Officers
PRESIDENT: Kiara Vigil, American Studies
VICE PRESIDENT: Ian Flora, Philosophy
SECRETARY: Rob Gillezeau, Economics
TREASURER: Denise Bailey, Sociology

Committee Chairs
ORGANIZING: Alex Reusing, Anthropology; Melissa Sanders, Psychology
GRIEVANCE: Patrick Parker, History
COMMUNICATIONS: Katie Will, English
SOLIDARITY/POLITICAL ACTION: Shana Greenstein, Urban Planning

Congratulations to all of our new leadership!

GEO OFFICER CANDIDATE STATEMENTS 2008.pdf
The nominees are:
PRESIDENT: Kiara Vigil
VICE PRESIDENT: Ian Flora, Melissa Sanders
TREASURER: Denise Bailey
SECRETARY: Open
COMM CHAIR: Katie Will
OC CHAIR: Melissa Sanders, Alex Reusing
GRRR CHAIR: Patrick Parker
S/PAC CHAIR: Shana Greenstein, Patrick Parker

Remember, the ELECTIONS MEETING is open to all GEO Members. It will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, at the GEO office beginning at 7pm.

The GEO Office is located at 330 E. Liberty St, Suite 3F.

Article IV – Anti-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Employment
Addressed issue of academic bullying by adding language extending definition of harassment to include “repeated verbal abuse, threats, or intimidation that significantly interferes with the Employee’s ability to perform his or her job duties.” Introduced language concerning accommodations for Employees with disabilities. Signed a related Memorandum of Understanding directing the Equity and Access GSSA to work on projects related to improving accommodations for Employees with disabilities.

Article V – Union Dues and Representation-service Fees
Arranged to have Academic HR send an email to all newly hired employees informing them of their obligation to fill out a union dues/representation-service fee card. Clarified language on the card itself.

Article VI – Union Rights
Increased by 10 minutes the amount of time available to the GEO at trainings and orientations. Eliminated provisions which had allowed GEO to ask Academic HR to send mass emails on our behalf.

Article VII – Information
Clarified dates on which reports will be sent from the university, and method by which GEO may request other information. Eliminated clauses which had allowed GEO to ask UM to print mailing labels for cost.

Article IX – Posting, Initial Employment, and Re-employment
Established an email notification list for distribution of job postings to interested Employees

Article X – Salaries
Raised the Full Time Equivalent salary by 6.2% in 2008-09, 3.5% in 2009-10, and 3.5% in 2010-11. Established wage parity for low fractions. Raised the hourly rate for employees covering for absent co-workers so that it will be at parity with the hourly rate paid to .50 employees.

Article XI – Benefits
Extended zero premium health care to all employees, their partners, and their children. Signed Memoranda of Understanding clarifying OQA criteria and either extending cap on mental health visits from 25 to 30 or providing a pool of money to pay for visits by those who hit the cap.

Article XII – Child Care
Increased, in each year of the Contract, the amount of the child care subsidy for each child by $100 + the average annual increase in tuition at UM child care centers. Specific language added to the article making clear that Employees whose unique circumstances could impact nominal eligibility for the child care subsidy may apply directly to the Office of Financial Aid for a waiver. Provided for GEO representation on the Childcare Initiative Steering Committee.

Article XIII – Medical Leave, Parental Accommodation Period, Jury or Witness Service, Immigration Proceedings, and Bereavement Leave Pay
Established Parental Accommodation Period of six weeks with pay for birth mothers and three weeks with pay for other parents. Other parents may also take three weeks of unpaid leave, and any parent may choose not to return to job duties after the birth or adoption of a child while retaining benefits for the remainder of the term.

Article XVI – Grievance and Arbitration Procedures
Clarified and made consistent language relating to the first three steps of the procedure. Introduced a new system for selecting an arbitration panel.

Article XVII – Special Conferences
Updated language to make consistent with current practice, in particular empowering UM and GEO to reach enforceable written agreements during the term of the Contract. Reworked job description of Equity and Access GSSA to be project based.

Article XXII – Tuition Waiver
Extended full tuition waiver to all employees working 7.5 hours per week or more.

Article XXIII – Employee Rights
Clarified language relating to employee rights to work resources.

Article XXVI – Law Savings Clause
Updated to include reference to Other Qualified Adults.

Article XXVII – Term of the Agreement
Updated to reflect that the new Contract will run through March 1,

Officer Descriptions

The President shall:
1. Be the principal executive officer of the Organization;
2. Be one of the responsible financial officers of the Organization and shall be authorized to co-sign financial instruments and make regular and usual disbursement of funds;
3. Be responsible for signing all official documents of the Organization. This responsibility may be designated to a deputy with the approval of the Stewards Council;
4. Be, by office, the ranking delegate to the convention of the American Federation of Teachers and meetings or conventions of its affiliated subordinate bodies;
5. Represent the Organization as necessary to other organizations.

The Treasurer shall:
1. Be the principal financial officer of the Organization;
2. Receive, record and deposit all dues monies and other income in the name of the Organization;
3. Maintain accurate membership records;
4. Be authorized to co-sign financial instruments and make regular and usual disbursements of funds;
5. Shall arrange for an independent audit as required by law or the organizations with which the Organization is affiliated;
6. Transmit per capita payments as required to the American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers-Michigan and to all other bodies with which the organization is affiliated;
7. Chair the Finance Committee;
8. Perform financial duties as required by law or the organizations with which the Organization is affiliated.

The Secretary shall:
1. Be the principal information officer of the organization;
2. Maintain the non-financial files and records of the Organization;
3. Be responsible for recording and keeping accurate minutes of meetings of the membership, Stewards’ Council and Officers’ Committee;
4. Oversee all elections and referenda of the Organization, record and report all votes.

The Vice-President shall:
1. Work with the President to oversee the operations of the Organization;
2. Assume the responsibilities of President if that person becomes unable to perform those duties;
3. Supervise the non-financial responsibilities of the staff;
4. Chair the Stewards’ Council.

Committee Chairs

Communications: Works to produce GEO’s communications materials, including but not limited to union newsletters, publicity materials, and web content.

Grievance: Works to resolve employee grievances through the grievance process outlined in GEO’s contract, organizes around contract issues, implements terms of the contract, and educates members of the university about the contract.

Organizing: Works to build GEO’s strength by recruiting new activists, helping to organize departments through steward elections and department meetings, turning members out to meetings and other events, and addressing the ongoing organizing needs of the union.

Solidarity and Political Action: Works to build coalitions, strengthen solidarity with other unions and labor organizations, and educate and advocate around political issues that are of interest to our members.