The Stewards' Council serves as the main policy-making body. Stewards are elected from their departments to represent their members and to keep their members informed about union activities. The Stewards' Council also operates as the Union's grievance c ommittee, overseeing the flow of grievances through the procedure. During the school year, the Stewards Council meets weekly. These officers chair committees and ensure the everyday maintenance of the Union.
Membership is voluntary.
The Membership elects officers and stewards, votes on constitutional amendments and political endorsements and must ratify each employment contract. Members may also attend and vote at Stewards' Council meetings and participate in committee work. The MGAA bargained its first employment contract in the spring of 1992 for Program, Project and Teaching Assistants. This contract formalized many existing practices and created several new, important provisions. The Union recently bargained its second contract and continues its battle for tuition waivers for all graduate students, a battle that takes place within the State Assembly rather than at the bargaining table.