The Graduate Employees’ Organization at the University of Michigan has opted to continue their strike, at least until this Friday.
The GEOwants the university to cut campus police funding by 50% and to end its relationship with the Ann Arbor Police Department. Dan Delmonaco is the head steward of the GEO and says they want the university to replace policing with a greater emphasis on asymptomatic testing on campus to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Delmonaco believes the GEO has leverage when asking the university to make changes to its police operations.
Dan Delmonaco: The university would say no, we do not, but we bet we do. Because, it’s part of what we can bargain for and demand, safer workplace.
In a statement, the university says profound disruption to education promised to students can’t continue. University administrators will also ask a court to require GEO members to return to work. It’s considered illegal for the union to strike.
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— Jorge Avellan is a reporter for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him javellan@emich.edu
