Negotiation Update

Updated March 31, 2008

University, GEO reach tentative contract agreement

A tentative agreement on a new three-year contract for graduate student instructors (GSI) and graduate staff assistants between the University and the Graduate Employees' Organization (GEO) was reached on March 25. The tentative agreement now must be approved by the GEO membership.

The agreement calls for an increase in minimum GSI full-time salary rates by 3 percent for three years beginning in September 2008. In addition, the rate will be increased in 2008 by $480, and in 2009 and 2010 it will be increased by $75 each year. Also, the salary rates for those at employment fractions less than .25 are increased.

In the area of health insurance, for those at the lower employment fractions the University now will contribute 100 percent toward their GradCare premium (previously it was 50 percent) and the tuition waiver for those now at .237 will be 100 percent. In all, there was agreement on 19 issues.

"The University sees this new contract as a significant advance to the continued recruitment of top graduate students," says Jeff Frumkin, assistant provost and director of Academic Human Resources.

By Joel Seguine
Public Affairs and Media Relations
University Record
March 31, 2008