Page 2-The Michigan Daily-Wednesday, April 17,1991 GEO Continued from page 1 hired in the fall, and; a review of the pay for TAs who teach classes that exceed the registrar's limitation. Zundel presented GEO's tenta- tive response to the University's package. The proposed package in- cludes: a 6 percent salary increase over the next two years; better summer health bene- fits; class size limits of 35 next year and 30 in the following year; a sliding tuition waiver scale; third party arbitration with no conditions attached, and; no reprisals of any kind for anyone participating in the work stoppage. A proposal was also passed ask- ing all TAs to return the University attendance form blank to the GEO office. Roberson questioned the legal- ity of the letter under labor laws. He also said the University is asking members to spy and that action is coercive and possibly illegal. Roberson said if both sides fail to resolve the contract after GEO has presented its package, then nego- tiations could progress into a period of fact-finding where a fact-finder would evaluate both sides and rec- ommend one position. But if the fact-finder could not resolve the issues and both sides reach an impasse, then, under current state labor laws, the University can implement its current package 60 days after the fact-finding period ends, Roberson said. Roberson added that if no con- tract is signed by Sept. 1 then the University can also implement its current package. ROLL Continued from page 1 they hoped to avert a work stop- page by offering to extend CEO's current contract. The University gave GEO until 3 p.m. yesterday to respond, but GEO representatives did not reply by the deadline. Because the work stoppage passed at the GEO steering com- mittee meeting last night, the let- ter will be sent to all union teach- ing assistants, said Joseph Owsley, director of News and Information Services. Legal questions surrounding the University's memo have surfaced - specifically the last paragraph, which states, "Failure to return this completed form on time will be considered an indication that you participated in an illegal strike and failed to fulfill your employment duties." University General Council Elsa Cole said the letter was within legal bounds. "An 'indication' is not an abso- lute correlation that a TA partici- pated in the strike," she said. "(TAs) would have an opportunity ... to explain their absence due to some other factor such as an ill- ness." Cole said she thought a similar letter was sent to striking TAs in the '70s and was not challenged in court. University negotiator Colleen Dolan-Greene also said the letter passed legal muster. "It is always appropriate to have direct corre- spondence with (employees)." "We look at the letter like an attendance card," Owsley said. Owsley said he thought the letter served a fair purpose. Alumni to offeri job-search clues' by t5onnie Bouman .... .. . ..... - - ........... ...g.ig .round.... . . ..... e r Railroad talks fail; strike expected to lay off thousands Associated Press I ................... ............... "i .. * :-X.X .... . :e . :t Stdet Pubict7n" udi 4gM20 ayn Last-ditch contract talks be- tween freight railroads and their unions broke up last night, clearing the way for a coast-to-coast strike after midnight that could strand rail passengers and stop the flow of one-third of the nation's goods. Big Three automakers warned that if the nation's freight rail sys- tem was hit by a strike at midnight yesterday as threatened, car and truck assembly plants could begin shutting down by week's end. The Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association, an in- dustry lobbying group, was more specific. "Seventy to 80 percent of motor vehicle manufacturing facilities would be affected in the first 24 hours of a railroad strike," MVMA President Thomas Hanna said. The potential for trouble stemmed from auto plants operat- ing under the "just-in-time" parts delivery system. Parts and compo- nents arrive at assembly plants at times only a few hours before they're needed on assembly lines. The just-in-time system is a more efficient and risky manufacturing method that wasn't around in 1982, the last time railroad workers walked off their jobs. Unions contend the railroads have not offered high enough pay to make up for wage freezes of the past. "Exams end Friday, May 3. What begins on Monday, May 6?" asks a Career Planning and Placement (CP&P) Office flyer an- nouncing a program to help anxious job-seekers during the recession. CP&P will host "The Successful Job Search: Voices of Experience," a panel of University alumni who will speak and answer questions about their unconven- tional job searches today from 4:10 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the CP&P office. "It helps to hear from people who've gone through this experi- ence," Career Counselor Judy Michael said. Michael added that CP&P staff hope students will re- late to recent alumni's stories about competition in the job market. The three panel members gradu- ated in 1983, 1986, and 1990. "We didn't want anyone so far back they couldn't remember," explained Intern Programs Supervisor Paula Di Rita. All three, who have degrees in political science, organizational psychology, and English, went through unconventional job searches, Di Rita said. "They've gone beyond the typical sources of news- paper ads ... searches that took a lit- COMMISSIONS Continued from page 1 eliminated are: Academic Affairs, Health Issues, Student Rights, Peace and Justice, and Women's Issues. According to the proposal, the rationale behind eliminating these commissions is to allow MSA to allocate more funds to other stu- dent groups which already serve the functions of the commissions, such as the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center and EnAct U-M. Twelve students from environ- mental groups came during con- stituents' time to support keeping the Environmental Issues Commission. LSA first-year student Alissa Strauss said the commission acted as MSA Continued from page 1 not pass with international atten- tion," Rackham Rep. Sean Hirlihy said. Hirlihy was responsible for the changes that allowed the Conservative Coalition-led assem- bly to pass the resolution keeping the ties. It was the first instance of a break in the CC voting. "We should all be agreeing that tle more time." "They've all worked in differen areas," Di Rita said. She expects the alumni will share insights beyond the initial steps of job hunting tips that might get students started if they feel they are at an impasse. it helps to hear from0 people who've gone through this experi- ence' - Judy Michael career counselor Calvin and Hobbes Y0JYE -V = wuT NIl1aGR' I 00- o 8 co vo 0 0 0 0 0o r POR GE.N~ttC. by Bill Watterson BAD GUESS. ~ Di Rita said that ingenuity is needed when searching for employ- ment. "It takes creativity, and we're trying to teach students those (skills)," she said. Di Rita explained that due to the recession and media-exacerbated anxiety on students' part, CP&P staff have extended their resources with extra programming and tours. "You read in the papers and hed* but students are feeling the crunch of the recession," Di Rita said. a unifying body, enhancing commu- nication and combined efforts be- tween groups. "Most of the MSA Reps. ran on the platform of representing stu- dents," she said. "Keeping Environmental Issues would be rep- resenting students by maintaining cleaner, healthier, and safer cam- pus. LSA Rep. Brett White said he sponsored the proposal because the main function of MSA is to be a li- aison between the students and the administration and to provide stu- dent group funding. Hinte described the proposed amendments as "despicable." I0 said he had no objection to the stu- dent referendum, but the commis- sions should remain functional un- til the election. we support basic human rights," he said. "By continuing the sister school relationships even in the apoliticized from passed by the new assembly, we can save lives." Sarah Baker, a constituent, spoke about the necessity of keeping tho ties because they add to students' awareness of cultural differences. The original resolution was in line with what many view as a reac- tive political agenda CC leaders have enacted. V leadthedailyreadth'edailyreadthedaiI l " ----- A MOUSE. POINT. CLICK. DRAG. ICONS. That's IBM? YES! And plan for your future now: classes, graduation, the Business world. Special student prices, packages, and financing can make it happen! - -- ---- - .. m - - m-" - -- PS/2 FEATURES: - Fun, Easy to Use - Special Student Prices - Student Financing - Student Packages - Powerful - Expandable - Reliable Call your Collegiate Qepreentativeg at. (313) 663-0330 for more info. GOOD LUCK WITH FINALS! FAMILY Continued from page 1 in the family. Acting City Administrator Donald Mason said the city's deci- sion makes Ann Arbor a better community. However, future situa- tions will be decided on an individ- ual basis "until we can come to an overall policy," he added. "I have personal high regard for the competency of these two indi- viduals," said Councilmember Ingrid Sheldon (R-Second Ward). "I'd like to think our community is a fair, understanding, and tolerant community. Mutual respect for each other is my bottom line." Miller said the city will not ex- tend her marital status to health in- surance. If one partner of a hetero- sexual couple works for the city, any health insurance covers the spouse and family. With homosex- ual couples, the partner will not be covered, she added. The Associated Press con tributed to this report. The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967) is published Monday through Friday during the fall and winter terms by students at the University of Michigan. The Daily is published Wednesdays during the spring and summerterms. On-campus Spring/Summer subscriptions are $8; off-campus subscriptions will not be accepted for the Spring/Summer terms. Daily subscriptions will resume in the fall. The Michigan Daily is a member of The Associated Press and the College Press Service. ADDRESS: The Michigan Daily, 420 Maynard Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109. 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