Michigan State, 1,400 grad student TAs reach deal to avoid walkout

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/business-15/120887635496150.xml&storylist=michigannews

4/22/2008, 10:50 a.m. EDT
The Associated Press

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A union representing graduate student teaching assistants at Michigan State University says it has reached a tentative contract agreement with the school.

About 1,400 TAs had threatened a one-day walkout Tuesday if the university and union couldn't reach a deal.

The Lansing State Journal reports the deal was struck as of 6 a.m.

Negotiations had stalled over issues such as wages, health insurance and parking privileges.

Most Michigan State TAs work 20 hours a week during the academic year and earn between $11,322 and $13,041. That places them near the bottom of the Big Ten.

The union's Web site says graduate students TAs would get wage increases of 3 percent, 2.75 percent and 2.5 percent over three years under the tentative agreement.

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Information from: Lansing State Journal, http://www.lansingstatejournal.com