8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS LABOR JOSHUA LEE Groundcover contributor On August 25, the University of Michigan and the Graduate Employees’ Organization reached a breakthrough agreement, ending a nearly five-month strike. This pivotal development won substantial pay raises for graduate student instructors and staff assistants, accompanied by a range of additional benefits. The labor strike, which began in late March, was a dispute that not only disrupted the U-M campus but also led to legal proceedings. Few strikes ever go through the full range of procedures. Representing approximately 2,300 graduate student instructors and staff assistants across U-M’s three campuses, GEO spearheaded this ongoing battle, championing improved compensation and benefits. Members of GEO deliberated during a mass meeting on August 21 and ultimately authorized their bargaining team to pursue a tentative agreement with the university. The union conducted a ratification vote on August 24 which had 97% approval. This accord spells the end of a highly charged strike, fostering a return to normalcy for both the U-M undergraduate community and the parties directly involved. The protracted strike led to a series of disruptions, including professors stepping in to undertake grading tasks typically handled by graduate students. Legally, the university sought a court order compelling striking workers back to their posts, a request that was ultimately denied. Union leaders voiced concerns about the university's handling of student grades during the strike, prompting an inquiry by the accrediting body, the Higher Learning Commission. Despite these challenges, the union's persistence and the university's engagement in negotiations have paved the way for this historic agreement. The university’s proposal, its "last, best and final offer," encompasses an eight percent raise in the first year of the contract, complemented by successive six percent raises in the second and third years. Targeting graduate student instructors and staff assistants stationed at U-M’s Ann Arbor campus, this proposition acknowledges the pivotal role these individuals play in the university's operations — ranging from grading assignments and exams to leading classes and contributing to diverse university initiatives. However, this journey through negotiations has not been without its challenges. GEO began its campaign with the fact that the skyrocketing inflation in the past years had put its members salaries 60% below the estimated cost of living for Ann Arbor. This is why the union initially advocated for a substantial 60 percent raise in the first year of the three-year contract. While the agreement does not meet this demand fully, a de facto 60 percent raise will be realized for many graduate workers due to a separate graduate funding plan, aka Rackham Plan, pushed forward by U-M this Spring as a union-breaking strategy. This plan, designed to ensure summer funding for Ph.D. students, is set to remain intact. The strategic combination of these initiatives, according to GEO spokesperson and doctoral political science candidate, Amir Fleischmann, yields a substantial raise for most Ph.D. students in the contract's initial year. SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 GEO wins historic contract after five month strike Fleischmann further suggests that incoming Ph.D. students could experience a remarkable 80 percent raise by the conclusion of the contract, compared to their earnings in the previous contract cycle. Beyond the salary, this resolution introduces essential safeguards for graduate student instructors and staff assistants. For example, the settlement includes a transitional funding program aimed at shielding workers from harassment and potential threats. This three-year pilot initiative will provide funding for up to a semester, allowing students to transition out of situations involving abusive or discriminatory relationships with their supervisors or colleagues. Furthermore, enhancements in mental and physical therapy copays, in conjunction with the expansion of gender-affirming benefits, underscore the university's commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all stakeholders. In a statement, GEO lead negotiator Evelyn Smith highlighted the historic see GEO page 11 Timeless time When I learned these two words I began to understand the seamless nature of past, present and future. I learned that the first Karmapa, head of the Karma Kagyu lineage, was called Düsum Khyenpa, translated as “knower of the three times” by virtue of his enlightenment experience in timeless time. This lineage is now held by the 17th Karmapa. Obstacles arrive at every stage of the path in life and it’s good to work with whoever is available and helpful for your current situation. This may be a lifetime teacher or one of many. Your intention to realize the truth of reality is decisive, and cultivating that intention into experience and abilities is the goal. There is always work to be done. Our ancestors point the way and all lineage holders carry that responsibility. Thrangu Rinpoche, who died in 2023, was an amazing teacher and writer. He was an important tutor to Ogyen Trinley Dorje who is a successor to the 16th Karmapa. Timeless time brings the three times into a seamless whole. I have been accused of being “stuck in the past” and have been told to forget the past. My first response is “detach from the past, honor and learn from the past.” I do not know how much I am submit to survival demands and forget to thrive, that is to live from the heart. We are surrounded by the bountiful fruit of the earth yet often live with a scarcity mentality. Every indigenous heritage focuses on the sacred nature and generosity of the earth. Gratitude and contentment follow. It is a common practice in all comKEN PARKS Groundcover vendor No. 490 munities with a heartfelt relationship to reality to call upon our ancestors to help live a balanced and engaged life. stuck in the past but I certainly do not have a stable realization of timeless time that brings the seamless nature of the three times into clarity, yet I dare to explore this truth as I understand it. I have mentioned awareness of the breath in many articles and still believe that one natural breath is more precious than all the words that could be written about awareness of this moment. Mindfulness can be a buzzword for compliance with social norms. Mindfulness and awareness have many levels. Gabor Mate has written “The Myth of Normal” to help us in our healing. Authenticity is precious and elusive because of habitual ego-clinging. Most of us forget who we really are as we “Cesar Chavez presente” was said three times in the many events that celebrated his contribution to our shared life. This exercise that some would say is kin to a seance put many of us in touch with the great commons, the all good expanse of primordial purity. If you focus on the present as a measurement, you will only find nano moments that disappear the present. Born from the past and immediately giving birth to the future, this moment is best experienced as the essence of the four times — past, present, future and timeless time — which are seamless in the unity of stillness and motion. The unity of opposites is the key to experience the play of reality and enter the game of life with some confidence. If you are in Santa Clara, Cuba, visit the memorial to Che Guevara and get a taste of the four times. Remember Fidel’s words that Che did not die, because they met in dreams and talked. The famous photo of Che by Korda is timeless. In my opinion any experience is worthy as we learn more about who we are, as individuals and as a people. I hope you meditated on “The People are the Power” in the previous edition of Groundcover. Any event is best understood with awareness of the four times. Take Labor Day as an example. We have yet to fully honor labor and get another chance as the number of strikes grows to a larger section of the working class. As a thought experiment, consider this year’s Labor Day with “timeless time” in mind. Contrast the long history that goes back to May Day as International Workers Day with the current focus on the Detroit Jazz Festival. Experience this historical moment deeply and tune in to the power of your labor and a fitting social connection to the emancipation of labor. May we become creatively productive and complete what needs to be done. The future begins now. The International Day of Peace is coming September 21. Meet you on the commons! Check out annarborcommunitycommons.org.
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