We Won the Election 1696-155! Time to Win a Great Contract! Join the Contract Action Team (CAT)!
To win the contract we deserve, we need massive engagement and broad participation in GSU-UE. The primary objective of the Contract Action Team (CAT) is to support the Bargaining Committee by building the organization of all graduate workers on campus. We need to make it clear to the employer that they are communicating with thousands of us when they negotiate with us at the bargaining table.
CAT members are volunteers who are responsible for: keeping co-workers informed about the bargaining process through regular conversations, researching the issues affecting grad workers to develop proposals, planning actions to support the contract fight, and building relationships within and across our departments, campus, and community.
Our Platform
A Living Wage, Always – Increase the stipend floor for all grad workers, and ensure yearly raises are tied to inflation and other cost-of-living metrics.
Expanded Benefits – Guarantee dental and vision coverage. Eliminate out-of-pocket medical expenses. Ensure health insurance covers children and dependents.
Equitable Policies – Professional standards for work hours. Fairness in labs, classrooms, and community. Third party arbitration for Title IX and other grievances.
International Student Support – Financial support for visa and other fees. Access to confidential legal counsel. Equal work opportunities.
Transparency and Democracy – Transparency in the UChicago budget. Real grad power in UChicago decisions, budget, and investments.
This platform was formulated by surveying hundreds of grad workers across the University and was approved by members at one of our regular General Membership Meetings. Read the full platform document here. The current platform for Masters students (still under construction) is here.
Meet GSU-UE!
GSU has always been run by grad workers, for grad workers. See below why grad workers support forming a union! You can find more testimonials here.
Recent Updates from GSU-UE
WE WON! 1696-155
GSU-UE wins Union Election 1696-155 Dear Members, THE RESULTS ARE IN – and we think you’ll like them: We won 1696-155! A 92% margin! This victory belongs to the thousands of workers on this campus who turned out to vote. It was made especially possible by hundreds of organizers who built a campaign led by graduate workers…
Newsletter 2/20: Prepare to Bargain – GMM invite and Bargaining FAQ
Prepare to Bargain! Dear Members, We are eagerly waiting for the ballot count on March 16. Until then, a reminder that mail-in ballots must reach the NLRB office by March 14. The energy and momentum remain high! At the General Members Meeting on Tuesday, February 28, organizers will lay out a timeline to get to…
Newsletter 2/6: We voted for power in our workplace
We voted for power in our workplace! Last week, graduate workers came together to cast our votes and make it clear – we want a contract that secures a living wage, comprehensive health benefits, expanded international student support, and workplace protections here at UChicago! The atmospheres in GCIS, Pick, and Keller were joyous and collaborative…
Newsletter 1/25: 1500 Pledge to Vote Yes!
1500 Pledge to vote YES! Over 1500 graduate workers have committed to Vote Yes for GSU-UE and for winning a Living Wage Always. Each name in the story is a graduate worker with a story of how a union would improve their workplace and research at UChicago. Next week we are preparing for a massive…
Breaking News: Northwestern Votes Union Yes!
Breaking News! Northwestern Votes Union Yes! 1644-114 Northwestern University graduate workers celebrate their election victory UChicago graduate workers will join them by voting yes on January 31st and February 1st! Sign the pledge today! Northwestern University Graduate Workers – United Electrical Workers (NUGW-UE) won their union election today! Their union platform calls for competitive wages…
About GSU-UE
GSU has been working since 2007 to improve the lives of graduate students and gain recognition for the work we do at this university. Together, we’ve won dramatic pay increases, better healthcare, fee cancellation, improved parental leave policies, stipends for childcare, and a freeze in Advanced Residency tuition.
Grad employees perform essential work and are the backbone of the University of Chicago. At some point every undergraduate student is taught by a grad instructor, and grad researchers advance scientific frontiers. As grad employees we deserve a seat at the table when decisions are made that affect our lives, those of our students, and the broader community. GSU represents a strong majority of graduate workers who stand together.
GSU is affiliated with the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE).
UChicago Graduate Students United - United Electrical Workers 
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