-
GEO dues support a wide range of essential services that directly benefit members. These funds go toward compensating union staff who coordinate operations and provide member support; covering legal and mediation services for grievances, contract enforcement, and protection against overwork; and maintaining a physical office space for organizing and administration. Dues also help fund community-building events, member meetings, and strategic campaigns and printing merchandise for raising awareness. The breakdown of the dues are given below (based on 2024 Graduate Minimum Salaries as posted by Illinois Human Resources):
image1 -
Once you become a GEO member by signing a union card, the process is simple—your monthly dues will be automatically deducted from your pre-tax income each time you receive your paycheck, so you won’t have to worry about making separate payments or managing your contributions manually! This system ensures continuous support for the union’s operations and services without adding any extra steps for members.
-
The University takes care of it for you! Once you sign the membership card, the payroll office automatically handles the monthly dues deduction, so there’s no need for you to manage payments yourself. You can simply check the payroll details on your upcoming paychecks to see a breakdown of all deductions, including taxes and union dues.
-
Union dues are the sole source of income for GEO, and they are absolutely essential to keeping the union strong, independent, and member-driven. These dues provide the financial foundation that allows us to operate without relying on external funding or influence, ensuring that GEO remains accountable only to its members. With your support, we can educate new graduate students about their rights, organize effectively, and—most importantly—defend our hard-won contract from violations.
While we are a grassroots, member-led organization, the UIUC Administration has access to millions of dollars to pay for lawyers and consultants. They use their money to pay for staff that bargains against us, as well as high-powered law firms including the same union-busting attorneys hired by corporate giants like Amazon and Starbucks. In the face of such well-funded opposition, it is critical that we build and maintain our own resources to protect our rights and push back against unfair practices.
What sets GEO apart is that we are democratically run. Every member has a voice—not just in shaping our campaigns and priorities, but also in deciding how our dues money is spent. Through regular meetings and transparent voting processes, members collectively determine how to allocate funds to best serve the union’s mission. In this way, paying dues isn’t just a contribution—it’s an investment in a stronger, more equitable future for all graduate employees.
-
Item descriptionIf you change your mind about membership, you have the option to revoke it during a designated opt-out period. Every year, members may withdraw their membership between August 1 and August 31. Outside of this window, your membership and dues deductions will remain active.
-
-
Yes, absolutely—you do! GEO is a democratically run, member-driven union, which means that members have the ultimate say in how dues money is spent. Each year, members elect GEO leadership, who are responsible for drafting a budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. That budget isn’t finalized until membership votes approve it, ensuring transparency and collective decision-making.
As a member, you're encouraged to get involved in every step of the process. You can attend membership meetings, participate in budget discussions, vote on union priorities, and even join or start a committee that focuses on issues you care about. Beyond financial decisions, your membership gives you the power to shape the direction of the union—whether it’s through organizing, bargaining for a fair contract, building community, or fighting to make higher education more accessible and equitable for all. By being active in GEO, you’re not just deciding where the money goes—you’re helping build a stronger future for all graduate workers.