The Michigan Daily

After failing to reach a new contract agreement with the University earlier this week, hundreds of GSIs took to the picket lines outside of major campus buildings yesterday, canceling many classes and forcing some professors to find alternate ways to teach their courses.

That contract was reached late last night, meaning the walkout will not continue today.

GEO, the union representing the University's 1,700 GSIs, has been locked in contentious bargaining with the University since November. GEO's twice-extended contract expired on Tuesday morning at midnight, after the University's negotiating team walked away from the table, leading the group to stage the walkout.

Starting as early as 5 a.m. yesterday at some University construction sites, GSIs marched in circles outside campus buildings like Angell Hall, the C.C. Little Science Building and the Chemistry Building.

GEO Vice President Kiara Vigil, an American Culture GSI, said the walkout showed the University that the union wasn't willing to settle for a contract that didn't meet certain criteria.

"We're showing the University that we're not happy," Vigil said. "But that we're willing to bargain."

University spokeswoman Kelly Cunningham said the University was disappointed in GEO for walking out.

"We feel it wasn't necessary for the union to achieve their goals," she said. "We've been bargaining in good faith."

By creating a picket line at construction sites yesterday morning, GEO members were able to shut down construction projects at Michigan Stadium and the Ross School of Business for the day. Construction workers at those locations agreed not to work in a show of solidarity for their fellow unionized workers.

Cunningham said that University administrators had hoped the work stoppage by GSIs wouldn't affect the construction progress.

"It was disappointing for the workers who didn't cross the picket line," she said. "But it was just one day of work, and we will be able to make up the time."

Yesterday, GEO officials received a call from the University's bargaining team saying it was ready to return to the negotiating table. They resumed bargaining at 2:30 p.m.

Cunningham said the two sides returning to the table was "absolutely a great sign."

"We are ready and willing to get something done," she said.

A large blue sign reading "Undergrads are for G.E.O." hung from the façade of Angell Hall.

According to signup sheets, about 660 GSIs pledged to join the picket lines. GEO's walkout headquarters were stationed at Café Ambrosia on Maynard Street.

Picketers chanted slogans about fair wages and held signs with messages like, "Our working conditions are your learning conditions. Respect the line." Others read, "Why's it so hard to invest in students, But so easy to invest in football," and "What's better than apple pie? A healthy GSI!"

Vigil said she hopes the walkout will help the University notice that "if we say we'll do something, we'll do it."

When asked if the University was doing anything in particular to try and avoid the second day of the walkout, Cunningham said the University's negotiating team was "just going to continue to bargain and work toward an agreement that's a win-win for everybody."

While many students took the day off, others crossed the picket lines and attended classes yesterday, despite the GEO's request for solidarity.

LSA junior Jenny Armstrong was one of those students, attending her history seminar at noon yesterday.

"Since it's a seminar, I might as well go for the brownie points," Armstrong said.

While one of her lectures was cancelled, Armstrong said she also planned on going to a minicourse lecture later in the day.

"I support the GSIs," she said. "I just play by the rules."

Other professors chose to cancel their classes in support of GEO. Some professors held classes at off-site locations so students and professors wouldn't have to cross the picket lines. Some held classes in neutral sites like the Michigan Union, while others held informal discussion sections at local restaurants like Amer's Café.

- Charles Gregg-Geist contributed to this report.

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