UE Local 896 - COGS -- Home page of Your Union

UE Local 896/COGS is seeking an Organizer and Office Coordinator. More information, including application instructions, can be found by clicking here for the Organizer position and here for the Office Coordinator.

COGS members recently ratified a new contract that goes into effect on July 1, 2009. More information on this contract can be found here.

UE Local 896/COGS represents approximately 2,500 Teaching and Research Assistants at the University of Iowa. We are a democratic, rank-and-file union, or, put more simply: The Members Run This Union!

Organized in 1996, the members of UE Local 896/COGS dedicate themselves to the fight for just salaries, benefits and working conditions for all Teaching and Research Assistants.

The University of Iowa Works Because We Do!

Do You Know Your Steward?

Stewards are the backbone of UE Local 896 - COGS, serving as the official union representative in departments around campus. All departments should have at least one union steward. Click here to see a list of the stewards that have been reported to the UE-COGS Office. If your department steward is not listed, please contact us at cogs@cogs.org. If you are interested in being a steward or in electing a steward for your department, contact one of the chief stewards at cogs@cogs.org.

Current Contract In Effect

On July 1, 2007, our new contract took effect. This contract preserves the rights we’ve won during the past ten years and continues the efforts to improve the living and working conditions of graduate employees at the University of Iowa.

With the new contract, salaries will continue to increase. The new minimum salary for a 50% academic year appointment is $16,277, while for a 50% fiscal year appointment the minimum salary increases to $19,894. This fall, minimum tuition scholarships will increase to $1,962 per semester for nine credit hours, or approximately 62.5% of tuition. Tuition scholarships for different levels of enrollment will continue to be pro-rated accordingly.

The union will mail you a copy of the contract this fall, but you can view the actual agreement at 2007-2009 Agreement. A breakdown of the agreement’s effect on take-home pay can be viewed by clicking on 2007-2009 Take Home Pay.

If you have any questions on the new contract, contact the COGS Office at 337-5074.

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10 years of COGS!!! See the Union Difference...

UE Local 896 - COGS:
The Graduate Employee Union at the University of Iowa
10 Years at the University of Iowa!!!
We're Just Getting Started!!!

See the Difference the Union has already made ...

Before UE-COGS 1995-1996	With UE-COGS 1996-Present
Salaries
Minimum 50% Salary 1995-96 = $10,500	Minimum 50% Salary = $16,277 Greater than 50% increase in just over 10 years
Tuition Scholarships
Majority of graduate employees not granted a tuition scholarship for TA or RA work	All TAs and RAs receive a minimum tuition scholarship equivalent to 62.5% of the cost of tuition
Health Insurance
No preventive care No dental plan No prescription drug coverage No mental health coverage Employees paid the full cost of dependent insurance	Full preventive care - $0 per visit Full dental plan Full prescription drug coverage Full mental health coverage Employees only pay 30% of cost for dependent insurance
Workplace Rights
No grievance procedure No protection against overwork No appointment posting and letters No job security No protected paid leave Grievance procedure with binding arbitration	Contract protections against overwork Departments post appointments and give appointment letters by deadlines Departments must honor initial promises of employment Paid leaves including sick leave, family illness leave, bereavement leave, and jury duty

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The University of Iowa Works Because We Do!