Donate to GEO's Solidarity Fund to help grads who struck to win our contract!

In March 2023, grad student workers at the University of Michigan went on strike to secure a living wage and better working conditions on campus. Rather than negotiate with us, the university administration retaliated by withholding pay from grads who struck--as much as $2.2 million dollars in stolen wages. Our union, GEO (AFT-Michigan Local 3550), held the line for five months. In August, we won a historic contract, one which will significantly improve living and working conditions for grads.

Grads embarked on the longest strike in GEO history because we are struggling. We have seen the gap between our salaries and the cost of living triple in the last three years. Countless workers endured additional hardship to obtain our collective wins. UM HR refused to distribute back pay to those who struck, instead dispensing approximately $4 million dollars in "signing bonuses" to all Fall 2023 graduate student instructors, graduate student research assistants, and (purportedly) most graduate students on fellowship. It is essential that this money is redistributed to workers who sacrificed a paycheck in our fight for affordability and dignity for all grad workers. If you are receiving a bonus as part of the settlement and did not go on strike in April, you should share some of it with your fellow workers who lost pay.

Bonuses returned to the Solidarity Fund will be evenly distributed to workers who struck in proportion to the pay they lost, with priority to those not receiving a fall bonus. We welcome donations from anyone who appreciates the sacrifices made by striking GSIs, be they GSRAs, campus allies, or GEO supporters from beyond the university.

GEO Back Pay Solidarity

By GEO 3550

GEO Back Pay Solidarity

Redistributing Back Pay to Grads Who Struck