Some MSU graduate teaching assistants are demanding back pay they say the university owes them after winning a grievance arbitration in August.
Wording in the contract developed between MSU's Graduate Employees Union and the university left the matter of a higher pay level confusing to both sides, union President Scott Henkel said.
According to the union's contract, a teaching assistant must have at least four semesters experience as a graduate assistant to receive a higher pay level - also known as level three pay.
But union officials say the phrase "at least," allowed departments to set the experience requirement as high as 12 semesters.
History graduate student and teaching assistant Duncan Woodhead said he has been working in the history and integrative arts and humanities departments at a lower level of pay than his contract with the university granted him.
"I've worked long and hard at my teaching," Woodhead said, "I'm proud of what I do. It is only fair I be compensated for my efforts."
Henkel said the university's expectations are unfair.
"You would have to be in your sixth year of graduate school to attain level three pay," Henkel said. "Basically, no one would get level three pay."
The union filed a grievance with the university in August 2002, and the matter eventually went to an outside arbitrator who ruled in favor of the teaching assistants last month.
Henkel said he estimated the issue affects about 300 teaching assistants who could retrieve about $180,000 in back pay from the university.
He said, in the last year, teaching assistants should have received anywhere from $500 to $700 in back pay on their checks, depending on how many hours they worked.
University officials declined comment on the decision but said in a written statement that officials took note of the pay-level issue, and a resolution has yet to be made.
Although the arbitration has already ruled in favor of the union, no decision has been made about whether teaching assistants will receive more money. The union and university officials have until a Sept. 26 deadline to work out a pay resolution before the matter heads back to arbitration.
MSU and its teaching assistants have had disputes in the past. In April 2002, the union went on strike while trying to negotiate a contract.
Woodhead said the university is trying to use "delaying tactics" and the matter only went to arbitration because the university hoped it might not have to pay teaching assistants back. Woodhead said he is disappointed by the university trying to keep money from teaching assistants.
"This is a drop in the ocean for the university, even in a budget crunch," Woodhead said.
Henkel said he hoped the process wouldn't have to go back to arbitration.
"I honestly hope GEU and MSU can work out these details," Henkel said. "As with any negotiation, no side gets exactly what they want. It would be good if we can all earn what we deserve."
