Sign up here to pay your dues online and become a member! As of July 1st, 2017, the state of Iowa no longer allows COGS to collect dues from your university paycheck.
Why Join UE-COGS?
UE-COGS is the union for all TAs and RAs at the University of Iowa. UE-COGS is an organization run by TAs and RAs from all over campus. Since 1996 UE-COGS has won….
- Grad Care, a quality and affordable insurance plan, with UI paying 90% of single premiums & 70% of dependent premiums
- Quality and affordable dental insurance
- An increase in minimum salaries of 75%
- 100% Tuition Scholarships for CLAS and Education
- 50% Fees Scholarship
- Protections against overwork & an effective grievance procedure
- Many grievances that have defended and further strengthen our rights as educational professionals
The strength of any union is its membership. Since 1996 UE-COGS members have worked tirelessly to improve conditions for all graduate employees at the University of Iowa. UE-COGS is democratic, member run union. Your voice is needed, whatever department you come from. Having reaped the benefits of unionization, you can increase the ability of UE-COGS to advance all of our rights as professionals by joining the union.
What Rights and Privileges Come With Membership?
All UE-COGS members have an equal vote on contract and grievance issues, policy positions, and union governance. All UE-COGS members have the right to bring anything before the membership. All UE-COGS members have the right to be nominated and elected to any UE-COGS position, from president to departmental steward.
UE-COGS members receive a Discount Card good at many local businesses in the Iowa City and Coralville area. These businesses provide these discounts because they appreciate the work COGS members do to make the lives of graduate employees better.
UE-COGS members also receive the monthly newsletter Cognition and regular e-mail updates so they can stay up-to-date on current issues. Most importantly, COGS members get a say in a democratic union that strives to make working conditions, pay, and benefits the best they can be.
How Much Are Dues and What Do They Go To?
Dues are $28.86 a month. Because of legislative changes to Chapter 20 of Iowa law, dues are no longer automatically deducted from your paycheck. Please use this online form or stop by our office to set up regular dues payments. Members only pay dues during the months they receive a check for employment from the University.
Like any organization, UE-COGS depends on finances to exist and be effective. Dues fund union activities, office space, equipment, and postage costs. Dues are also used whenever a grievance goes to arbitration so that we can defend our contract rights. Dues enable UE-COGS to hire a part-time office coordinator and part-time organizer. Finally, a portion of our dues goes to our national union, the UE. In return, the UE provides us with legal assistance and a national union field organizer who assist us in contract negotiations, grievance handling and arbitration, training, and organizing.