From the Michigan Daily
By Jeremy Berkowitz
November 26, 2003
In a bittersweet, emotional moment for graduate students instructors, the Graduate Employees Organization overwhelmingly voted last night to settle an issue with the University over health care premiums. Under the deal, about 90 percent of GSIs will now pay the same rates they paid before.
Due to a twofold increase in health care expenditures over the past decade, Provost Paul Courant decided in April that all University employees, including GSIs, would pay 5 percent of insurance premiums for 2004. GEO filed a grievance last month, citing contract violations. After threats of a grade strike or walkout, both sides finalized an agreement yesterday, which allows the choice of using one health care option with stable premiums.
The plan, GradCare, is used by the vast majority of graduate students, according to GEO President David Dobbie. The agreement, which GEO members approved by a margin of 115-3 last night, keeps GradCare monthly premiums free for all GSIs with one or no dependents, and keep premiums at $20 for those with two or more dependents.
About 10 percent of GSIs have two or more dependents, GEO said.
While GEO members seemed happy that one plan was kept free, some said they wish they could have succeeded with all the insurance plans GSIs are being offered.
“We shouldn’t be happy with this offer, but we should take it,†Dobbie said, adding that it was a good deal for GSIs. “I think this is the pragmatic choice for this union to make.â€
University spokeswoman Julie Peterson said she was very happy that both sides came to an agreement.
“This settlement is really good for both our students and our University,†Peterson said, noting the rising expenditures for the University.
Last Thursday, GEO decided by a vote of 195-15 not to strike and to return to the bargaining table with the University. Yesterday afternoon, both sides managed to work out the final deal.
The University will give the GSIs that do not use GradCare two weeks starting Monday to switch over from their other plan if they so desire.
The final clause of the agreement said this deal should not be viewed as a precedent for either side in regard to future negotiations, especially since GEO’s current contract expires Feb. 1, 2005.
Peterson said she could not speculate what would have happened if GEO rejected the agreement. But Dobbie acknowledged that he was worried about the possibility of further negotiations, or worst, a strike.
“The risks associated with pushing that kind of strategy outweigh what we can get,†Dobbie said.
“I think that it’s a reasonable process considering all the University is going through (financially),†history GSI Andrew Goss said.
Geological sciences GSI Erika Carter also said she was pleased with the outcome, although she is a little worried about her colleagues who might need to take a plan beside GradCare for other reasons.
“It’s not the best deal for all of our members,†Carter said. “(But) I’m glad we made the decision that we did.â€
But several GSIs noted that the prominent reasons for choosing another plan were settled by the agreement, including a new clause in GradCare, which covers maternity leave for GSIs outside Ann Arbor at the time of their child’s birth.
Without a full victory, members raised concerns at the meeting that the agreement would put them in a weak position in next year’s contract negotiations. But there was a consensus among most people that if GEO rallied and stood together next year like they did in the last few weeks, contract talks should go relatively smoothly.
“I don’t think this sets a precedent,†Goss said.
Dobbie added that GEO needs to work hard during the next year to come in with a strong platform once negotiations start.
Note: Details of the settlement, as well as clarifications about GradCare coverage will be posted on the site soon.
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