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GEO, 'U' agree to mediation of contract dispute

After a six-month battle with the University administration, members of the Graduate Employees Organization and the University agreed to mediation regarding the union's contract yesterday, officials from both sides said.

"The idea was suggested by GEO," said GEO spokesperson Peter Church. "A mediator is appointed by both sides of the parties in conflict. They try to find the bottom-line arguments and resolve them."

The University and GEO have been negotiating a new contract since Oct. 31, with the original deadline to sign the contract Feb. 1. However, that deadline has been extended four times, and now the mediation process is set to begin on April 10.

GEO President Scott Dexter said the organization may still strike, depending on the outcome of the process. "It all depends on what comes out of mediation," Dexter said. "It is difficult to go to our members and ask them to ratify a contract that does not represent our concerns. We have to fight for it."

Both sides have agreed to an order of two days for mediation, which can be extended if no resolution is reached.

However, members of GEO would like to reach an agreement by April 1, the latest date of contract extensions, Dexter said. Then mediation, set to begin April 10, would not be needed.

"We always knew that mediation was a possibility," Dexter said. "It would be great if we could get it done by April 1 and then we can cancel the need for mediation."

This will mark the third time the two groups have undergone mediation since GEO's creation. The last two contracts have been products of third-party intervention.

The University and GEO have reached agreement on approximately 15 of the 37 proposals of the contract, said University chief negotiator Dan Gamble.

"We still have quite a few proposals left," Gamble said. "I am very hopeful of the additional help the mediator can give us. A third party can see avenues of agreement that the parties involved cannot."

The appointed mediator is Charles Jamerison of the Michigan Employment Relations Commission, who handled the last contract mediation process between the University and GEO.

However, Jamerison's decision is not a binding one -- it is merely a suggestion for the two parties.

"His job is to create a contract that he assumes both parties are willing to sign," Church said. "We are confident that mediation will make the issues that we face a bit clearer."

Dexter expressed the benefits an unbiased party can bring to GEO's situation.

"An unbiased mediator can see our views and put pressure on the University to accept our proposals," Dexter said. "What we have can be very compelling."

Both parties are optimistic; however, GEO members are still concerned with their economic proposals.

"We want the University to consent to the salary proposals, and the proposal regarding international graduate student instructors," Church said.

International GSIs are currently required to attend a three-week training period during which they are not paid or given housing or health benefits.

"It places an unnecessary burden upon them, and adds to their stress," said Church. "International GSIs comprise 25 percent of GEO's membership, and we are all behind them."