The University of Michigan will have the opportunity to present its case in Washtenaw County Circuit Court that the ongoing Graduate Employees’ Organization strike has caused “irreparable harm” to the institution.
In an April 4 ruling, Circuit Judge Carol Kuhnke ordered an evidentiary hearing to begin at 5 p.m. April 10.
Kuhnke declined to issue an emergency temporary restraining order that would have immediately halted the strike among the union’s nearly 2,300 graduate student instructors and graduate student staff assistants.
University spokesperson Rick Fitzgerald said the university remains hopeful that the two parties will continue to make progress at the bargaining table but will be prepared to share evidence in court next week.
“The ongoing strike violates the law, defies the terms of the current contract and has created unnecessary disruption for our students,” Fitzgerald said. “Our top priority continues to be carrying out the critical educational mission of this university.”
U-M filed its complaint in circuit court March 30 alleging breach of contract by the union for striking despite its agreement not to do so while the current contract is in effect. GEO went on strike March 29, about four weeks before its contract with U-M is set to expire May 1.
U-M is seeking an injunction ordering the striking workers to return to work.
“At issue today was whether graduate workers are causing irreparable harm to the university. The outcome, however, shows that university did...
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