The University of Michigan might have more in common with MSU after all.
The two schools, along with Wayne State University, have found their graduate employees vying for contracts simultaneously. MSU’s Graduate Employees Union is searching for its first contract, while U-M’s Graduate Employees Organization and Wayne State’s Graduate Employees Organizing Committee are hoping to renew their contracts.
Todd Mireles, organizer of MSU’s GEU, said union members are feeling positive.
“Both sides have to give and take,” he said. “I think obviously the university wants certain things, just like we want certain things. I have no doubts in the months to come, we’ll be able to hammer out a lot.”
He said a strong message is being sent to the administrators of Michigan’s three largest universities because the school’s graduate students are organizing at the same time.
The GEU is hoping to lay groundwork to address basic matters relating to working hours and class sizes, while U-M is focusing on issues such as child care.
“When you’re talking about negotiating a contract, especially a first contract, you have to be focussed on other matters,” Mireles said. “We don’t want to get distracted about these other things - there will be time to negotiate other contracts.”
Louis Lessem, Wayne State’s vice president of general council, said he recognizes the schools’ graduate organizations are in different developmental stages because they vary in age.
“Obviously we know one another,” he said. “We’re all from different places. U-M has a very mature contract. We’re in our second contract, of course (the GEU) has the hardest job because you have to negotiate everything.”
Sam Baker, MSU’s assistant vice president of human resources, said he couldn’t comment on the situation because negotiations are ongoing.
Colleagues at U-M, whose 11th contract expires Feb. 1, are giving their full support and encouragement to MSU’s GEU.
“We see them all as colleagues,” said Rodolfo Palma, U-M’s union organizer. “We’re all from the same community. The chances of going to U-M or MSU, it’s just the luck of the draw. We frankly hope to work with everyone more.”
Palma said the GEU needs to continue working patiently with MSU administrators. He said U-M’s organization - the nation’s second oldest - has seen the school become less blatantly anti-union in its 27-year history.
“We’re hoping that (U-M administrators) take us seriously and everything will go hunky-dory,” Palma said.
Another group working with the unions is the Michigan Federation of Teachers and School Related Personnel. The federation’s president, David Hecker, said the organization assists in building new groups, such as the GEU, into strong local unions.
“Hopefully, they’ll resolve a contract without much difficulty,” he said. “If they get difficult and we have not, we’ll flex our muscle and I might get involved.”
