A union of graduate students employed by Michigan State University has renewed its contract with the university, winning increased wages and expanded healthcare coverage but falling short of the group's original goals.

The new contract between MSU and the Graduate Employees Union, or GEU, takes effect Thursday and will expire in 2028. It's the result of months of bargaining and hours-long negotiation sessions.

The union, which has been in place since 2001, represents graduate teaching assistants, research assistants, fellows, and other employees. It has over 350 members who pay dues worth 1.6% of their pay.

The GEU ratified the contract last week with 91% approval. 

The agreement "is a reflection of the university’s commitment to bargaining in good faith and resolving differences, such as increased stipends and improved health care benefits that are mutually beneficial to both parties,” MSU spokesperson Mark Bullion wrote in a statement.

Raises

Under the new contract, all graduate students employed by the university will see a 12% raise in salaries over a four-year period, starting August 2024. Minimum stipend rates will also increase by 19% over four years.

PhD student Briana Markoff, who co-led negotiations for the GEU, said the raise is still "not enough to catch up" with the rising housing rates in East Lansing.

"It used to be true that MSU paid us what it cost to live in East Lansing, but they don't anymore," said Markoff, who is also a teaching and research assistant. "What we really wanted was a raise that would bring us back to that."

GEU initially proposed a 68% raise to minimum stipends over four years, which Markoff said would have matched pay with the cost of living.