Sept. 18, 2020
The Graduate Employees’ Organization, the labor union representing about 2,000 graduate student instructors and graduate student staff assistants across the University of Michigan’s three campuses, voted Sept. 16 to ends its strike. GEO members returned to work Sept. 17. The vote ended a strike that began Sept. 8, following weeks of discussions with university officials over a wide range of issues, some of which related to U-M’s plans for a mostly remote and hybrid fall semester prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Other issues were unrelated to the employment status of union members.
Outline of U-M proposal to GEO – Sept. 22
University Record: GEO votes to accept university’s offer; end strike – Sept. 17
Complaint against GEO – Sept. 14
Motion for preliminary injunction – Sept. 14
University Record: U-M asks court to require that GEO members return to work – Sept. 14
Updates regarding the GEO discussions – Sept. 10
University Record: GEO rejects proposal; U-M add detail about its position – Sept. 10
University files unfair labor practice charges – Sept. 8
University Record: GEO votes to strike; U-M says it violates contract, state law – Sept. 7
Letter to graduate students – Sept. 7
Letter to undergraduate students – Sept. 7
