KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Western Michigan University students, faculty, and staff plan to assemble on Monday, April 4, in support of graduating teaching assistants as they negotiate a new contract.
According to the release issued by the Teaching Assistants Union on Thursday, March 31, negotiations for the Teaching Assistants Union contract have been ongoing, and Monday’s planned event follows months of concerns raised by the TAU and other unions on campus regarding and apparent shift in values on the part of WMU’s administration and Board of Trustees.
Thomas Fisher, who serves as President of the Teaching Assistants Union, represents over 450 graduate teaching assistants at the university. In the release, he said quote, “We want to show our hardworking bargaining team members that they have the support of their colleagues and community as we enter our next bargaining session,” end quote.
“We are not experiencing a financial crisis. We are experiencing a values crisis,” said Fisher at the December Board of Trustees Meeting in anticipation of a vote to grant President Montgomery a $75k merit bonus.
In addition to increased pay, the TAU hopes to see some changes in contract language that reflect greater respect for the work that teaching assistants do.
“At times, WMU administrators say all of the right things. It’s time that their actions align with their words,” Fisher said.
The Bargaining Team Support Rally is planned for Monday, April 4, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in front of the Fetzer Center.
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