The most impactful way to get involved with the GEU is to join our Executive Board or one of the many committees they support!
What is a committee?
Committees are groups of members, led by an Executive Board member, which carry out the most important functions of GEU. Joining a committee is a great way to get involved and work with other graduate employees from across campus. All committees are open. Email us at info@pdxgeu.org if you have any questions on how to join one of these committees!
Organizing Committee
Organizing includes helping build community and solidarity amongst graduate employees by organizing meetings and events, working on the website and communications to keep members informed, and recruiting new members. Meetings are 11am on Mondays via zoom.
To join the Organizing Committee, email externa.relations@pdxgeu.org or simply join us on zoom!
Negotiations Committee
The Negotiations Committee is composed of to two individual yet interconnected groups, as described below:
Bargaining Team When bargaining is ongoing, the Bargaining Team is responsible for engaging in negotiations during all bargaining sessions, scheduling bargaining meetings with administration,and all other activities directly related to bargaining. When bargaining is not ongoing, the Bargaining Team forms the Labor/Management committee and meets regularly with administration to discuss contract implementation issues.
Contract Action Team The objective of the Contract Action Team is to build a campaign to support contract negotiations. When negotiations are not ongoing, the Contract Action Team works as the Organizing Committee.
To join either Negotiations Committee sub-committees, email bargaining@pdxgeu.org.
Communications Committee
The Communications Committee maintains the GEU newsletter, website, and social media accounts. The Communications Committee is responsible for keeping members informed of all GEU activities, events, meetings, campaigns, and relevant news related to GEU.
To join the Communications Committee, email communications@pdxgeu.org.
Grievance Committee
A grievance is a formal complaint raised by an employee against the employer within the confines of the workplace. The Grievance Committee will determine the viability of grievances and track grievances in progress, and may support GEU members throughout the grievance process.
To join the Grievance Committee, email grievances@pdxgeu.org
Equity Committee
The Equity Committee is committed to building an equitable union that is accessible to all and representative of the graduate employee population at Portland State University. The Equity Committee will serve as a resource for members and all graduate students at PSU to learn about issues related to labor and diversity, and may organize events or activities to this end.
Currently the Equity Committee is unfilled. To volunteer for the Equity Committee, email us at info@pdxgeu.org.
Political Action Committee
The Political Action Committee coordinates and encourages positive participation in political activity among GEU membership, and mobilizes civic engagement both within the University and in the wider local, state, and federal community. Members of this committee will track policy changes, ballot measures, legislation, and other political matters that could affect GEU, labor unions, graduate students, or higher education in general, and may recommend advocacy or political action on certain issues.
Currently the Political Action Committee is unfilled. To volunteer for the Equity Committee, email us at info@pdxgeu.org.
Social Engagement Committee
The Social Engagement Committee organizes GEU social events and leads efforts to build a community among the graduate student community in pursuit of Community and Solidarity. This committee is also tasked with organizing GEU General Membership Meetings.
Currently the Social Engagement Committee is unfilled. To volunteer for the Equity Committee, email us at info@@pdxgeu.org
To learn more about how committees work within the GEU, check out GEU’s Constitution and Bylaws.