The Graduate Employees Union is discussing a strike platform and potential job actions it could take if the union and university don’t agree on a contract by April 28, the first day of finals. One of those job actions would have union members withhold exams.

“A large percentage of exams have been administered or proctored by TAs,” said Nate Zukas, geography department steward for the union.

“(If job actions are approved), we would not be proctoring exams or showing up. This is not something we want to do.”

Karen Klomparens, dean of the Graduate School, said she would not comment further on possible actions the union may take.

Though a strike platform won’t be set before an April 2 vote among union members, establishing a platform is an important step for the union, said Julia Smith-Heck, assistant staff representative for the union.

“The strike platform is our bottom line — what we expect,” Smith-Heck said.

“It’s what we can acceptably negotiate down to before the membership feels we should walk out.”

What exactly will be included in the strike platform is difficult to say, Zukas said. But the platform likely would focus on the union’s requested 5 percent annual wage increase, parking rights, improved health care benefits and the elimination of university fees the union deems unfair.

Although graduate employees are legally unable to strike because they are public employees, a contract that does not meet the requirements of the strike platform could force the union to take actions such as withholding grades, not proctoring exams or staging a one-day walkout.

If those actions were to take place, they would be the direct result of the strained and occasionally disrespectful negotiating process between the union and university representatives, Zukas said.

“This is what happens when your back is against the wall,” he said. “When both sides try to make compromises and are giving and taking, you have a much smoother negotiating process. That clearly hasn’t been the case.”

Zukas said if union members were to withhold grades, they would e-mail students their grades but wouldn’t report them to the administration.

While a walkout and other job actions would be hard for her and fellow TAs, it would be a necessary step, said Margaret Rowley, a TA for IAH 208, Music and Culture.

“I think it would be difficult, particularly if students have a close relationship with the professor they’re working for,” Rowley said.

“But if we’re going to get the good contract and be treated like adults and paid like professionals, I think it’s really important for us all to stand together and comply with the strike platform, whatever it is.”