Administrative Manual —Terms and Conditions of Employment for Graduate Assistants

Graduate teaching and research assistant appointments and employment terms and conditions are governed by:  

1. The University's Policy Manual (https://policy.uiowa.edu)
2. Graduate College and Department Policies (https://grad.uiowa.edu/funding/graduate-assistantships-and-loans); and
3. Regarding base wages,  a collective bargaining agreement between the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, and UE Local 896 COGS (https://hr.uiowa.edu/bargaining/cogs)

Graduate Student Employment Standards & Grievance Procedures

The Graduate Student Employment Standards addresses employment matters such as posting of appointments, hours, health insurance, paid leaves and holidays, unpaid leaves, personnel files and grievance procedures. (https://grad.uiowa.edu/funding/graduate-student-employment-standards) 

Grievance Procedures

Graduate assistants may file grievances related to any matters alleging a violation involving the application and interpretation of provisions of the graduate assistant terms of employment. The grievance procedures described in the Graduate Student Employment Standards do not apply to complaints or grievances filed under other University policies.

The parties to a complaint should first try to resolve the issue informally. The graduate assistant has the right to be accompanied by a witness observer or support person in all stages of the grievance procedure. If an alleged violation of the bargaining agreement cannot be resolved informally, the first level at which a formal grievance may be filed is with the DEO. If the grievance is appealed to the College (the second level of grievance), it should be sent to the Dean or Dean’s designee (240 Schaeffer Hall). The Area Associate Dean or designee will respond to the grievance on behalf of the College.

See Grievance Procedure in the Graduate Student Employment Standards, for time limits on filing grievances and responding to grievances and for levels of appeal. Michelle Kongable, Employee and Labor Relations (319-335-3558) can also advise on grievance procedures.

COGS Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)

Graduate assistant employees are in a bargaining unit represented by the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America, Local 896 COGS. The UE/COGS collective bargaining agreement is negotiated every two years; the agreement covers wages.

The Collective Bargaining Agreements are posted on the web at https://hr.uiowa.edu/bargaining/cogs.