Every three years, the Graduate Employees’ Organization renegotiates its contract with the University of Michigan. The past two of these bargaining sessions have ended in strikes, and it appears that Micki Czerniak, state-appointed mediator for negotiations between the University and GEO, may help incite a third one. On Feb. 12, Czerniak paused all contract negotiations between GEO and the University for 28 days, citing what she deemed inappropriate tactics from the union’s representatives.
While GEO shares some of the fault for the paused negotiations, this Editorial Board believes that Czerniak’s justifications for suspending negotiations are, in short, baseless. In response, GEO must continue to advocate for fair working conditions, especially realistic protections from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
This Editorial Board took a closer look at Czerniak’s letter. Here are the most notable points…