of the Spring 2019 semester on Thursday, February 28th! This GMM, we will hear from members of the previous bargaining research team about their experiences and the kinds of work they did as they prepared for bargaining our contract. If you are interested in joining the bargaining research team for our wage reopener, make sure to come to this GMM! In addition, we will hear progress reports from our RA/PGA working group regarding legislation that would label RAs and PGAs as employees and thus eligible for union representation. Click here for the Facebook event!
We will be having two GMMs during the day:
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Serving: Bagels and Coffee
Childcare: provided
Doors open: 11:45 AM
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Serving: Little Caesars Pizza
Childcare: provided
Doors open: 6:15 PM.
Both GMMs will be at the Channing Murray Foundation (1209 W Oregon St, Urbana).
Late Appointment Letter? File for Compensation!
If you received your appointment letter less than 30 days before the start date of the appointment, then you are entitled to $50 in compensation thanks to our new contract. Fill out this form here to start the process towards getting it.
RA/PGA Dues Questionnaire
Now that RA/PGA unionization could be on the horizon (see here for more information), more work is being done to lay the groundwork for potential unionization here at U of I. Because of this, we are considering changing the dues for those who are not TAs and GAs (currently $3/month). Please let us know your thoughts on the changes that may arise due to this new legislation by filling out this form.
Play basketball with GEO!
Our union fights for benefits, a living wage, and fair treatment for graduate employees. But GEO also fights for offensive rebounds, post positioning, and open jump shots.
Recently, 11 GEO members, across 7 departments and 3 colleges, formed an intramural men's basketball team. These grad employees and GEO members are representing our union on the court.
Where?:
ARC Gym 1 (i.e., the large street-level gym on the ARC's far east side):
When?:
The following Tuesdays at 7PM
1) February 26
2) March 5
3) Maybe more (if we make the playoffs?)
Come out to support them if you can! And if you’re interested in forming a women’s or all-gender team for future seasons, be sure to let GEO know via email or social media!
If you’re interested in more information about our basketball team or one of our many working groups (bargaining research, RA/PGA unionization), or becoming an officer, sign up to receive more information on whatever you’re interested in here.
Volunteer Hours + Coffee with Co-Presidents
Want to help your union but are not sure how? We have plenty of things around the office that we could use your help with! Come in any Monday between 11am and 1pm. This is a great, low-stakes way to lend a hand. See our Facebook event for Volunteer Hours here.
Because we are a member-run, member-focused union, GEO leadership want to be as available to you as possible. Co-presidents Bruce and Hilary will be in the office every Monday at 1pm; feel free to come by and grab a cup of coffee or tea, ask questions, or just have a chat! See the Facebook event for Coffee with Co-Presidents here.
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JOIN A GEO COMMITEE!
We are a member-run union; we depend on the commitment of our members to stay as strong as possible. You can find details about what each committee does and how to contact them on our website. No special knowledge is required. You can also follow the calendar of events on our website for the date and time of upcoming meetings: http://uiucgeo.org/events/. Meetings are open to membership, and coming to a meeting does not commit you to joining a committee.
Upcoming meetings:
Constitutional Committee (cc@uigeo.org) - Contact email for more information
Healthcare Working Group (health@uigeo.org) - Contact email for more information
Stewards’ Council (sc@uigeo.org) - Tuesday March 5th, 5:30-7:00 pm
Finance Committee (treasurer@uigeo.org) - Contact email for more information
Solidarity Committee (solcomm@uigeo.org) - Wednesday March 6th, 5:30-7:00 pm
Grievance Committee (grievance@uigeo.org) - Wednesday March 6th, 4:00-5:00 pm
Communications Committee (commcomm@uigeo.org) - Monday March 11, 5:00-6:30 pm
Coordinating Committee (cc@uigeo.org) - Tuesday February 26th at 4pm
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CONNECT WITH GEO!
Have comments about the GMM? Other kinds of feedback for us? We want to hear it! Reply to this email or use our anonymous google form. You can also get in touch through our website and social media:
Website: www.uiucgeo.org
Twitter: @geo_uiuc
Facebook: @uigeo @geosolcomm
Instagram: @geo_uiuc
In Solidarity,
Graduate Employees’ Organization
809 S. 5th St., Geneva Room
Champaign, IL 61820
Email: geo@uigeo.org