We are disappointed by the news that UAW will be holding a strike authorization vote. We are currently engaged in sustained and forward-looking negotiations for a successor contract for the academic graduate student employees bargaining unit (Graduate Student Instructors, Readers, Tutors, and Graduate Student Researchers), as well as an initial contract for the new student services and research professionals bargaining unit. Through both negotiations, we have worked collaboratively with the UAW, reaching dozens of tentative agreements across the two contracts.
In bargaining for the academic graduate student employees’ contract, the University passed substantial proposals today that address many of the priorities that UAW claims they are holding a strike vote to secure. The University’s proposals include:
- A $250,000 fund that allows UAW-represented academic graduate student employees to consult with an external expert on visa issues;
- A wage proposal that moves the monthly salary scales for Teaching Assistants and Graduate Student Researchers closer together over the term of the contract to address the UAW’s stated priority; and
Normative appointments of 25% and 50% for academic graduate student employees, providing dependable employment hours and job security to these valuable student employees.
For the student services and research professionals’ contract, UC and UAW have reached tentative agreements on issues of priority to the union, including Nondiscrimination in Employment, Reasonable Accommodation, and Leaves for Union Business. Respectful Work Environment.
We strongly disagree with UAW’s characterization that the University is bargaining in bad faith or acting unlawfully, and we remain committed to complying with all legal obligations, bargaining in good faith, and reaching a fair and timely agreement. UAW’s strike authorization vote at this stage is unnecessary and risks diverting focus from the meaningful progress being made at the bargaining table.