We, the undersigned, call on the University of Massachusetts Lowell to recognize the vital role graduate student workers play in the mission of UML. Teaching Assistants and Research Assistants deserve a fair contract that allows them safe and respectful working conditions, a livable stipend, and comprehensive health benefits in order to complete their work without economic worry. The Graduate Employee Organization (GEO) is seeking improvements to graduate worker working conditions that will support their ability to continue to engage in quality teaching and research for the university.

To this end, we call upon the University of Massachusetts Lowell to agree to a fair contract with graduate workers that includes the following:

Protections for international graduate student workers

Ban on paying out of pocket for work materials

Written notification of job duties at the time graduate workers sign their contract

Additional assistantships, in lieu of release time for union work, to allow GEO to handle union business in line with other UMass campuses

Stronger sexual harassment protections—including the ability to take concerns to a third party arbiter

Guarantee to be paid on time every semester

Full health insurance premium coverage

Dental and vision insurance

Competitive stipends that meet the cost of living in Lowell and are not immediately returned to the university through an increase in graduate worker fees