Update: Anti-union bills rammed through MI house and senate–next steps

Here’s what happened: Yesterday, the Michigan House and Senate rammed through bills that would cripple collective bargaining in this state and drive down workers’ wages and benefits, despite the fact that the state is already spending more than $6 billion a year on incentive programs for corporations according to a recent report by the New York Times. These bills affect private and public sector workers, and that means us. Moreover, these bills were brought up behind closed doors after the public was locked out of the capitol. Is this a fair way to pass a law that affects everyone’s working conditions?

Here’s what it means: If these bills are signed by the Governor, it will mean that our healthcare, our raises, and our working conditions will be at stake. After similar laws were passed in Wisconsin in 2011, grad employees at the University of Wisconsin lost their zero premium healthcare the very next year. Why? Because these laws are designed to limit our power at the bargaining table. We stand to lose all that GEO has fought for over the past 40 years if the current legislature succeeds in its efforts to undercut collective bargaining rights in our state.

BUT–even if they succeed and these bills become law, GEO will continue to fight for fair treatment and compensation for all GSIs and GSSAs. Our power comes from our members–that’s all of us, in every college and every department, working together to ensure that the administration recognizes the vital role we play in making the University of Michigan a world-renowned institution.

There have been many crises and many urgent calls for action in the last two years, but none is more urgent than this. PLEASE PLAN TO TAKE ACTION NOW!

Here’s what we can do:
–Plan to come to Lansing on Tuesday (Dec. 11), when the first of these bills is likely to hit the Governor’s desk. We will have carpools leaving GEO at 8am and noon, and possibly a bus at a time TBA. There will be thousands of union members and allies coming together from around the midwest to stand up for collective bargaining rights and decent jobs in Michigan. Sign up here to let us know when you’ll be needing a ride.
–Can’t come on Tuesday? Plan to do one of these things and sign up here so we can coordinate:

• Come to the GEO office to do data entry for future actions. We’ve got a lot of information from the recent election that has yet to be logged in our database.
• Help out someone who is coming on Tuesday. Can you cover a class? Help grade? Feed their cats? Every effort counts.
• Contact your steward to let them know you are supportive and want to be involved going forward in the coming semester.
• Like GEO on Facebook to get updates about what is happening, and get ready to fight for our next contract.

Now more than ever, we are GEO.