After seeing no movement by the university toward a compromise in contract negotiations, members of the Graduate Employees Union took to the streets on Monday wearing sandwich boards with slogans such as "MSU Bargaining Skills: F-"

The union, or GEU, protects the labor rights of teaching assistants. Members have been negotiating with the university for a new contract since October. The current contract expires May 15.

GEU members are asking for an increase in wages and expanded health care, which the university has not agreed to.

The university seems unwilling to compromise, said Deb Wilson, GEU president.

"There hasn't been any movement at the table," Wilson said. "We've been meeting with them, but there's been no movement."

The university and GEU exchanged proposals and are now in the process of discussing those proposals, said Pamela Beemer, assistant vice president of Human Resources.

"GEU presented a list of issues that are important to them and the university is seriously considering and exploring those options - relative to cost and other important considerations," Beemer said. "The negotiation is that each side considers the proposals and then carries discussion to a successful agreement."

The members lined Grand River Avenue and encouraged passing cars to "beep for a fair contract."

"We're trying to raise public awareness and support," Wilson said. "We're asking people to contact the administration and let them know they support a fair contract for their (teaching assistants)."

Monday's assembly is the beginning of what GEU members are calling an "intensive campaign for a fair contract." On Wednesday, members will meet to discuss the platform for a strike.

GEU members held a strike three years ago to create their first contract. That contract included wage increases for three years.

"It is up to our membership to decide if we strike," Wilson said. "We will decide what issues are so important to us that we would be willing to strike over them. There are several issues that we will tell the administration these are key issues we need and we aren't going to budge on them."

The bargaining meetings will help each side reach agreement, Beemer said.

"I believe discussion and the negotiation process are most important to reaching a settlement," Beemer said.

One issue important to many GEU members is health care. The bargaining team is asking the university to cover family planning and dental care.

"I am very concerned about health care issues," said GEU member Diane Saylor, who wore a board that read, "Pregnancy is not a pre-existing condition." The sign referred to the fact that family planning is not included in their current health care package.

"I was diagnosed with cancer five weeks into the winter - if I were to rely on the coverage they gave, I would be in very bad shape."