Become a member

Join us as a member of GSOC! Learn more and sign a union card to become a member below!

Why Become a Member?

Members of our union can access many benefits:

  • You can vote on union matters in membership meetings;
  • You can join one of our committees;
  • You can hold an office within our union (e.g., steward);
  • You can join our bargaining committee to play a role in our contract negotiations; and
  • You can proudly say that you are a dues-paying member of your union, i.e. you contribute to keeping your union running!
  • See additional benefits of membership in our bylaws.
Sign a Union Card to Become a Member!

Every worker in a union position receives the rights and benefits of our collective bargaining agreement with NYU. However, to finalize your membership in our union, you must sign a dues authorization card. Your union card should be distributed with your letter(s) of appointment and through your department by GSOC stewards (contact us if this isn’t happening!).

Or, click the button above to sign a PDF of the union card. Then, email or scan a photo of your signed card to local2110@2110uaw.org or give it to a steward. (GSOC does not process cards on its own so we are asking you to send the card to our parent union, Local 2110!)

Local 2110 receives and processes a large volume of union cards from 30+ workplaces, and may not confirm receipt of your card. This will not affect your membership rights.

Once you have initially signed and submitted a union card, it will be kept on file for any subsequent union positions you work. You do not need to resubmit your card even if you work in a different NYU department.

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Types of Membership in GSOC

You can be one of three types of GSOC member: a full member, a member with full membership maintenance, or an associate member. Click through the tabs below to learn more.

Full Membership
  • Eligibility: Graduate workers who currently hold a union job.
  • Rights: All union membership rights as well as union benefits.
  • Dues: 2% of total compensation deducted for the semester in which you work.
  • To Enroll: Sign a union card and email it to local2110@2110uaw.org. You are enrolled once you submit your card; a confirmation is NOT needed. Dues will be deducted automatically from your paycheck.

Signing up to pay either union dues, or equivalent agency fees is a mandatory condition of employment while working in a union position.

Full Membership Maintenance
  • Eligibility: Individuals who worked in a union job in the last three semesters.
  • Rights: All union membership rights, but not the union benefits.
  • Dues: $10 per month for fully-funded Ph.D. students, and $5 per month for unfunded graduate students.
  • To Enroll: Sign a union card and email it to local2110@2110uaw.org and CC us at gsoc@2110uaw.org. Write “Maintaining Membership” in the subject line, and we will send you further instructions. Make sure to get a confirmation from us.
Associate Membership
  • Eligibility: Individuals who haven’t worked a union job so far or haven’t worked in one in the last three semesters.
  • Rights: All unit-level union membership rights, except: representing members in grievances and collective bargaining, voting for contract ratification, voting at the Local 2110 level, voting at the UAW International level, and serving on the Joint Council.
  • Dues: $30 per year or $2.50 per month.
  • To Enroll: Sign a union card and email it to local2110@2110uaw.org and CC us at gsoc@2110uaw.org. Write “Associate Membership” in the subject line, and we will send you further instructions. Make sure to get a confirmation from us.