The University of Michigan’s Graduate Employees’ Organization is continuing negotiations for its 2026-2029 contract with the office of Academic Human Resources. Bargaining between the University and GEO for this contract began in November 2025, and has included 23 more bargaining sessions since. The most recent occurred Oct. 2.
GEO’s most recent contract expired May 1. Thus far, tentative agreements have only been announced for two contract provisions regarding class sizes and summer healthcare benefits for newly appointed graduate workers.
On Sept. 18, the University offered a proposal package to GEO during an in-person bargaining session. The package includes a 2.5% annual increase in compensation over a four-year contract, along with continuing tuition waivers and healthcare benefits. This package did not include several of the bargaining demands from GEO, like a divestment clause and the reinvestment of those funds into University services…