AFT Michigan is holding its 70th Convention this weekend (May 2-3) at the Sheraton Hotel (formerly the Hotel Ponchatrain) in Detroit. Among those LEO members expected to attend as delegates are Jim Anderson, George Moss and Alta Parsons (Flint); Catherine Daligga and Ian Robinson (Ann Arbor); and Sheryl Edwards (Dearborn).
Citing progress in talks between striking workers and American Axle, the UAW has called off tomorrow’s planned rally in Detroit.
UAW members and supporters will rally at 11:30 am on April 18 at Detroit’s Hart Plaza to support striking workers at American Axle. More than 3,500 UAW members from UAW Locals 235, 262 and 2093 in Michigan and UAW Locals 424 and 826 in New York have been on strike since Feb. 26 to protest unfair labor practices.
For more information on the rally, click here.
For more information on the strike, click here.
From the GEO website:
Dear GEO members and supporters,
Due to our successful walkout today, which shut down activity across campus, the Administration asked to reenter bargaining this afternoon in the interest of avoiding a second day. Following a marathon session of negotiating, at 11:42pm Tuesday night we reached a tentative agreement on a new contract . . . .
Way to go, GEO!
Members of the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO) began picketing across campus early this morning. The strike was called after the union and the administration failed to reach an agreement on a new contract for the 1,700 members of the GEO bargaining unit.
Lecturers’ Employee Organization President Bonnie Halloran, in a message to LEO members, noted that the striking employees “are not just our colleagues; they are our brothers and sisters in the AFT and the AFL-CIO. We support their legitimate concerns for dignity, financial security and fair treatment.”
GEO and LEO have a history of strong reciprocal solidarity and close cooperation. The two locals even share office space in downtown Ann Arbor.
LEO volunteers have joined their GEO colleagues on the picket lines. However, because of the No Strike clause in its contract, LEO cannot and does not encourage its members to refuse to fulfill their professional responsibilities. “But,” Halloran says, “no LEO member need agree to add work to their existing course load nor agree to fill in for an absent employee.”
LEO has secured space in several non-university facilities in town to accommodate class meetings of lecturers who have made the individual decision not to cross GEO picket lines. Some space may still be available. For information, call 995-1813.
News coverage of the strike:
“Don’t cross the picket lines” — Michigan Daily
“Negotiations fail, GEO set for walkout” — Michigan Daily
“U-M braces for TA strike” — Detroit Free Press
LEO Members:
If any of you have a child who is a graduating high school senior, check out this AFT scholarship. Or if your child is a junior, look into it for next year.
In Solidarity,
Bonnie Halloran
LEO President
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Robert G. Porter Scholars Program. This AFT scholars program has two purposes: to encourage members in good standing to learn more about labor or further their own career, and to support members’ dependents. It offers a one-time grant of $1,000 to an AFT member in good standing who is pursuing courses in their field of work. There is also a four-year $8,000 Post secondary Scholarship for an AFT member’s dependent who is a graduating high school senior. The program is now accepting applications for 2008 and all applications must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2008. The application and more information can be found at
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