There are many ways you can get involved with your union. This is a quick guide on how to get started. The best way to get introduced to the MIT GSU, however, is by talking to an organizer. So reach out to a steward near you!
Join your union today!
Membership in the union means you have the right to vote on union matters and run for elected positions. To become union members, graduate workers must pay monthly dues. The easiest way to pay dues is by signing up for automatic dues payments here. For RAs and TAs, this link will direct you to sign a dues check-off card authorizing MIT to deduct dues from your paycheck. For fellows and other workers without appointments, this link will direct you to set up voluntary dues payments via Stripe.
Graduate workers who have previously signed a union card must sign a new membership card and start making dues payments to continue their union membership.
Dues are set at 1.44% of base pay. For RAs/TAs, dues can be automatically deducted from each paycheck. For fellows, dues are set up through Stripe, an online payment platform, to charge a monthly amount equivalent to 1.44% of base pay for the new minimum stipend rate. If you are a fellow making less than the standard MIT rate or a graduate worker who is between appointments, please contact us to have your dues rate adjusted to 1.44% of your actual pay.
Membership dues are used to enforce the contract and advance the interests of the members. If you are interested in learning more about our national union’s philosophy on financial transparency and responsibility, read more here.
Please email us at contact@mitgsu.org if you have any questions about the dues payment process.
Become a steward!
The job of a union steward is to organize and mobilize the membership to enforce the benefits and protections in the contract and to serve as an official appointed representative of the union.
A good steward is many things - an organizer, a negotiator, a counselor, a peacemaker, and a troublemaker. A steward’s main job is to be there for their coworkers – everyone in every lab and division should know who their local steward is. Stewards will be given the tools and training they need to educate their coworkers about their union contract, file and fight for grievances alongside their coworkers, and to organize union actions. With a steward’s help, no one will have to navigate the contract grievance procedure or MIT’s opaque processes alone.
If you are interested in becoming a union steward, please contact us.
Learn more about getting involved!
There are many other ways to get involved with our union. Email us or contact the union representatives and organizers in your department to find out more!