Ann Arbor - Members of the University of Michigan’s Graduate Employees Organization led a one-day walkout on Monday that left some classes empty.
About 500 graduate student instructors at the Ann Arbor campus picketed several locations to show the organization is working without a contract.
U-M spokeswoman Julie Peterson said some classes had low turnout but weren’t canceled.
“My suspicion is that some classes did not meet,” she said.
Peterson said further negotiations were booked for today, but a tough budget year is limiting the school’s financial abilities.
The graduate students have been negotiating with U-M administration since October. Several agreements were reached early Monday morning after a 16-hour session.
Union members said if both sides are not in a position to sign a new contract on March 17, the union will vote whether or not to indefinitely strike. The proposed strike would begin March 19.
Several matters remain unsettled including child care and wages. The union last struck in March 1999. It lasted three days before a settlement was reached.
“We’re hoping that this will put enough pressure on them that they will be able to come to some sort of compromise or at least talk with us at the table about the economic issues,” said Nick Syrett, treasurer of the organization and a U-M graduate student.
Members of the organization were hopeful the walkout would speed up negotiations.
“If this is successful then negotiations with the university could be finished this week, I think that’s what everybody is hoping,” said Eva Marie Dubuisson, a U-M graduate student.
Members of MSU’s Graduate Employees Union were in Ann Arbor to show their support. Union officials are negotiating with MSU officials for their first contract.
“They’ve been bargaining the last few months and they really haven’t gotten anything - it’s a well thought-out decision,” said Jessica Goodkind, president of MSU’s graduate student union.
Goodkind said the union has not ruled out anything - including a strike of its own.
A one-day strike supported by Direct Action, a Lansing-based activist group, took place at MSU Monday calling for undergraduates not to attend class. Direct Action officials plan to meet tonight to discuss what to do next.
Dubuisson said U-M administration sent letters condemning the walkout and asked others on campus not to support the graduates.
No-preference U-M freshman Nic Bommarito’s classes were canceled Monday.
“If it was indefinite, I’d be kind of pissed ‘cause I’m paying money, but since it’s just a day, it’s good.”
