FISE, the World Federation of Teachers Union, an affiliated member of WFTU, sends a solidarity message to teachers of the University of California who are on strike.
Teachers and employees of the University are holding a strike to defend the public education against privatisation.
We support the hard task of teachers who try every day their best to educate students as well as their fight to defend the public education.
We stand by the University of California teachers and employees and we express our solidarity with their fight.
https://labortoday.international/f/uc-is-on-strike
EDITORIAL
The University of California operates one of the most prestigeous university systems in the world. Like all great learning institutions, UC depends on the hard work of its Academic Researchers, Academic Student Employees, Post-Doctorate Graduate employees, and Student Researchers to provide an enriched academic experience. These dedicated employees are striking to defend public education against the corporate onslaught of neoliberalism that seeks not only to privatize public education, but to gouge the life out of the academic community for the sake of profits.
The University of California operates one of the most prestigeous university systems in the world. Like all great learning institutions, UC depends on the hard work of its Academic Researchers, Academic Student Employees, Post-Doctorate Graduate employees, and Student Researchers to provide an enriched academic experience. These dedicated employees are striking to defend public education against the corporate onslaught of neoliberalism that seeks not only to privatize public education, but to gouge the life out of the academic community for the sake of profits.
Public universities don’t operate in a vaccuum.The same market forces that operate outside of the university also operate within it. Employees are confronted with runaway inflation with no increases in their wages and benefits. Workers are working harder for less pay and benefits. Costs are rising while wages and benefits remain stagnant.
Labor Today International Editorial Board stands 100% with these education workers. We recognize the tremendous sacrafice they are making, risking their entire careers to go on strike and drive the corporate mindset from the university system. Education is not a business. Instructors and ancillary personnel are not corporate pawns. Educators have one purpose: to provide the best education possible to every pupil. During the pandemic, education employees were considered “essential”. It’s time for UC to demonstrate with actions that they really do treat university workers as essential to the success of the UC System. NEGOTIATE NOW!
THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE IS FROM THE WEBSITE OF UAW LOCAL 5810)
UC is on strike!
Tens of thousands of Academic Workers held the line on Day 2 of our multi-unit statewide strike. We made UC return to the bargaining table, despite having previously declined to schedule any sessions for today. With our growing power, we WILL win fair contracts! @UAWonStrike
Academic Workers held the line and showed up for Day 2! UC returned to the bargaining table, despite having previously declined to schedule any sessions for today. The pressure is working! As always, Academic Worker bargaining teams are ready and willing to meet with UC around the clock to get a deal. It is your collective action that will keep bringing them to the table, so stay strong!
Bargaining Update
For the first time, the University proposed improved alternative transportation benefits in the Parking and Transit article. They also stated that they intend for these benefits to be similar for all Academic Student Employees, Academic Researchers, Postdocs, and Student Researchers. Their proposal contained several of workers’ core concepts: (partial) reimbursement of transit costs, a transition to free transit passes, and discounts for e-bikes. Academic Workers countered that we want a better benefit: the University must provide fully subsidized public transit and more support for bike commuters. Tomorrow, bargaining resumes in-person at UC Irvine.
For the first time, the University proposed improved alternative transportation benefits in the Parking and Transit article. They also stated that they intend for these benefits to be similar for all Academic Student Employees, Academic Researchers, Postdocs, and Student Researchers. Their proposal contained several of workers’ core concepts: (partial) reimbursement of transit costs, a transition to free transit passes, and discounts for e-bikes. Academic Workers countered that we want a better benefit: the University must provide fully subsidized public transit and more support for bike commuters. Tomorrow, bargaining resumes in-person at UC Irvine.
Support grows
Support for our strike continues to pour in. Senator Bernie Sanders tweeted his support for Academic Workers today, and Congressperson Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez retweeted us. Senator Alex Padilla, Congressperson Adam Schiff and many other elected leaders have also expressed their solidarity.
Support for our strike continues to pour in. Senator Bernie Sanders tweeted his support for Academic Workers today, and Congressperson Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez retweeted us. Senator Alex Padilla, Congressperson Adam Schiff and many other elected leaders have also expressed their solidarity.
Solidarity from the Labor Movement
In an incredibly powerful moment of worker solidarity at a massive rally at UCB today, President of Teamsters Joint Council 7 Jason Rabinowitz announced that the Teamsters have sanctioned our strike. Union truck drivers including UPS will respect UAW picket lines and not make deliveries to the University for the duration of the strike.
In an incredibly powerful moment of worker solidarity at a massive rally at UCB today, President of Teamsters Joint Council 7 Jason Rabinowitz announced that the Teamsters have sanctioned our strike. Union truck drivers including UPS will respect UAW picket lines and not make deliveries to the University for the duration of the strike.
From the widespread and enthusiastic press coverage we’ve received to the high-level elected leaders who have expressed support for our movement, it’s clear that the public is in UC Academic Workers’ corner. As bargaining resumes in earnest tomorrow, let’s allow that support to keep fueling us in our fight to stop UC’s unlawful behavior and win fair contracts. See you on the picket line!
UAW 5810 Academic Researcher Bargaining Team
UAW 2865 Academic Student Employee Bargaining Team
UAW 5810 Postdoc Bargaining Team
SRU-UAW Student Researcher Bargaining Team
UAW 2865 Academic Student Employee Bargaining Team
UAW 5810 Postdoc Bargaining Team
SRU-UAW Student Researcher Bargaining Team
