Unionization will lead to a better education, MSU

Another bad idea coming out of a state whose citizens have this week observed up-close how unions are bad for economies and businesses. Will Big MSU join Big Steel, Big Airlines and now Big Auto in the long line of union victims ?

Umm, students absolutely SHOULD be concerned about professors striking. It’s one thing if maintenance workers strike and light bulbs are not replaced, but it’s another when you PAY MONEY FOR AN EDUCATION and the teachers decide they don’t like their contract anymore.

But what do I know? The unionization of General Motors really worked out well…

“Faculty without tenure, some of whom have been working here for 25 years, would be able to work harder without having to worry about losing their jobs to budget cuts. It might seem like that benefit would be small, but the relief of job security can do a lot for a person.”

Right, because professors at a public education institution funded by taxpayer dollars should have job security that is not available to most of the citizens providing said funding.

I love my union. Since 2002 we have gotten guaranteed pay increases, job security, professional development and better health insurance. By working together with the University they have identified what grad employees really need and want and have focused resources there. Our Union (GEU) gives us a voice in the University community that the administrators can’t ignore. I know when I leave MSU it will be a better place for students to learn than when I came. Students will undoubtedly see a positive return when their professors aren’t worried about finding another job every single semester.

“I love my union. Since 2002 we have gotten guaranteed pay increases, job security, professional development and better health insurance. By working together with the University they have identified what grad employees really need and want and have focused resources there. Our Union (GEU) gives us a voice in the University community that the administrators can’t ignore.”

I…we…our…need…want.

“I know when I leave MSU it will be a better place for students to learn than when I came.”

Funny, your list of improvements don’t seem to give the students very much unless they’re grad students – who already get free tuition and a stipend with or without a union.

I’d love your union too.

You realize that part of OUR massive tuition increases the past few years have been because of YOUR union. Right?

MSU Grad students already had a very good package and threatened to go on strike if they didnt get a major cost of living raise….uh…you realize most people in Michigan are very glad to just have a job right?

Raising tuition on students who can barely afford to go to college in the first place in this state to pay 3+% raises on students who already get a lot of compensation for the courses they teach is not good policy.

This just extends that policy further. The admin dont lose, only students who have to foot the bill will feel it.

Perhaps MSU undergrads should unionize and demand things like all the other unions do. Unions used to be about social action, not just the gimme gimme.

What an excellent example of the entitlement mentality that is currently destroying our domestic automotive industry and a major part of the economy. “Guaranteed raises”: how can anyone justify that? If the university is losing money, who are they going to screw over to make sure they meet your contracted raise? Oh, the student’s that’s who. So they end up paying more for your sub-par teaching performance with which you spew out your hatred for anything capitalistic. Get a real job then you won’t have to worry about how much the university is paying you to get an advanced degree.

Really, people? It was the unions that built the middle class in this nation. It was the labor movement that has provided us with what we call and know as “the weekend” and holidays to spend with family.

This is a distribution of wealth concern. Think about – at a University with more than $1 billion, with a B, in revenue each year, a recipient of more than a $100 million each year in grants and gift, national grants like FRIB of $550 million, and a growth rate of our endowment increasing faster than most institutions in the country since 2000, it is only appropriate the faculty and staff that worked to secure a student body, reputation, and accolades on behalf of the University be provided their fair share – and they aren’t even at this point.

Maybe you have this old 1970’s image of the blue collar uneducated union member.

Some of the more “selfish” things GEU has fought for recently as they persist in their quest to destroy the university:

- Earlier employment notification dates: So grad students can start planning classes well in advance, rather than throwing something together at the last minute.

- Mandatory professional development training: Yes, the union fought for this and the university didn’t want to give it.

You are a TOOOOOOOOOOL Union-Boy. Grad students make a CHOICE to stay in school. That choice does not need to include the option of striking because they had to pay for a vaccine to take a trip to Somalia. They have students who pay a lot of money for an education that depend on them. So again, you can get all those benefits by working for an actual company that makes money. It is your choice to go to grad school and by demanding more out of the institution which provides you a great education DOES make you selfish.

Well said, Proud Union Member.