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GEO members poised to strike; `U' concerned

GEO spokesperson Peter Church announced the results of last week's strike authorization vote Friday. Fifty-two percent of GEO's 1,200-body membership sent in ballots, he said.

Church said 81 percent of 542 voting members favored a strike if bargaining fails.

Steering committee members are unsure if the union will actually strike, Church said.

"We took a vote, and our membership showed commitment," Church said. "(GEO's striking) depends on what the University is willing to move on at the table, but we do have a mandate from the membership."

Still, no plans for a strike are in place. The University and GEO extended bargaining talks, which expired Feb. 23, until March 1.

University chief negotiator Dan Gamble expressed concern about a strike, which he said would violate the current contract and state law.

"I sincerely hope they don't strike," Gamble said. "It would have a negative impact on undergraduates.

"Also, it would be against state law, which is against public employees striking because public employees do things for the public," he said.

Church said the University and GEO might interpret the law and its effectiveness differently.

"The question of whether we'll strike is not based on technicalities of Michigan law but signing a fair contract," Church said.

Students also expressed concern over the possibility of a strike.

"It would be horrible," said LSA first-year student Kari Tait. "I know all my classes depend on (graduate student instructors). I didn't even know they had a union."

Sonya Vasquez, a master's student in the School of Social Work, said she was annoyed by GEO because the master's program did not offer graduate teaching positions.

"I pay for my tuition, but the majority of them get their tuition paid," Vasquez said. "I think people who aren't in (GEO) scoff at them because whatever they do will benefit them and not the rest of the University."