GSRAs and the Right to Representation
The Graduate Employees Organization (GEO) / AFT Local 3550 currently represents Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs) and Graduate Student Staff Assistants (GSSAs). When GEO was originally recognized in 1975, it also represented Graduate Student Research Assistants (GSRAs or RAs). GSRAs were excluded from the GEO bargaining unit by a 1981 legal ruling after the University claimed that all graduate student employees were not technically “employees” under the law and therefore should not have the right to union representation. (The ruling confirmed that GSIs and GSSAs were employees under the law, but found that GSRAs were not.)
The situation, duties, and working conditions of GSRAs have changed profoundly at UM since the late 70s, and the reasons for denying them union representation are no longer valid. GSRAs have union representation rights in many other states.
The University routinely passes on pay increases and other benefits negotiated for GSIs and GSSAs to GSRAs—GEO is already effectively negotiating for GSRAs. GSRAs positions are administered as employment positions through the UM human resources department.
Now GSRAs have the opportunity to change history and join together in their desire to have the right to union representation restored.
updated January 16, 2011
