Members of the Graduate Employees Union of Michigan State University have voted to reject the university's current economic proposal and hold a one-day work stoppage on Thursday, April 25.

The GEU, which represents 1,500 graduate and teaching assistants, last year voted for representation by the Michigan Federation of Teachers and School Related Personnel/AFT. The union is trying to secure its first contract and has come to tentative agreement on the non-economic issues, says Jackie Miller, a member of the GEU steering committee.

The issues that are proving intractable are healthcare and wages. The university's proposal does not include spouse and dependent healthcare coverage, even though all MSU employees get such coverage. Its salary proposal is below the rate of inflation, so it would result in a pay loss. "It's not what we organized a union for," says Miller.

The GEU also voted to authorize the steering committee to call a strike during finals week, April 29-May 3, if a fair and reasonable contract agreement has not been reached. On the day of the walkout, it will also hold a press conference with student, labor, community and religious group supporters and a rally at the administration building. Contract updates are posted on the GEU Web site.  [Barbara McKenna / AFT On Campus]

April 24, 2002