Geo Set To Strike

ANN ARBOR- On the evening of September 23, 180 graduate students engaged in an emotional two hour discussion about their displeasure with the University of Michigan's handling of teaching assistant contract negotiations. The meeting culminated with a near concensus vote (greater than 90%) granting the steering commitee of Graduate Employee Organization (GEO) the authority to cali a strike vote if the mediation scheduled on September 26 was unsuccessful.

During the noon hour of September 25, more than 75 graduate students picketed the administration building to protest the University's arrogance and insensitivity to their needs. Graduate students toted signs and chanted such rhymes as: "1, 2, 3, 4, push us and we'll walk out the door." Where did this motivation originate? What is the current status of the GEO contract? Are the T.A.s going on strike?

Graduate student teaching assistants have lost buying power over the last five years. While the cost of tuition, housing, and living for the average T.A. has increased by 33%, 31%, and 35%, respectively, T.A. salaries have risen only 22%. The net result is that disposable income for T.A.s has decreased 26%. Furthermore, T.A. pay and benefits at the U. of M. currently ranks 7th amoung Big 10 universities.

While the University continues to work down the pay of its T.A.s. It has generously rewarded the members of its bargaining team. For example, the salary of Colleen Dolan-Greene, the University's Chief Negotiator, has increased from $38,500 in 1980 to $58,000 in 1985, a five year increase of 51%. Such funding priorities illustrate the University's anti-labor activities.

The University has consistently pursued a negotiating strategy designed to prevent a fair settlement. Over seven months of negotiations, they have made only microscopic changes in their offer - from the initial offer of a 3 percent pay increase and no increase in tuition waiver to a 4.7% pay increase and a 3% increase in tuition waiver. This offer is not nearly enough to cover the increases graduate students have experienced this year in tuition, rent, and food.

GEO, meanwhile, has moved from an opening position of 9 percent pay increase and a 20 percent increase in the tuition waiver to a 5.7% pay increase and a 10% increase in the tuition waiver. The University can afford to meet GEO's offer. Only $500,000- a mere .025% of the University's budget - separates the two sides. Furthermore, the University has flatly rejected any effort to pay T.A.s for teacher training, demonstrating their lack of commitment to improving the quality of undergraduate education at U-M.

The University has tried to split the membership of GEO by offering a higher tuition waiver to T.A.s with larger appointments. With such an offer the University hopes to separate the interests of different parts of the GEO to weaken the future bargaining strength of the union as a whole.

Clearly, GEO needs to demonstrate strength before the University will take it seriously. Thus far, GEO has taken a stand through membership support of the strike authorization vote and the September 25 demonstration. On Friday, September 26, the University and GEO met in mediation. During the previous mediation the University refused to move from their position. If this event is repeated the GEO steering committee will call a strike vote.

When looked at in isolation the current plight of Michigan's graduate students is just an unfortunate event. The saga gains significance in light of national trends in education and labor relations. With the declining standard of living of T.A.s, graduate study will become even more of a privilege of the well-to-do. This is consistent with national trends in college education of the decreasing availability of financial aid, increasing tuition, and declining recruitment of minorities. Furthermore, the University's union-busting stance is consistent with what seems to be a national anti-organized labor policy.