LEO Union Council Statement on a Potential GEO Strike

From an email sent to the LEO and LEO-GLAM bargaining units on 03/09/23 & 03/13/23 respectively

One of many Zoom backgrounds in support of GEO’s bargaining platform.

As you may know, our union siblings in the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO, AFT-MI Local 3550) have been bargaining with the university administration since November 17th. Although modest progress is now being made, the parties remain far apart. Although we of course hope that a settlement can be reached that meets the needs of GEO members, it is quite possible that there will be a strike sometime this semester. To this end we wanted to provide the following information in case GEO does strike:

Will LEO strike if GEO strikes?

As a Union, we are bound by our no strike clause. That means as a Union we cannot engage in a work stoppage without serious consideration. To do so, we would have to conduct a strike authorization vote among all members, giving the Union Council the authority to call a strike. It is highly unlikely that this will happen.

If LEO does not strike and GEO does, does that mean I have to cross picket lines to go to work?

Not necessarily. As an individual, you should follow your own conscience and do what you believe is right for you and your students. As a Union, LEO believes strongly in solidarity with other unions and supporting other unions in their bargaining demands, as they have supported us.

What should I do if I am asked to pick up GSI work?

We strongly recommend you don’t, as taking on struck labor is scabbing. We know departments are already asking tenure-track faculty and lecturers to agree to cover GSI classes. However, it seems to us that most lecturers are far too busy with their own classes to take on additional work, and you can certainly tell your supervisor that.

That said, it is possible, although highly unlikely, that a supervisor will attempt to force you to take on GSI work. If so, again, refuse firmly but politely. If they persist, contact your Union for further guidance.

If you do decide to take on GSI work, you must be paid. See Article XXX of our contract.

In addition, GEO is asking that we strongly urge our members not to penalize any striking GSIs under their supervision. We are happy to pass on this request; striking for better working conditions is a human right that we take very seriously.

Won’t a strike harm the students?

Yes, of course there is short-term learning loss by having classes canceled. No strike is without cost, or else it would have no effect! That being said, if a strike helps GEO meet its bargaining demands and creates a better campus for graduate workers and the larger community, that helps us all in the longer term.

How can I support GEO?

1. First, familiarize yourself with the main points of the GEO bargaining platform.
2. Sign and circulate the open letter: https://bit.ly/SupportGEO.
3. Join them during open bargaining on March 24: https://bit.ly/bargsesh_allies.
4. Use a GEO zoom background to show your support.
5. Sign and circulate GEO's pledge to refuse to take GSI work during a strike: https://bit.ly/GEOHoldTheLine.

LEO leaders, in concert with our SPACE Committee, are organizing a LEO Town Hall on GEO Bargaining on March 22nd at 7pm on Zoom: Register here. This will be an internal discussion where LEO members can ask questions, raise any concerns, and share ideas for helping GEO reach a successful agreement.

In Solidarity,
LEO's Union Council

Kirsten Herold, President
Eric Beuerlein, Vice-President
Stevens Wandmacher, Secretary
Mark Radosevich, Treasurer
Mohamed Daassa, Flint Chair
Cindee Giffen, Ann Arbor Co-Chair
Nora Krinitsky, Ann Arbor Co-Chair
Meredith Kahn, GLAM Chair
Margaret Mikula, Dearborn Chair