Some courses may be cancelled during 10th week ““ only days
before finals begin ““ as teaching assistants participate in a
second strike against the university this quarter due to alleged
continuing unfair labor practices.
The strike, organized by the United Auto Workers, which
represents over 11,000 teaching assistants, readers and tutors at
the eight University of California undergraduate campuses, is
scheduled to occur Dec. 1 to Dec. 5.
The UC believes that it has been working closely with the UAW to
reach a fair agreement and that allegations of unfair labor
practices are misleading.
According to a UAW statement, the UC has failed to address 64
previously filed unfair labor practices, in addition to continuing
to commit them. The alleged practices include surface bargaining,
the act of passing proposals back and forth without making real
changes, and shifting justifications by the university.
The UAW filed these same unfair labor practice charges against
the university and participated in a one-day strike on Oct. 3
““ prompting the cancellation of several class sections
““ to exhibit their anger against what they believe were
injustices committed by the university.
The UAW and the UC tried to reach a settlement in a voluntary
pre-impasse mediation meeting in November.
Union officials also said in a statement that the UC withdrew
several proposals it had previously made to the UAW several days
preceding the mediation.
Though the strike falls a week before finals ““ a crucial
time for most students ““ the UAW believes the strike is a
necessary action.
On Tuesday, the UC released a statement addressing their
response to the union’s decision.
“All UC campuses have contingency plans in place to deal
with strikes and … ensure that instructional activities … will
continue with as little disruption as possible,” the
statement said.
Though the UAW has filed unfair labor practice charges, it does
not validate the actions the UAW is taking, the statement also
stated.
“˜The mere filing of (unfair labor practices) does not
represent actual wrongdoing or provide a legal justification for
striking,” the statement said.
Other UC unions, such as the Coalition of University Employees
and the University Professional and Technical Employees, support
the upcoming strike.
“It’s time for the administration to live up to its
legal obligations and respect the rights of its workers and their
unions,” said Claudia Horning, president of CUE, in a
statement.
On Tuesday, most TAs on campus had just gotten word of the
union’s decision and were unsure whether they will
participate in the strike.
If a strike were to take place, Professor Michael North of the
English department said he would have to cancel all six of his
discussion sections.
Barney Schlinger, vice chairman of the physiological sciences
department, noted that communication between professors and TAs
would be helpful in such an event.
“I hope TAs will be responsible enough to let professors
know if they are going to walk out so instructors can act
accordingly,” he said.
Some students are supportive of the UAW’s decision, while
others are concerned about their classes.
“They are going on a strike for a good reason. … I
don’t want TAs to continue working on bad conditions just for
my sake,” said Elizabeth Hakamssom, a Swedish exchange
student.
Anne Villacete, a second-year pre-business economics student,
was shocked at the decision.
“Before finals, we need our TAs and office hours. … This
is going to be bad,” she said.