GEO members: Happy new year and welcome back to school! We look forward to another semester of fighting for graduate student rights and building community.
Upcoming Events
Monday, January 31
Steward’s Assembly – 4:30 pm, Campus Center 168.
Sunday, February 6
UAW 2322 Skating Party – 1-3 pm, Mullins Center. UAW Local 2322‘s annual skating party is free for members and their families.
Tuesday, February 8
GEO Membership Meeting – 5pm, Campus Center room TBA. Join us for the first membership meeting of the semester. Dinner will be provided.
Tuesday, February 15
Steward’s Training – 4 pm, UAW Local 2322 Office, 4 Open Square Way #406, Holyoke, MA 01040. This training is open to all members who want to learn about legal rights at work, and is strongly encouraged for all stewards.
Grievance Updates
* As resolved last fall, the 2009 and 2010 stipend raises and retroactive payments have started to arrive! On January 21, those employed in fall 2009 should have received their retro for that year. February 18 will see the new stipend rates, and then by March 4, all lump sum retro payments should have been made. Contact the GEO Office if you have questions by emailing geo@external.umass.edu or calling 413-545-0705.
* GEO members also grieved the rise in birth control prices, which have been lowered to the contract limit of $10 per month. Those who paid more than $10 will be automatically reimbursed by a check from AETNA. If you are still paying more than $10, or did not use your AETNA insurance for contraceptives and need to be reimbursed, please email geo@external.umass.edu. Your check will be addressed to the address AETNA has on file for you, not the address the University or GEO has. Please make sure to update your address with AETNA using the AETNA Navigator.
Other Reminders
* Be sure to re-enroll in the SHIP if you are enrolled in 5 or fewer credits or require a family plan. Visit University Health Services to do so.