2023-2024 Bargaining Platform

Red and black banner with black and white text that reads "GEs Deserve Dignity." The logo at right of the banner shows a red star overlaid with black text reading "GTFF 3544" and encircled by text reading "Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation Collective Bargaining."

DIGNITY IS:

Economic Stability 

Membership Priorities: Increase salary to a living wage; reduce fees including online course fees; coverage of specialized equipment; overwork protections; increase number of summer GE appointments  

Relevant Articles: 9, 17, 19, 22, 23, 29

Health and Wellbeing 

Membership Priorities: Maintain current health insurance; improve access to housing, childcare and restrooms; establish healthy workspaces; maintain benefits when on medical, parental, and academic leave  

Relevant Articles: 10, 24, 25, 29

Respect for International GEs

Membership Priorities: Address precarity international students face; improve housing access including more transparency in university housing application process and access to guarantors; coverage for SEVIS, VISA and other application fees; improve summer security; protection from termination due to travel bans; strengthen non-discrimination language  

Relevant Articles: 8, 16, 25, 30

Professional Working Conditions  

Membership Priorities: Increase transparency and GE input in GE assignments; establish paid training and opportunities for professional development and conferences; coverage for necessary certifications, establish pay for course preparation and substitute labor; establish better clarity in offer letters; improve work environment including adequate and safe office space; address poor air quality and climate conditions; ensure GEs have access to reliable wifi 

Relevant Articles: 8, 9, 10, 12,17, 25, 31

Resources for Underserved Groups

Membership Priorities: Codify paid parental leave and more support for caregivers; improve restroom access including more gender-neutral restrooms; restrooms with bidets, and increase number of lactation spaces; improve disability access in GE work assignments; accessible parking; expand general eligibility for grad assistance fund; increasing the amount of GEs working in the Diversity and Inclusion office in the Division of Graduate Studies 

Relevant Articles: 19, 22, 25, 30 I, J, K,

Bridging the Power Gap

The articles below address more operational challenges and inequities that have been identified by GTFF leadership that will improve the union’s ability to organize and respond to member needs. These include increasing the amount of union releases available each term, which gives GTFF leadership more capacity to conduct union business (e.g. organizing members, steward support, identifying grievances, community outreach, etc.); adjusting the duration of the contract so that we can address concerns such as wages more frequently; and updating the information we regularly receive from UO about GE appointments

Relevant Articles: 3, 33, 41, 42