Get Involved with your Union!

Members Run This Union

Why get involved? There is no union without you, and every one of your coworkers. Everything we have won as a union has happened because grad workers like you worked together, believed in one another, and dedicated time to organizing and fighting for our rights. Protecting and expanding those rights will only happen if our members stay informed and involved. What that looks like will be different for every individual – you might want to attend General Membership Meetings to participate in decision-making, talk to your lab or office mates, or become a steward to help advocate for your peers. 

Graduate school can be an isolating experience. One benefit of organizing with GLU is the opportunity to forge connections both within your program and across the university. As we organize towards common goals across campus, meetings and social events are a great opportunity to meet new people and work towards building a community where we stand in solidarity with one another all across the University.

Come to a General Membership Meeting (GMM)

GMMs are monthly union-wide gatherings for us to discuss current issues, vote on proposals, and stay up-to-date on GLU-UE news such as bargaining updates and major grievances. These meetings are a great opportunity to ask questions, meet and stay engaged with your graduate coworkers, and participate in the democratic union process. Proposals adopted by our membership, as well as instructions for bringing forth a proposal, can be found here. Our union is as strong as our members’ engagement, so we hope to see you there –  and please invite your friends and coworkers!

GLU and individual divisions also organize other social events and rallies around particular issues. Check our Events Calendar or your email to find info on the next GMM and other events.

Attend your Division’s meeting

Divisions are groups of grad programs, mostly organized by proximity on campus. Organizers in each division meet regularly to discuss department- or program-level issues and organizing. If you’re interested in getting more involved but not sure where to start, or have a particular issue you’d like to raise, attending a division meeting is a great option. Division meetings are open to all members.

Become an Assistant Organizer

Assistant Stewards are the on-the-ground points of contact between their programs and labs and the union. For our union to be strong and effective, we need as many people as possible, in every corner of the University, keeping informed, talking to their friends and coworkers, and ensuring that the contract is being enforced.

Assistant Organizers are non-elected volunteers, who work with and under the leadership of elected Stewards. However much work you’re able to put into this position, you will be a valued member of our union’s organizing team.

If you’d like to become an Assistant Organizer, email any of our Chief Stewards with your intent, or attend a Division meeting!

Join a Committee

There are many different tasks that need to be done to keep our union running and best able to serve our members and community- these are just a few! Some committees will require you to become a steward, but many are open to all members. Reach out to a committee chair to get involved.