SAGE strikes for university recognition
Picketers ask students to remain off campus, get mixed
reactions
By Kimberly Mackesy
The Student Association of Graduate Employees’ (SAGE) struggle
for union recognition reached a new level Wednesday, when its long
efforts culminated in the first graduate employee walkout at UCLA
in recent history.
The two-day walkout was held between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday
and is scheduled to continue through today. Picket lines were
stationed at 12 sites around the perimeter of the campus to
discourage students and delivery drivers from coming on campus.
The association’s walkout was the result of irreconcilable
differences of opinion between the administration and SAGE members
over the union’s recognition. Pending litigation will determine
whether the university will be legally obliged to recognize the
union.
Chancellor Charles Young has decided to not recognize SAGE as an
appropriate collective bargaining entity until the union has gone
through the necessary legal channels. SAGE, believing that Young
should recognize the union, called a two-day walkout to protest
their unrecognized status.
"We’re not asking for tons of money. We’re asking for a voice in
things affecting our job. I think the undergraduates understand the
link between the quality of our job and the quality of their
education," said William Kramer, an urban planning student and
captain of the picket line on the corner of Gayley and Strathmore
Avenues.
Graduate administrative officials were unavailable for
comment.
While about 20 picketers chanted, held signs, blew whistles and
crossed the street with every change of the light, Kramer attested
to the success of the strike.
"Support’s been great," Kramer said. "I’d say nine out of 10
undergraduates support what we stand for. Some of them have been
stopping. Some who are crossing the picket line are agreeing to
call Chancellor Young, or wear badges to show their support."
Kramer said he believed support for SAGE went beyond students
and faculty.
"We’ve had union drivers refuse to deliver," Kramer said. "We’ve
had construction workers on campus walking off their jobs."
Jennifer Reynolds, a graduate anthropology student, said she
also believed undergraduates were supportive.
"We appreciate those undergraduates who did not go to class on
campus. We know it’s a hard decision to cross the picket line,"
Reynolds said.
"The undergraduate students have a tough choice," said Chris
Isett, a graduate history student and member of SAGE’s organizing
committee. "We just ask that, if they have to go to class, that
they come off campus as soon as possible, wear badges or go on
campus after 5."
Isett added that many undergraduate students chose to show their
support for the union by wearing badges. He said that SAGE ordered
5,000 badges, expecting them to last two days.
"They didn’t last through the morning. We ran out by 10 or 11
a.m.," Isett said.
Some undergraduate students voiced their support for the union’s
actions.
"It’s not merely a special interest case," said Ron Bassilian, a
third-year student of political science and mathematics. Bassilian
spoke out against Young while holding a sign and marching alongside
graduate students.
"I think there are as many undergraduates as graduates out here.
We’re in a common battle against the chancellor," Bassilian
said.
But other undergraduates on campus seemed to be less supportive
of the union’s choice of action.
"I don’t think they should strike," said Tam Phan, a first-year
microbiology student. "(TAs) have a commitment to the students.
They should honor that."
Van Johnson, a second-year biology student, voiced a similar
sentiment.
"I guess it’s all right for them to strike, but I need to
learn," Johnson said.
Sen Sogah, a second-year biochemistry student, said he thought
the union shouldn’t receive undergraduate sympathy.
"What’s the point? We’re all going to go back to class on
Friday," he said. "The university doesn’t care, it can get through
the day without them.
"It’s almost as bad as the O.J. trial," he added.
Support for the walkout was mixed among graduate students as
well. Bruce Ritzi, a graduate student in physics, said he was not
in favor of the strike.
"I know the issues slightly, but … how much power does UAW
have?" he asked, referring to the United Auto Workers, the union
with which SAGE is affiliated. "I don’t think it’s going to cause
any change."
Meanwhile, faculty support for the graduate employees union’s
strike varies. While some professors do not condone SAGE’s action,
there were some reports of professors cancelling classes.
"I think some have made alternative arrangements for holding
their classes. One professor was planning to hold them in the
courtyard in front of Murphy Hall," said Jason Corbett, geography
department manager.
Some students reported seeing TAs holding discussion sections at
various establishments around Westwood, although neither Border’s,
Starbucks or the Coffee Bean reported seeing them.
Picketing drew support from the local group Justice for Janitors
and the Asian American Studies Center, which closed down for the
duration of the walkout.