YPSILANTI (WWJ) - Days after Eastern Michigan University filed a complaint in court, a judge has denied a request to order faculty members back to work as hundreds of professors remain on strike Friday morning.
WWJ's Charlie Langton reported Washtenaw County Circuit Court Judge Carol Kuknke turned down the university administration's request for a temporary injunction against striking EMU staff which would force them back to the classroom.
"Instead, the judge set a hearing for next Friday," Langton reported.
Langton said roughly 500 professors remain on strike for the third day -- they have been without a contract for over a week after it expired with EMU on Aug. 31.
It has had multiple extensions since origination in 2015.
Professor Marguerite DeBollo, one of six members of the union's bargaining team, told Langton she "believes the judge is really signaling to the two, 'settle this lawsuit, settle this dispute.'"
"We are so excited," DeBollo said of the latest ruling. "We feel like we've gained a little bit of our power back, We look forward to being at the table today and possibly settling this contract."
Officials say negotiations have been underway under the guidance of an independent State-appointed mediator, with a State-appointed fact finder also involved.
While talks are ongoing, EMU has urged students to still attend class and wait apporximently 15 minutes for a professor to show up.
If not, consider the class canceled.