Dozens of Graduate Employees Union members picketed on Grand River Avenue on Tuesday to voice their discontent with MSU decision-makers.
The demonstration, dubbed "Afternoon of Action," aimed to bring public awareness to the recent decision by the university to alter graduate student's titles from teaching assistants to instructors. The name switch would remove the university's responsibility to provide tuition waivers and health care, among other items, according to GEU officials
A contract reached between MSU and the GEU in the spring 2002 guaranteed fair wages, quality health care, tuition waivers and union rights for all members classified as TAs.
GEU president Scott Henkel said due to the recent budget crisis, MSU is attempting to cut corners by withdrawing benefits for many TAs, while still expecting them to carry the same workload.
"I feel cheated, the expectation is to come here, have a job and have benefits here," Henkel said. "It's not a complex issue, they're keeping our job description but changing the title. They're taking away our union rights and our health care.
"It's not that they're evil or mean, but they're hoping to balance the budget on our backs."
Bob Banks, assistant provost and vice president for academic human resources, denied knowledge of any title-changing, adding that GEU grievances were, "not an unusual sort of practice."
A grievance was filed with the provost's office on May 20, citing breach of the spring 2002 contract. Duncan Woodhead, co-chair of the grievance committee, said the GEU hasn't heard from the university yet, but expects a response by Friday.
"It's such a widespread problem - we're hoping the university will read and interpret the contract in good faith, and reclassify all they've hired," he said.
A main concern for those affected was how to fund the added expenses of tuition and health care while still maintaining a classroom presence.
Julie Hartman, third year philosophy doctorate student and GEU information officer, said she was lucky enough to retain her title as a TA for fall, but her job is no longer guaranteed for the future.
"I have enough invested here that I don't want to have to leave," she said, adding that if forced to pay tuition and health care while working as an instructor, "most of us would be packing our bags and going home."
GEU information officer Brian Thomas likened the university's situation to similar life experiences.
"When I go through hard times, I can't tell the credit card people I'm not going to pay them this month, or just stop paying the utilities and rent, it's a contract violation," he said. "This should be viewed the same way."
The event drew support from non-university affiliated students as well.
East Lansing resident Ben Burgis made the decision to voice his opinion after becoming informed through an e-mail. Parading up and down the sidewalk with a "Missing: Health Care. Had it, now it's gone" sign, the 2003 Aquinas College graduate said even though he is not directly affected, the cause is one worth fighting for.
"I'd be very upset and hope I didn't get sick," he added. "I think it underscores the fact it (the union) is a good idea. The university is like a corporation and if they can get away with taking away this stuff, they will."
