GEO Affiliations
GEO is affiliated with several labor organizations on the local, state, and national level. We are especially committed to the promotion of of new and continuing organizing efforts of graduate employees at other universities and colleges.
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
The American Federation of Teachers was founded in 1916 to represent the economic, social, and professional interests of classroom teachers. Today, the AFT has grown to 1.3 million members, including more than 18,000 graduate employees.
AFT-Michigan is our state federation, representing educators and support staff throughout the state. The state federation provides GEO and other locals with legal counsel, collective bargaining assistance, and a lobbying voice in Michigan politics. In addition to GEO, AFT-Michigan represents graduate employees at Michigan State, Wayne State, and Western Michigan University. Here at U of M, the Lecturers’ Employees Organization (LEO) is also affiliated with AFT-Michigan.
The American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)
The AFL-CIO is an association of 53 labor unions representing nine million American workers. Nationally, the AFL-CIO furthers the interests of working people by amplifying their voices in the political process. Locally, the AFL-CIO promotes coordination among unions through bodies like the Huron Valley Central Labor Council (HVCLC).
All Campus Labor Council (ACLC)
The All Campus Labor Council is the association of union locals which represent employees at the University of Michigan. In addition to GEO and LEO, other unions sitting on the ACLC include AFSCME local 1583 and the University of Michigan Nurses Union.
Huron Valley Central Labor Council (HVCLC)
The Huron Valley Central Labor Council is the association of AFL-CIO union locals in Livingston and Washtenaw Counties. The HVCLC holds monthly meetings to facilitate cooperation and coordination between area unions.
Alliance of Graduate Employee Locals (AGEL)
The Alliance of Graduate Employee Locals includes all of the graduate employee locals in the American Federation of Teachers and participating non-affiliated organizations dedicated to unionizing graduate employees. In 1995, this alliance formed with the mission of advancing the rights and unionization efforts of graduate employees at colleges and universities nationwide.
Coalition of Graduate Employee Locals (CGEU)
The Coalition of Graduate Employee Locals is an association of graduate employee unions from throughout the United States and Canada. In addition to AFT grad unions, CGEU also includes grad unions affiliated with UAW, UNITE HERE, CWA, CUPE and others.
Michigan Alliance of Graduate Employee Locals (MAGEL)
The Michigan Alliance of Graduate Employee Locals includes all four graduate employee unions in Michigan. In addition to GEO, this includes GEOC at Wayne State, GEU at Michigan State, and TAU at Western Michigan University.
Lecturers’ Employees Organization (LEO)
The Lecturers’ Employees Organization was formed in 2002-2003 to promote the work-place interests and well-being of non tenure-track faculty at the University of Michigan. The local represents approximately 1200 lecturers on the university’s three campuses. LEO members ratified their first collective bargaining agreement in June 2004.
Students Organizing for Labor and Economice Equality (SOLE)
SOLE is a student organization which advocates for social and labor justice through direct action, education, and nationally coordinated campaigns. SOLE is affiliated with United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS).
Michigan Organization of Students (MOS)
The Michigan Organization of Students is a group that seeks to make our univeristy education more accessible, affordable, diverse, and democratic. Contact mos@umich.edu for more information.