Bargaining Session #4 - Summary
Despite the summer heat, we PACKED the room for the fourth time! 102 GEO members showed up to the Bargaining Session on May 18, 2026.
What happened at the session?
GEO brought a package proposal on 10 non-economic articles in the spirit of moving toward an agreement. The package mostly included updates to ensure accurate language, such as including Research Assistants (RAs) and replacing the phrase "the University" with "the Employer." The University's BT accepted our package, which led to our first tentative agreement.
Nevertheless, we still have important non-economic articles and economic articles to negotiate!
After the University provided a lacking non-economic proposal at BS #3, GEO has several remaining questions.
GEO’s BT asked Admin about pressing issues:
Protections for international workers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Summer funding for grad workers who exist year-round and are often expected to be on campus over the summer
Hours of work and overwork, especially protections for grad workers whose RA duties closely resemble their academic duties
Health and safety in the workplace
The university's BT refused to engage substantively with our proposals regarding these articles, and suggested that they would only discuss them after GEO brought revised language, or that they were simply unacceptable.
When will the university provide a full proposal?
GEO’s BT asked for a clear timeline on when we could expect an economic proposal from the University, but Admin would not commit to providing such a proposal before our current contract expires (on August 15, 2026). GEO’s BT urged the administration to complete this process as soon as possible; as lead negotiator Grace Garmire said, “We understand this is your job, but this is our livelihood.”
Two GEO members shared impactful testimonials
An international grad worker from Math spoke in favor of GEO’s proposed protections for international students. “International workers are increasingly faced with insecurity in this country because of the threat of ICE and visa cancellations. This has resulted in a vast majority of international workers feeling unsafe, afraid of what any old political posts on social media or a parking ticket could cause to our immigration status. Although I appreciate all the university's policies, clear language and protections in this contract are necessary and give us the most assurance that such protections will be met. Language in our contract is binding, whereas university policy is not.”
Another grad worker from Communication detailed their experience selling plasma to make ends meet, illustrating how important fee waivers, an adequate wage, and a way to pay rent over the summer are for them. “For nearly five months, I continued donating plasma twice a week just to stay afloat. If you have never donated plasma, it is difficult to understand how much it takes out of you. Between waiting in line for hours, going through the process, and recovering afterwards, it consumed most of two days every week. Afterward, I often felt lightheaded, exhausted, and unable to function at my best. I found myself asking: How am I supposed to teach effectively, conduct high-quality research, and succeed in graduate school when one quarter of my week is spent recovering from a financial survival strategy?”
Bargaining Session #5 is just around the corner
The next session is scheduled for Thursday, July 9th, 9 AM - NOON at the University YMCA, Latzer Hall.
At the next session, GEO’s BT will continue negotiating for a fair contract that ensures respect, dignity, protections, and financial well-being for grad workers. We will continue to demonstrate the real-world experiences behind our proposals by sharing additional testimonials from GEO members.
Over 100 graduate workers showed up to BS #4, and Slack #caucus chat popped off AGAIN this session! 🎉Let’s keep up the energy!
Attend BS #5 to show Admin that we’re ready for a fair economic proposal now, not later!
If you want to share your story by providing a testimonial, email barg+testimonial@uigeo.org. Email GEO@uigeo.org to join the GEO Slack.
