DL2 Media

Affiliations: AFT-Michigan | AFT | AFL-CIO | AGEL | CGEU | COCAL | Michigan Pride at Work

DL2 Media

GEO’s History of Activism

YEAR ORGANIZING BARGAINING
1975 Month-long strike
  • First health benefits
  • Non-discrimination clause
  • 8% raise
1976 GEO suffers from dissension and low support.
  • GEO agrees to the administration’s proposals, but the administration refuses to sign until GEO drops its grievances.
  • GEO files Unfair Labor Practice and the administration challenges GEO’s right to bargain as employees.
  • Contract is finally signed five years later.
1983 GEO shifts to a “grassroots” steward structure, as many conversations with members occur because dues must be collected by hand each semester.
  • First dental benefits
  • First tuition waiver
  • TA training
  • 10% raise over two years
1985 For the first time in GEO’s history, bargaining is congenial.
  • 50% tuition waiver
  • Affirmative action clause
  • 5% raise
1986 After eight months of bargaining and continued stalling by the administration, GEO rallies at Fleming Building.
  • 66% tuition waiver
  • 5% raise
1987 Rallies of 200, 350

Membership authorizes strike.
  • Full tuition waiver
1989 Suffering from low turnout at meetings and rallies, GEO concedes to the administration’s proposed wage increase, in exchange for dropping proposals on the 10-term rule and class size.
  • 14.5% raise over two years (9%, 5.5%)
1991 Rallies of 100, 175, 200

One-day and three-day work stoppages

200 on the picket line
  • Partial waivers for low fractions
  • Waiver of fees, except for registration
  • 5% raise over two years (4%, 1%)
1993 Membership authorizes strike after health benefits are threatened.
  • Health benefits maintained
  • Fee cap maintained at current level
  • 9% raise over three years (3%, 3%, 3%)
1996 Rallies of 250, 300

Grade action and grade-in

Two-day walkout
  • Title change
  • Joint Committees
  • Written hiring policies
  • Stipend for IGSI training
  • Same raise as LSA faculty (3.1%, 4%, 4.6%)
1999 Rallies

Huge Membership meetings, subsequently authorizing a strike.
  • 25% raise for ~600 GSIs
  • Guaranteed pay, housing and health care of IGSI training
  • 30 day notice of significant health care changes
2002 Rallies

We think the largest Membership meeting in GEO history, subsequently authorizing a strike.
  • Child care improvements
  • Workplace harassment language
  • Pay equity for grad librarians