Graduate student employees at the University of Michigan went on strike today [TUES] over the university’s COVID-19 reopening plans.
Despite heavy rain in the morning, organizers with the Graduate Employees' Organization marched and chanted on U of M’s campus.
Kathleen Brown is a graduate student instructor in American Culture and a member of the GEO.
She says U of M has not been responsive to the GEO’s attempts to communicate its concerns. For example, graduate student instructors want to be able to work remotely. And they want better representation in the decision-making processes around health issues.
You know, these are big demands, and we’re starting from zero. After months, we really don’t know what to expect.
In a statement, a U of M spokesman says communications between the union and the university continue.