2620 W Michigan Ave

Kalamazoo MI 49006

October 12, 2006

Jay Wood, Director

Academic Collective Bargaining

1300 Seibert Administration Building

Western Michigan University

1903 West Michigan Avenue

Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5217

Dear Dr. Wood,

As you know, in April, the Teaching Assistants Union (AFT-Michigan/AFL-CIO) was recognized by the Michigan Employment Relations Commission as the authorized collective bargaining agent for graduate teachers at Western Michigan University. We are writing now to request that we set a date to commence bargaining on the terms of our employment.

Our team is available on the following dates and times:

Tuesday, October 17, 9 am-1 pm

Tuesday, November 14, 9 am-1 pm

Tuesday, November 21, 9 am-1 pm

Tuesday, November 28, 9 am-1 pm

Thursday, November 30, 9 am-1 pm and 5 pm-8 pm

Please let us know as soon as possible whether one (or several) of these times will be satisfactory for the University’s HR team. We look forward to meeting with you and to negotiating our first contract.

Sincerely,

Lisa Horton

Julie Roos

Julie Houck

Jason Trowbridge

Alyssa Picard, AFT-Michigan