A data-driven approach is needed to keep our members informed.

To inform the bargaining strategy that won GEO its largest three-year wage increase in history, Aidan and Chrissy conducted extensive research and created computational tools. They worked together to create a cost calculator that accurately estimated the cost to the university of any economic proposal GEO made. The bargaining team used this calculator to ensure that GEO was bargaining in good faith and making reasonable progress throughout the entire process.

Both before and during his time on the Bargaining Committee, Aidan adopted the goal of verifying just how strong or weak UMass’s contract truly is when compared with our peer institutions. He sought to identify the following points of comparison:

• How well are UMass graduate students paid when adjusted for Massachusetts’ extremely high cost of living?
• How much should housing cost in Amherst?
• How much is UMass charging for graduate housing?
• How has the Hampshire County housing market changed since 2014?
• How has UMass enrollment changed since 2014?
• Where does UMass’s money come from?
• How big is UMass’s surplus?

From his research, Aidan concluded the following:

• UMass graduate students are some of the worst-paid grad workers among our peers.
• The fair market rent in Amherst is about $1100-1200 for a one-bedroom apartment.
• UMass charges over $2100 for a one-bedroom apartment at Fieldstone.
• The housing market in Hampshire County has shrunk since 2014, despite UMass enrollment increasing dramatically.
• UMass receives a huge amount of money from its dining and merchandise sales.
• UMass runs a massive surplus every year (often over $100 million)