The most important quote in the Nov. 7 article on graduate unionization was: "I think we have it good as it is now, and I wouldn't want to see things change."

I suggest that graduate students who are relatively happy with their current situation not sign a union authorization card. "Relatively" is an important word here because we could all be happier with more money or less work. One could lament forever about how things could be better, but I would like to highlight two reasons why we should be thankful for our current status.

I) We are offered some health care. We could have none. 2) We are paid to attend school, while obtaining training via research or teaching. Never before have I been paid to learn. For this, I am grateful. While I recognize that certain graduates work more and are paid less than others, I don't think a union is the best method to address this problem.

Rather than lumping all graduates together as a homogenous "bargaining unit," this problem should be dealt with at the department level. An increase in paychecks in some departments could result in fewer assistantships. This might mean that some students could receive no funding at all.

I would support a union for fixed term employees because they deserve paychecks that match their status as full-time employees.