GEO has won raises to the minimum wage, upcoming GMM, CLC Town Hall, new caususes, and more!
Table of Contents:
Announcements
GEO Wage Bargaining Agreement!
Our Wage Bargaining reopener agreement with Admin has PASSED a membership vote with 95% of members voting to ratify! Effective from the beginning of academic year 2020-21, the minimum salary for a worker in our bargaining unit will be increased 4% from last year's amount. If you do not see this raise on your pay statement for September, we are working with Admin and payroll to make sure you are compensated accordingly for the month of October, including backpay!
Formation of a GEO Black Caucus
Image description: On a decorative background of red, black and green, with the GEO logo in blue and yellow at the top center of the graphic. In white type underneath the GEO logo: "CALLING ALL BLACK GEO MEMBERS!". Underneath this, in bold yellow type: "BUILDING A BLACK CAUCUS". Underneath that, in white type: "What issues that affect Black grad employees do you want to organize about? What resources can we envision and build for Black grads? Contact officer3@uigeo.org for more information".
Are you a Black graduate worker who has been looking for a place to organize about issues and resources that affect Black graduate workers on campus? Join the GEO Black Caucus! Bring your ideas, your visions, and your friends! The next meeting is Friday, September 18 from 4:30-5:30 PM CT. Contact officer3@uigeo.org for meeting details!
Defund UIPD Working Group
Join the Defund UIPD working group! This group is dedicated to ongoing organizing efforts to demand that the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign sever all ties with local police and all harmful policing institutions. Contact defunduipd@uigeo.org for more information.
Image description: Flyer with a black, blue, and salmon colored megaphone against a blue and white background. On the first flyer, the text “Defund the UIPD*” appears in bold white text along with “*Disarm and disband the UIPD too” (also in bold white text). Further below, the flyer reads “Read our demands to divest from the University of Illinois Police department. A QR code appears below this text, and the bottom of the flyer reads “Want to get involved? E-mail defunduipd@uigeo.org”
Cross-Campus Mutual Aid Solidarity Fund
As part of our efforts to support all workers across campus, GEO's Mutual Aid Working Group has established a Cross-Campus Mutual Aid Solidarity Fund. Any campus worker, regardless of union affiliation, can request support from this fund for any financial need. Check out our website for more information and instructions on how to request funds or donate to support other workers! And if you’d like to get involved with the Mutual Aid Working Group—which coordinates solidarity fund efforts, mask distribution, and other related efforts—please contact geo@uigeo.org for more information.
Image description: Black text on a grey banner reads: “GEO Cross-Campus Mutual Aid Solidarity fund”. Below that in smaller text: “All campus workers eligible—up to $100—donate today to support our community”. Below that, text reads “Donate—Apply” with the URL for the donation page (“https://tinyurl.com/GEOMutualAid”). Below the text and to the left is the QR code; to the right is the GEO logo. At the bottom of the flyer is an image of two hands holding a mask on which is written “GEO Mutual Aid”.
Events
September General Membership Meeting
Image description: Over a decorative brown background, a white bubble appears in the middle with brown and black type that reads: "Join the GEO for a virtual General Membership Meeting. September 16, 2020. 6:30 to 7:30pm. Vote on GEO's annual budget!" At the bottom of the flyer, three people with different skin colors and colorful clothing engage in various activities, including holding a GEO sign and holding a loudspeaker. The GEO logo appears in the bottom right corner. There is a QR code and the type, Google Hangouts, in the top right corner. Brown fall flowers decorate the flyer.
Join us Wednesday 9/16/20 at 6:30 pm CT for this week's GMM! We'll discuss and vote on the 2020-2021 GEO operating budget, as well as hear updates about (GEO) Local 3550's safety strike at the University of Michigan.
Check out the Facebook event for more information and join the meeting here.
GEO Mutual Aid Mask Distribution
If you’re going to UIUC campus to get tested, you can drop by and get a free GEO mask made with love by volunteers via our GEO mutual aid effort! We are tabling weekly at COVID-19 testing sites. We will be at the Illini Grove on Thursday, September 16 at 2-3pm CT, but check our social media accounts to see where we’ll hand out masks next!
Image description: two photos show GEO members sitting at a table in a wooded area. There are GEO masks, stickers, and flyers on the table.
GEO Disability Caucus Meeting
Are you a graduate worker with a disability? Are you interested in organizing around our needs? Join the conversation this Friday, September 18, at 10am Central Time. Email aacker02@gmail.com for the meeting link, accommodations requests, or more information in general.
Image description: Over a light pink background, a large purple headline reads: GEO Disability Caucus Meeting. Below, bold black type reads: Friday, September 18, 10am (Central Time). Below, smaller black type reads: Are you a graduate worker with a disability? Are you interested in organizing around our needs? Email aacker02@gmail.com for the meeting link and for any accommodations requests! In the bottom left corner, a female figure with light skin, blue hair, and red pants and shoes sits in a wheelchair. In the bottom right corner, a female figure with purple hair and light skin wears a mask and holds a sign that reads: GEO. The GEO logo appears in the top right corner.
Campus Labor Coalition COVID-19 Town Hall
Join UIUC workers for a virtual Campus Labor Coalition COVID-19 Town Hall on Tuesday September 22nd at 2:30 pm CT. This town hall will be a chance for UIUC workers, students, and the C-U community to share your experiences and health and safety concerns with UIUC’s COVID-19 response! UIUC administration has been invited to attend the town hall to listen and respond to your concerns.
Image description: Images of logos from the following unions from left to right: AFSCME (American Federation of State County Municipal Employees) Local 698, Undergraduate-Graduate Alliance, GEO (Graduate Employees’ Organization), SEIU Local 73, AFSCME Local 3700, AAP (Association of UIUC Academic Professionals), CFA (Campus Faculty Association), and NTFC (Non-Tenure Faculty Coalition). Below is text “UIUC Virtual COVID-19 TownHall September 22nd @ 2:30 PM CT. This town hall will be a chance for UIUC workers, students, and the C-U community to share your experiences and health and safety concerns with UIUC’s COVID-19 response! UIUC administration has been invited to attend the town hall to listen and respond to your concerns.” At the bottom there is a laptop with a QR code and “RSVP here to attend: http://bit.ly/CLCTownHallRSVP” on an orange and blue background.
Other
Census 2020 Reminder
Make sure to fill out the 2020 Census!
Why is the Census important?
The Census provides important data that the federal government uses to allocate resources to our community and distribute funds for social services and education. The count also establishes the number of federal representatives for each state. Anticipating an under-count, the state of Illinois is projected to lose millions of dollars in federal funding and two seats in the House of Representatives, which means fewer voices to advocate for us in Washington.
Who counts in the Census?
EVERYONE! Anyone residing in Urbana-Champaign the majority of the year, including international students, non-citizens, out-of-state students; we all count!
What if I left campus due to COVID?
College students should fill out the form using their student addresses. Think of the place where you would have been living if classes had not been moved online due to COVID. Even if your parents already counted you in their Census form, fill it out again with your roommates for your April 1st campus address. The Census Bureau will check to ensure you are not counted in both places.
Image description: White words on red background read “Why Completing the 202 Census is important” followed by three sections on black background. One section says “Distributes Funding” with red dollar bills followed by white text that reads “Results from the Census are used by the federal government to determine how much funding state governments and local communities will receive over the next ten years. By responding to the Census, you are helping your community receive funding for vital services such as mental health services, Medicaid, Head Start, SNAP, and more.” The section below says “Apportionment” and an image of a red building followed by “Population size data from the 2020 Census will be used to apportion seats in the House of Representatives. There are 435 seats available, so the higher a population count for a state is, the more seats, and therefore representation in the government your state will get. The last section says “Planning” with an image of red documents and a magnifying glass followed by “State governments and non-profit organizations use data from the 202 Census to determine where new schools, hospitals, roads, and other public infrastructure projects are needed. By completing the Census, you are helping your community receive the public services it requires. The last line of white text says “What are you waiting for? Complete the 2020 Census today.”
Voter Registration & Mail-In Ballot Reminder
Remember to register to vote and request your mail-in ballot to safely participate in the upcoming election!
Check Your Paycheck
The 16th is payday! If you’re a TA/GA, take a look at your paycheck to confirm you’re paying 2% dues and if you’re a RA/PGA, you should have $8 dues. Something not adding up right? Send us an email at geo@uigeo.org!
COVID-19 Reminder
The GEO recommends taking all available precautions to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and the risk to members of our community. Wear a mask. Tell others to wear their masks. Socially distance. Only go out for essential activities.
Free Flu Shots
Free flu shots are now available for UIUC students and employees—see more info on how to get your flu vaccine!
In Solidarity,
Graduate Employees’ Organization
809 S. 5th St., Geneva Room
Champaign, IL 61820
Email: geo@uigeo.org