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HR Proposes Effective Wage Cut, Rejects Almost All Grad Workers’ Proposals
Over 250 workers participated in bargaining on Friday in anticipation of HR’s counter on our demand for a living wage. Since 2020, the gap between our salary and the local cost of living has tripled to over $14.5k. In November, grad workers proposed that the University pay us a living wage of $38,500. Three months later, HR has responded with a proposal for an annual 2% raise for each year of the contract (2023-2026).
“If they’re saying our demand for a raise is ludicrous, it’s only because what we’re getting paid now is ludicrous.”
– Madeleine, History of Art
Given the high levels of inflation, a 2% raise each year is actually a pay cut. Compare this with the 7.7% raise Provost McCauley got last year (Salary: $547,892). Meanwhile, GSI labor generates at least $200 million in surplus for U-M annually. Paying us a living wage would cost a fraction of that, about $33 million. Although HR claims to understand the problems grads are facing, they again flatly rejected most of our proposals without putting forward any proposals of their own. HR has gone so far as to take away hard-won contract provisions, including DEI GSSAs and pay parity for GSIs in Dearborn. The University has rejected almost our entire platform.
“2% is milk numbers, not raise numbers.”
– Isaac, Chemistry
TAKE ACTION: Week of Grad Labor Visibility
It’s time to show the University that we’re serious about our demands. Take action by participating in the Week of Grad Labor Visibility, Feb 6-10! Let’s make the value we create for the University visible. Check out bit.ly/GEOGradWeek.
We are worth more than 2%!
GEO Proposal | U-M Counter |
A living wage of $38.5k | Effective pay cut |
Payments 4 Placements | Rejected |
Premium-free dental II & vision | Rejected |
Eliminate copays for mental health and chronic conditions | Rejected |
Reasonable trans healthcare capacity | Rejected |
Use up-to-date trans healthcare standards | Rejected |
Emergency healthcare fund | Rejected |
Affordable & accessible childcare | Rejected |
Reproductive health fund | Rejected |
Reimburse immigration fees | Rejected |
IGSI emergency fund | Rejected |
Simpler GSI application process | Rejected |
Class size cap | Rejected |
Accessible accommodations | Rejected |
Transitional funding for victims of abuse | Rejected |
GSSAs for DEI, public safety, and Disability Cultural Center | Rejected |
GSI can require masks in class | Rejected |
Remove discriminatory felony disclosure requirement | Rejected |
Unarmed, non-police crisis response | Rejected |
Immigration protections | Rejected |
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