About Membership
Living Stipend Movement Demonstration Outside the President's Office
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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.
December 2021: Lining up for a Petition Drop at the President's Office
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 5,000 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). 
Living Stipend Movement Banner
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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 15% 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. 
December 2021: Occupying the President's Office
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! |
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 - 2021 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!) Winning broad-based fee abolition for all TAs, GAs, and RAs in doctoral programs! $22K in 22 Campaign From October 2021 through December 2022, GSEU ran a $22K in 22 campaign, advocating for a universal, no-loophole, $22K stipend floor and total fee elimination for all graduate workers, regardless of program or degree, by the end of 2022. Kicking off the campaign in October 2021, GSEU's President read a statement at the SUNY Board of Trustees Meeting about poverty wages and poor working conditions, immediately followed by GSEU collecting over 700 signatures on a petition petition asking that President Tripathi ensure $22K stipends for all and fees for none. In December 2021 the petition was delivered to the President's Office, but he refused to accept the petition in-person and unequivocally refused to meet with GSEU leadership to discuss poverty wages. Graduate workers continued to organize throughout 2022 and on December 5, 2023, graduate workers interrupted a UB Council meeting where GSEU's President delivered a number of remarks reiterating the need for a $22K universal stipend floor. And just 2 days later, UB announces that PhD gradaute worker stipends would be raised to $23K for Fall 2023! 
December 2021: GSEU's President Delivers the $22K in 22 Petition with over 700 Signatures to the President's Office
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August 2020: 'I Can't Teach if I'm Dead' Demonstration on South Campus
March 2021: GSEU Bull Takeover
March 2021: GSEU's President and Campus Organizers give a socially distant press conference to local news stations
2023 - 2024
After 4 years of coordinating legislative efforts, GSEU's 'Fee Bill' was finally passed in May 2023, meaning that state funding will be allocated to the University at Buffalo to cover ALL graduate fees for ALL GSEU workers! BUT THERE'S MORE TO DO! While many College of Arts and Sciences graduate workers saw a stipend increase to $20,000 in 2019 and many graduate workers university-wide saw the abolition of their broad-based fees in 2021, there are still many graduate workers who are making less than $15,000 per year AND still paying fees: this is a yearly income of less than $12,000. GSEU finds this to be utterly unacceptable. Intentionally leaving gaps for graduate workers to fall in to creates further levels of income inequality; it also speaks volumes to the fact that the University at Buffalo simply does not value the work that our MFA and non-academic unit colleagues do. This Fall, we'll begin contract bargaining. If you're interested in joining any of our ongoing campaigns, reach out to your department mobilizer, or the campus organizers! |