DETROIT – If Wayne State University instructors aren't satisfied with contract negotiations over winter break, they may not be back to teach in January.
The instructors have been locked in bitter negotiations and have been without a contract since their three-year deal expired in July. At odds are post-tenure reviews and health care.
American Federation of Teachers Local 6075 represents more than 1,600 academic faculty and staff on and off campus.
Union president Charles Parrish says professors authorized a strike last week, with only one vote in dissent. Wayne State spokesman Matt Lockwood declined to comment.
Wayne State has approximately 20,000 undergraduate students.
What students are saying
"This is like my home. I live here, I go to school here, I eat here, I sleep here," said geology major Lindsey Davis. "So, to think that I might not have that next semester, it's really scary for me."
Biochemistry major David Bahling said he thinks the university needs to take care of their instructors.
"They help us as students. For them to do their job to the best of their abilities, they have to have that security," he said.
The last day of final exams is Wednesday.