Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why are we bargaining?
Our wages and working conditions are set by a contract that expired in August 2025. We're demanding a living wage that aligns with grad wages at other R1 universities and recognizes the full-time nature of our work. We are also fighting for program funding guarantees, longer and more secure appointment terms, comprehensive healthcare, academic rights, protections for international workers, and much more.
How long will bargaining last?
We began bargaining in May 2025, and will continue to negotiate until we reach an agreement that UIC grad workers vote to approve.
Why should we be angry with UIC administration?
We are trying our best to negotiate a reasonable and fair agreement with the university. We have spent a lot of time documenting many violations of graduate workers' rights under our contract and Illinois labor law. UIC has leveraged funding cuts to pressure departments to: increase class sizes, reduce FTE percentages, ramp up workloads, change appointments last-minute, force grads out of our programs, and convert assistantship positions to non-union hourly positions. Are these problems happening in your department? Read more about grievances below.
Do we have any chance of winning what we're demanding?
Based on the past experience of this union and the recent campaigns at similar universities, we have a chance to win--but only if we can organize enough workers to recognize and oppose the administration's illegal union-busting tactics and threaten mass disruption. Our most recent contract fights have ended in strikes, though our neighboring union at Northwestern recently won a strong contract without a strike by using a large enough "strike pledge." Because GEO is a democratic union, any strike would involve a vote of the entire membership. Decisions about strike preparations are made in meetings like our Stewards Council and General Membership Meetings.
What would a strike involve?
During a strike, all members of the bargaining unit (~2200) would cease any assistantship work and stage pickets outside of key campus buildings. Pickets draw public attention to the union, and prevent strikebreakers from entering. Graduate strikes generally do not demand graduates stop work needed for their academic progress, though this can be more ambiguous in Research Assistant labs. The important thing is to formulate a plan with your work unit (such as your department, cohort, or lab) to participate in the work stoppage in a meaningful way.
What are the risks of going on strike?
GEO would only pursue a legal strike, registered with the IELRB. Under these conditions, it would be illegal for the university to retaliate by firing, disciplining, or penalizing us in any way. However, it is possible that the university could illegally threaten us collectively by worsening conditions, like they did in Fall 2025 when they unilaterally hiked our healthcare fee. In this case, the union would challenge the retaliation legally and with collective action. When we used both tactics to challenge the CampusCare change, they walked it back. This example also makes it clear that UIC already makes conditions worse for us, whether or not you engage in union activity!
What are my rights?
You can read our current contract here. Although this contract is currently outdated, GEO and the university generally agree to operate under its terms until a new contract is finalized.
What should I do if my rights are being violated?
Contract violations can occur in all shapes and sizes! The first step to take is reviewing our contract to see what parts of it are being violated (the more violations we can identify, the stronger your case will be). Next, if you’re being mistreated, you are likely not alone. Identifying more people who have similar complaints will strengthen the grievance. Bring some coworkers to a stewards meeting to discuss next steps. The next step is gathering all possible information you find relevant to the case and sending it to the grievance chair at grievance@uicgeo.org; this can be in the form of written communication with colleagues or faculty, offer letters that were not upheld, retaliatory measures, etc. Read more about the rest of the grievance process here.
I am being mistreated, but I can’t tell if it’s a contract violation. What should I do?
If the contract language is unclear or you would like assistance with determining if something is a contract violation, please reach out to the Grievance Chair grievance@uicgeo.org for help! Regardless of whether the contract is being violated or not, we want to know what’s going on, and we are ready to organize about it. We have your back. Email SC at steering@uicgeo.org with a brief description of what is going on, and we will reach out to you with next steps.
Can a union representative be present at my meeting with my supervisor/department head/OIS/other UIC administrator?
Yes! If your meeting with a supervisor, department head, or administrator could involve discipline or affect your employment, you have the right to a union representative under Weingarten rights. Just request one in advance by emailing steering@uicgeo.org — we’re here to support you.
At the meeting, your union rep can advise you, ask clarifying questions, and ensure fair treatment. The supervisor cannot silence them or refuse their presence. Having a union rep helps protect your rights and ensures the process is transparent. If you’re unsure whether a meeting qualifies, reach out to us—we’ll help you navigate it. You don’t have to face it alone!
Why should I personally join the union?
By joining the union, you take control of your workplace: deciding together, democratically, what fair wages, benefits, and working conditions should look like. The more grad workers who join, the stronger we are: high membership density in our bargaining unit is the key to winning improvements. A strong union means real power to demand what we deserve. Plus, it’s about solidarity: standing with your peers to create a more equitable university. But the more workers who don't sign up, the less of a shot we have at improving anything. Join to have a voice, to make change, and to be part of a collective that lifts everyone up. We have strength in numbers and power in unity.
Ok, so how do I know if I'm a member or if I'm eligible to join the union?
GEO represents TAs, GAs, and RAs with appointments from 25-67% FTE. While Fellows and graduate hourlies are not officially recognized by the University as part of the unit, you can still sign a card (and join the effort to add Fellows and graduate hourlies to our bargaining unit). If you’re unsure whether you are a member, ask your department steward, or reach out to us at steering@uicgeo.org and we can let you know if we have a membership card on file for you.
I'm an international worker. Is it even legal for me to join the union?
Yes! You’re not alone in this fear. Many of us from countries without strong labor protections initially shared similar concerns. However, all student employees within the US, regardless of their citizenship, visa, or immigration status, have federally-protected rights to engage in activity with their co-workers concerning their working conditions and form a union under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
Can union membership affect my student visa, or future visas?
No! It is your right to belong to a union; union membership cannot affect your current visa or visa application. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) cannot ask you questions about your union membership or participation in lawful union activity, nor can the political speech of other union members be used to penalize you by association. In addition, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recognized the importance of enforcing labor laws and signed an agreement with the Department of Labor (DOL) and other federal labor agencies, including the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)—the agency that enforces the NLRA—to that effect. This agreement, also known as a memorandum of understanding (MOU), is meant to ensure that immigration enforcement does not interfere with the exercising of labor rights.
Is joining the union a time commitment?
No! All it takes is two minutes to sign a card. We understand that you're busy, and not everyone who supports GEO is able to commit time to our cause. Members engage with the union only as much as they want to. The most committed among us, like union leadership, put our fight near the top of their to do list. Other members spend 1 hour per week; some attend 1 important meeting per semester, and others simply sign a card and forget about it.
Why do I need to pay dues?
Dues allow GEO to maintain a strike fund, support our organizing efforts, pay for legal counsel, and cover office space expenses. A strike fund ensures that we can support any members who have wages withheld during a strike, and can support members targeted by this administration. Dues also pay for the costs of holding meetings and training members on how to organize effectively. We have also created a process for requesting union funds to support your organizing efforts in your department. Legal counsel assists us in holding the University to its legal obligations under Illinois law. Dues support all three main strategies for winning pay and protections: legal action, collective action, and direct action.
How are my dues spent?
The vast majority of dues (63%) go to AFT-IFT, our parent union. They provide us access to organizing resources and reimburse us for most legal expenses. 10% of dues money has been approved by the Steering Committee to support organizing trainings, events, actions, and for merch like GEO t-shirts and pins. 3% goes to our office space, which we share with United Faculty. Another 3% covers the cost of legal fees (most of which are covered by our parent union) and organizational maintenance–-things like accounting and insurance. Join the union and attend the next GMM to decide how your dues are spent!
Who sets the amount of dues?
Dues rates are set by members, and are calculated as a percentage of our pay. We work to keep dues as low as possible while maintaining a healthy strike fund and providing money to members to support their organizing efforts. Currently, dues are 2.2% of wages, down from 2.4% in previous years. If the cost of dues is the only thing preventing you from joining the union, reach out to our treasurer at treasurer@uicgeo.org.