About Membership
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I joined to make sure I had a say in what goes on where I spend most of my time |
Why am I signing a card?
The Graduate Student Employee Union represents all TAs and GAs at SUNY. Because SUNY is a public institution, however, the structure of our union is complicated. In a nutshell: The United States Supreme Court ruled in 2018 that unions representing public employees could no longer automatically enroll those employees as active union members. This decision was a major setback for us, because it means that each GA and TA has to sign up individually to stand in solidarity and give their support to their colleagues, something that requires a lot of time and effort given how many people are newly hired each academic year.
By spreading the word about GSEU and encouraging your colleagues to sign their union cards, you can help accelerate the process of building our strength, showing SUNY that we are increasingly united as we negotiate with them for better wages, better benefits, and more.
By spreading the word about GSEU and encouraging your colleagues to sign their union cards, you can help accelerate the process of building our strength, showing SUNY that we are increasingly united as we negotiate with them for better wages, better benefits, and more.
Why do unions matter?
They extend the principles of democracy to the workplace!
Nationally, union members earn better wages & benefits than workers who aren’t union members. On average, union workers’ wages are 27% higher than their non-union counterparts. More than 79% of union workers have jobs that provide health insurance benefits, while less than half of non-union workers do.
Nationally, union members earn better wages & benefits than workers who aren’t union members. On average, union workers’ wages are 27% higher than their non-union counterparts. More than 79% of union workers have jobs that provide health insurance benefits, while less than half of non-union workers do.
What does GSEU do?
GSEU at Buffalo is just one chapter of larger, state-wide network that is part of CWA Local 1104. We represent all TA/GAs in the SUNY system (that's about 5,500 workers)!
GSEU extends the principles of democracy into the workplace, in that the union allows you to have a say in your work: your pay, your safety, and your responsibilities! Additionally, GSEU negotiates your contract with NY state, where we fight for Workplace Protections, such as: Health & Safety Clauses (especially during COVID-19); Protection from Discrimination; and Legal Representation in Cases of Discipline / Termination.
GSEU also bargains for better material conditions for graduate workers, such as: Health Insurance & Paid Leave; 2% Yearly Raises & Compensation; and Fund Monies (Fee Mitigation Fund, Retention Fund, and Professional Development Fund).
GSEU extends the principles of democracy into the workplace, in that the union allows you to have a say in your work: your pay, your safety, and your responsibilities! Additionally, GSEU negotiates your contract with NY state, where we fight for Workplace Protections, such as: Health & Safety Clauses (especially during COVID-19); Protection from Discrimination; and Legal Representation in Cases of Discipline / Termination.
GSEU also bargains for better material conditions for graduate workers, such as: Health Insurance & Paid Leave; 2% Yearly Raises & Compensation; and Fund Monies (Fee Mitigation Fund, Retention Fund, and Professional Development Fund).
What does it mean to be a union member?
Union dues are 2% of your net pay and are automatically deducted from your paycheck.
Being a union means that you are expressing support for your colleagues & for democracy in the workplace. You can participate in union elections and vote on contract ratification every 3 years! Additionally, you are entitled to free representation in any workplace issue involving discipline / termination.
There are also several fun, non-work related benefits for joining the union! You can attend paid trainings and education events, and receive free drinks at union socials (or win prizes at virtual events).
Remember, the more members we have the stronger our leverage at the bargaining table!
Being a union means that you are expressing support for your colleagues & for democracy in the workplace. You can participate in union elections and vote on contract ratification every 3 years! Additionally, you are entitled to free representation in any workplace issue involving discipline / termination.
There are also several fun, non-work related benefits for joining the union! You can attend paid trainings and education events, and receive free drinks at union socials (or win prizes at virtual events).
Remember, the more members we have the stronger our leverage at the bargaining table!
Okay, sure. But what has the union done for me lately?
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We're glad you asked! Over the past two years, here's what we've won (and if you're interested in more union history, take a look here!):
2019 - 2020 Working alongside the Living Stipend Movement, GSEU members pushed the College of Arts & Sciences to increase the stipend floor to $20K for all TAs & GAs (this was a $5K raise!) Organizing a statewide Reverse Town Hall to address immediate pandemic concerns Petitioning SUNY to fight the Trump administration ICE student ban (and within 24 hours SUNY agreed to join Harvard’s lawsuit!) 2020 - 2021 Winning broad-based fee abolition for all TAs, GAs, and RAs in doctoral programs! Authoring a unanimously passed NYS Senate fee bill (62-0) that would save grad workers <$1K per year Urging NYS Senators to include our Fee Bill was included in the One House budget, which barring COVID-19 would have become law--but we’re not giving up! 2021 - 2022 While we've accomplished a lot over the past 2 years, there are still students who have been left out of the $20K Floor Increase and Broad-based Fee Abolition--and this year we're working to extend those victories to all graduate workers. If you're interested in joining any of our ongoing campaigns, reach out to your department mobilizer, or the campus organizers! |
August 2020: 'I Can't Teach if I'm Dead' Demonstration on South Campus
March 2021: GSEU Bull Takeover
March 2021: GSEU President and Campus Organizers give a socially distant press conference to local news stations
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