Page 10-Wednesday, October 18, 1978-The Michigan Daily U', interns to begin mediation By SHELLEY WOLSON A mediator appointed by the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) will meet with negotiators from the House Officers Association (HOA) and the University today in an attempt to resolve an impasse in con- tract negotiations. HOA repres'ents approximately 600 interns and residents at the University Hospital. THE PREVIOUS one-year contract expired Aug. 31 but was extended for three weeks while bargaining con- tinued. HOA members voted Sept. 21 to terminate the old contnact and later made a commitment to withhold ser- vice if the University did not respond to their demands. Meanwhile, interns and residents have continued to work at University Hospital without a contract. HOA president Harry Colfer said he does not know what to expect at tonight's meeting. "I don't think our side will be coming out with anything new and I'm pretty sure the University will stick to their origiqal position," he said. COLFER EXPLAINED that HOA's problems with the University stem from the University's attitude towards the organization. "They regard us as a union just bargaining for wages and benefits-they don't see us as a professional organization," he said. "They basically take the position that they're management and they want to maintain management perogative. They don't see the need for patient-care related issues." Colfer said HOA has always had dif- ficutlies negotiating and has had problems mustering members' sup- port. "But this year we have a lot more support than we've had in the past," he noted. "Officers gave us the impression that they were interested and we had over 200 people at our meetings. In our experience, that's a good turnout." Colfer stressed that the HOA would like to see the University provide ad- ditional services to patients and im- prove present services. He also claims that the Unviersity does not want to be in a bargaining position. "They've been leery of getting themselves committed to anything they don't know the cost or effects of. Their position, though, is somewhat under- standable." Stats show recession unlikely WASHINGTON (AP)-Despite high interest rates and inflation, the nation's economy continues to perform at a pace that makes a recession unlikely in the immediate future, the latest gover- nment statistics showed yesterday. The government said output of the nation's industries rose by a solid 0.5 per cent in September, the same as in August, and was 6.5 per cent ahead of a year earlier. Output advanced 0.7 per cent in both June and July. SINCE INDUSTRY is already producing at near capacity, the Sep- tember production report was a sign the economy is continuing to grow at the moderate rate the Carter ad- ministration now considers desirable, about 3.5 per cent a year. The Federal Reserve Board said production rose during the month for business equipment, construction sup- plies, and materials, although the tran- sportation problems caused by the railroad strike forced a cutback in auto output. Some slowing in economic growth from the more rapid rates earlier in the year is considered necessary by the administration to help restrain in- flation. But it is trying to apply the brakes gently enough to keep from, pushing the economy into a recession. YESTERDAY'S figures seem to in- dicate the strategy is working. Not only, is production continuing to expand, but business and retail sales activity, homebuilding and auto production remain at satisfactory levels. However, the latest economic statistics cover the period before the most recent round of interest rate hikes, which have pushed the stock market into a tailspin. The Federal Reserve Board in- creased its key discount rate Friday to a record 8.5 per cent; and banks raised their minimum lending rates to 10 per cent last week. SOME ECONOMISTS and business leaders say the steady increase in in- terest rates could make consumer and business borrowing so expensive that it could bring business activity to a near- halt, causing a recession sometime next year. But with production high, sales up and business inventories generally low, such an outcome is unlikely for the next few months at least. The Federal Reserve Board said in- dustrial production in the July through September quarter expanded at an an- nual rate of 7.7 per cent. The increase in industrial production in September occurred despite a fall in auto output which contriubted to an 0.7 per cent decline in production of durable consumer goods, which are. goods with a life of more than three years. Production of durable home goods did increase, however. Auto assemblies fell to an annual rate of 8.9 million units from the August rate of 9.4 million units. The board said output of non-durable consumer goods rose 0.3 per cent in September. Output of business equip- ment rose 0.6 per cent and was 9.3 per cent above a year earlier. SEN. ROBERT GRIFFIN (R-Mi.) stopped by the Michigan Daily yesterday for an interview as part of his re-election bid for a third term. Sen. Griffin opposes a conference exploring Sexual Orientation sponsored by Office of Student Programs Human Sexuality Office a weekend of workshops, concerts, films workshops: Michigan Union 9 AM-S PM Friday, Oct. 20-Sunday, Oct. 22 CONCERTS: FRIDAY, OCT. 20-Canterbury Loft, 332 S. State St. CHARLIE MURPHY-gay male singer and Time: 9 PM, songwriter in concert. donations accepted CO-SPONSORED BY CANTERBURY LOFT SATURDAY, OCT. 21-(location to be announced) GINNI CLEMENS AND AMI PIERCE in concert at U-M TIME: 8 PM, admission 13.50-advance tickets at Discount Records on S. State St. and Schoolkids Records on E. Liberty (half price over 60 and under 16) SPONSORED BY OASIS PRODUCTIONS-childcare available FILMS: In conjunction with Gay Lifestyles Conference will also be a special FREE FILM SERIES in the Michigan Union. Check flyer on "films" for details. A 0 " It'i GoeS FrYou... Asutung" HAPPY HOUR-6-9 pm MON-FRI Deliciously Different Frozen Yogurt Shakes '/2 Price Thursday's Delight Friday's Delight 6-9 pm 6-9 pm FRESH SPINACH & CHEESE QUICHE and TUNA GRILL TOSSED SALAD and TOSSED SALAD Special $1.75 Special $1.50 Saturday Morning's Delight Saturday's Delight Breakfast Crepes after 3 pm Eggs, ham, and cheese in hollandaise FREE Yogurt Sundae sauce served with a blueberry brand muffin and coffee. with any salad, sandwich, Special $1.90 crepe, or quiche order. 251 E. LIBERTY . 665-7513 legal (Continued fr masquerading as vative." Griffin said Levin a pro-taxation attitu effort in 1969 to ra residents of Detroitt nrnking aehike rom Page D that paid by residents, urging an in- a fiscal conser- crease in cigarette and alcohol taxes, and voting against a resolution before has demonstrated the Detroit City Council to require de by supporting an voters to approve by referendum any ise taxes for non- increase in property or income taxes to the same rate as for Detroit schools. Rubin attends D.C. inflation conference jd for farrher info, contact:' Human Sexuality Advocates 3404.3407 Michigan Union Tele. 763-4186 or 764-0207 child care provided: Friday.S a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat. & Sun(..10a.m.- 5 p.m. Room 3406. Michigan Union THE STROH BREWERY COMPANY, DETROIT, MICHIGAN © 1978 - (Continued from Page l) the quality of education. So what the Carter administration in- tended to be an attempt to see how students feel about inflation, Rubin saw as a first step to see how they feel about more general issues. All seemed concerned about the property tax cutting that is being con- sidered across the country. Represen- tatives from California schools said that the blow of Proposition 13 has been softened by the fact that the University of California is a big land owner, belonging to one group of Californians who actually benefitted from the tax- slashing campaign. But Rubin added that the Californians' reported a general decline in student services and predicted even more cuts in the univer- sity budgets there. IN A FOUR-MINUTE description of the administration's approach to the problem of inflation, Gould gave "a rather self-serving analysis" of the cause of rising wages and prices, ac- cording to Rubin. "The Carter administration does not interpret inflation as a function of ex- cess demand or a function of gover- nment spending," reported Rubin. "It's a question of an inflationary spiral which has its roots in shocks to the sup- ply of goods to the economy like OPEC." Gould told the group "there's no cause of inflation you can remove right now," said Rubin. Rubin said the Carter attempt to "put a soft touch" on big labor unions and business with guidelines asking them to keep prices and wages down will prove only "somewhat ineffective." SHE HAD NO scheme in mind her- self, but stressed that unemployment need not be increased in the fight against inflation if the administration restructures funding priorities to pull money from "areas like defense," which she said are poor in providing employment, and put into less capital, intensive projects., IN THE CARTER plan, Rubin lear- ned, tuition is considered a "price" to be kept under an average rate of a five- and-three-quarter per cent increase annually. - During her meeting with Meltzer at HEW, Rubin said she was surprised to find herself in an argument with him over the right of the federal agency to enforce affirmative action and other governmental policies on the Univer- sity. Rubin said she told Meltzer that since the University "is not making a real conscious effort" in the area of affir- mative action, HEW Ought to be more forceful with University administrators in seeing that such policy is met. ,- C C.. - Cuban Film Festival- schedule chnget "CANTADA DE CHILE" is cancelled. Instead, a film by the same director will be shown: Humberto Solas 1969 4' , _. .^ E F LUCIA Passion and politics combine and conflict in this epic spanning 70 years of Cuban history, as portrayed through the lives of three women. The director designates a separate segment of the film to each of these women to present her tale. It is a powerful and painful film that is not to be missed. Spanish, with subtitles. Fri.-Double Bond-"DR. NO" & "GOLDFINGER" Sat.-ONE FLEW OVER THE CUKOO'S NEST CINEMA I TONITE AT 7 & 9:45 ANGELL HALL AUD. A-$1.50 EI o. St*:>::.: r1 ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJORS BEFORE YOU PICK UP YOUR DEGREE, PICK OUR INTERVIEW. Contact your placement office for interview dates. . ----------------------- "Care to join me in a cold Stroh's?" : -- - f i