Past Bargaining Updates:
2007 Bargaining:
- Bargaining Update (October 12, 2007)
- Action Alert!
- Bargaining Update (September 27, 2007)
- Bargaining Update (September 24, 2007)
- Bargaining Update (September 12, 2007)
- Bargaining Update (September 5, 2007)
- Bargaining Update (August 27, 2007)
- Bargaining Update (August 23, 2007)
- Bargaining Update (August 17, 2007)
- Bargaining Update (August 6, 2007)
- Bargaining Update (June 27, 2007)
- Bargaining Update (June 11, 2007)
- Bargaining Update (May 29, 2007)
- Bargaining Update (May 15, 2007)
- Bargaining Update (April 22, 2007)
- Bargaining Update (March 20, 2007)
2006 Bargaining:
2003 Bargaining:
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Update Regarding Upcoming AFSCME Strike
July 13, 2008
Dear UAW 2865 Members:
We are writing with an update to the 7/11/08 e-mail that we sent out regarding the upcoming service worker strike. We have been informed that the Superior Court of California issued a temporary restraining order against AFSCME 3299, the union representing service workers. See a copy of the restraining order.
The University provided us with a copy of the court's order and takes the position that this strike is "illegal" and "sympathy strikers who support an unlawful strike are engaged in an unprotected and unlawful activity" and are subject to discipline. See the University's letters dated July 11, 2008 and July 10, 2008.
In contrast, AFSCME 3299 takes the position that the strike is lawful and plans to carry out the strike July 14-18, 2008: "There is nothing in the judge's order that prevents us from striking after having provided the exact dates of the strike. In addition, the union believes the injunction is an unlawful denial of our Constitutional and statutory right to strike, which we are fighting in court." Information from AFSCME regarding the right to strike is available on their website and on our website.
Please be aware that if the strike is deemed unlawful, the protections of our contract will not apply. If you have questions, please contact us by calling 510.549.3863.
We continue to stand in solidarity with the service workers at UC and hope the University bargains in good faith so they can reach a fair agreement that affords service workers the wages and benefits that they both need and deserve.
There are a number of things you can do to support AFSCME which carry no risk of discipline. These include going to the picket line, participating in rallies, and sending letters in support of AFSCME workers to UC administrators. See more information.
In solidarity,
UAW Local 2865 Executive Board
Christine Petit, President
Daraka Larimore-Hall, Northern Vice President
Coral Wheeler, Southern Vice President
Sara Kirker, Financial Secretary
Cassandra Engeman, Recording Secretary
Marco Chiodaroli, Trustee
Laura Henry, Trustee
Hugh Dauffenbach, Sergeant at Arms
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FIGHT EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION
October 2007
The Employment Non-Discriminate Act (ENDA, H.R.3685) is up for a vote in Congress this week! While the bill provides protections against employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, it FAILS to provide any protections against discrimination based on gender identity and expression. Fortunately, we have another chance to include gender identity in ENDA, but we must act fast!
Tammy Baldwin, Democratic Representative from Wisconsin, is introducing an important amendment to H.R. 3865. If passed, the Baldwin amendment would add gender identity back into ENDA. This amendment will be voted on as early as Wednesday (October 23), so please call your congressional representative NOW!
Transgender people, in particular, would be negatively affected by the passage of this bill without the inclusion of gender identity. A 2006 survey of transgender people conducted by the Transgender Law Center found that 57% reported being discriminated against in employment. The union has taken a strong stance against discrimination based on gender identity and expression – it’s time for Congress to do the same. Act now to ensure that the House of Representatives pass the Baldwin Amendment.
TAKE ACTION
1) Contact your own congressional representative. You can find out who your representative is, call 202-224-3121 OR visit http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/ApqQad91YciQ/
Tell her/him to support the Baldwin Amendment to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, H.R. 3685. Transgender people must be able to work in a discrimination-free environment.
2) Contact other Democratic representatives in the House of Representatives. Call them at the following numbers:
Dennis Cardoza (D-18): (202)-225-6131
Jim Costa (D-20): (202) 225-3341
Jerry McNerney (D-11): (202) 225-1947
Laura Richardson (D-37): (202) 225-7924
Loretta Sanchez (D-47): (202) 225-2965
Mike Thompson (D-01): (202) 225-3311
3) Finally, please also call five other people and encourage them to call their congressional representatives. Support an end to all forms of discrimination.
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10/12/2007: New Contract Ratified! Members around the state voted by a 96% margin to ratify a new contract with the University. The new contract includes many new rights and benefits. The current contract expires September 30, 2009.
Read contract highlights.
Read the full new contract.
Read a press release about this precedent-setting new contract.
For additional information concerning the 4th contract campaign, check out:
PRESS RELEASES :
Media Representatives: please contact our statewide office with questions, 510.549.3863.
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
6,154 UAW 2865 MEMBERS DEMAND THAT UC NEGOTIATE FAIRLY
UNION MEMBERS MOBILIZED FOR A STRONG CONTRACT BY 9/30
Contact: Scott Bailey Clifthorne, President (510) 549 3863
September 18, 2007
(California) – 6,154 members of UAW 2865, the Union representing over 12,000 Teaching Assistants, Tutors, and Readers throughout the University of California system, have signed on to a public statement calling on UC to negotiate fairly and reach agreement by September 30. The text of the statement can be seen below:
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STATEMENT TEXT:
We, the undersigned Union members, call upon the University Administration to abide by its duty to bargain with the UAW in a productive, constructive, and lawful manner so that by the expiration date of the current contract we have a new contract to ratify, which includes:
- wages that are on par with ASEs at UC-competitor institutions and which reflect the high cost of UC attendance and living expenses in UC communities;
- full fee and tuition remissions;
- improved health coverage;
- family-friendly provisions including child care, parental leave, and health coverage for our dependents, spouses and partners;
- enhanced workload rights that address increasing class sizes and the ability to enforce these rights through arbitration;
- increased transparency in hiring decisions;
- summer-session compensation and rights that are the same as the academic year;
- the preservation of our right to bargain campus issues on individual campuses;
- our right to stand in solidarity with other UC employees when they are striking.
Our work at the University is vital to its mission, and our working conditions directly impact the learning conditions of its students. If the University Administration refuses to acknowledge our demands and delays passage of a new contract, we are committed to taking whatever steps are necessary to ensure compliance, up to and including direct action, if called upon to do so by the Union.
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“Members are really fired up about contract negotiations,” said UCLA Biomedical Engineering Teaching Assistant Mark Roden. “We’re fighting for very important rights and benefits right now. As the statement clearly shows, the majority demands that the University bargain fairly.”
“Our membership is highly mobilized. Not only have 6,154 members already signed this public statement, but the number continues to grow,” said Samantha Iyer, Reader and Bargaining Team member from UC Berkeley. “Everyone is highly focused on and working toward reaching agreement by contract expiration. Despite the University’s unwillingness to engage and foot dragging on important issues, we are at the table, ready to reach agreement by September 30.”
The UAW and the U.C. have been in contract talks for a fourth agreement since March. An electronic version of the Union’s bargaining demands and this public statement are available at http://www.uaw2865.org. Academic Student Employees perform a majority of face-to-face education at the University of California. Nationally, the UAW represents over 27,000 Academic Student Employees at colleges and universities.
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***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE CHARGES FILED AGAINST UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
UAW 2865 DEMANDS THAT UC BARGAIN FAIRLY AND LAWFULLY: STRIKE LOOMS
Contact: Daraka Larimore-Hall, (510) 549 3863
September 27, 2007
(California) – UAW 2865, the Union representing over 12,000 Teaching Assistants, Tutors, and Readers throughout the University of California system, is in the process of filing dozens of unfair labor practice (ULPs) charges against the University of California today. “These unfair practice charges demonstrate that the University has been engaging in bad faith bargaining and obstructing efforts to reach agreement on issues of import to the daily lives of Teaching Assistants, Tutors, and Readers,” said Tarone Bittner, Sociology TA and Bargaining Committee member from UC Davis.
The Union may call a strike over these ULPs if the charges are not resolved and agreement reached by the expiration of the current contract, this Sunday, September 30th. “We’re prepared to strike if UC persists with their unfair labor practices,” said Coral Wheeler, Physics TA and Bargaining Committee member from UC Irvine.
The parties are currently engaged in successor negotiations for UAW 2865's contract. UAW 2865 recently released a public statement which, at the time of this release, had over 6,500 signatures from members. The statement calls upon the University of California to negotiate fairly and reach agreement with UAW 2865 by contract expiration.
The UAW and the UC have been in contract talks for a fourth agreement since March. An electronic version of the Union’s bargaining demands is available at http://www.uaw2865.org. Academic Student Employees perform a majority of face-to-face education at the University of California. Nationally, the UAW represents over 27,000 Academic Student Employees at colleges and universities.
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UAW Region 5 Book Drive ends August 31, 2007
August 2007
In anticipation of September - Literacy Month - UAW Region 5 is hosting a book drive. Local 2865 is collecting new or slightly used books to donate to low-income families. You can either drop off books at your campus office or send a check donation to the statewide office (write "book drive" in the comments). We will make a bulk purchase with your check donation. The drive ends August 31, 2007. Contact the statewide office with further questions (510-549-3863).
Preferred titles from the Literacy Roundtable:
Young Children:
- Aunt Flossie's Hats (and Crab Cakes Later) by Elizabeth Fitzgerald
- Ben's Trumpet by Rachel Isadora
- A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams
- Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin
- Just the Two of Us by Will Smith
- The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
- Mommy's Hands by Kathryn Lasky & Jane Kamine
- Tell Me a Story, Mama by Angela Johnson
- Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats
Adolescent & New Readers:
- Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
- Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
- The Friendship by Mildred D. Taylor
- Handbook for Boys by Walter Dean Myers
- Love That Dog by Sharon Creech Coffee
- Will Make You Black by April Sinclair
- Fly Girl by Omar Tyree
- I, Tomato published by AFT/AFL-CIO
- Si, Se Puede published by AFT/AFL-CIO
Books that teach reading to adults:
- Laubach Way to Reading (all levels of student books) by New Readers Press
- Challenger (all levels of student books) by New Readers Press
- Any Hi/Lo Readers from New Readers Press (incl. Oakland Readers, New Writer's Voices, Writer's Voices, Autobiography, Sports and Poetry)
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***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
"GRADE-IN TO BE HELD JUNE 12th, 13th THROUGHOUT UC SYSTEM
EMPLOYEES TAKE A STAND ON QUALITY OF EDUCATION
June 12, 2007
Contact: Scott Bailey Clifthorne, President (415) 810 0652
(CALIFORNIA) – Today and Tomorrow, Teaching Assistants, Tutors, and Readers throughout the University of California (UC) system will be doing their work out in the open. They are calling it a “Grade-In/Tutor-In”, and they hope the action will demonstrate to the University of California just how much work it takes to ensure the students at the UC get the quality education that they deserve. The action is organized by UAW Local 2865, the union representing Academic Student Employees at the University of California. The UAW and the UC are currently negotiating a fourth union contract. Workload protection is a critical issue for the union at the bargaining table.
Over the past decade, the University of California has steadily increased enrollment by more than ten thousand students statewide. As a result, many class and section sizes have ballooned. In one example, the UC’s own Committee on Preparatory Education has argued that writing classes are often 10% to 25% larger than the national standard. Education experts are in wide agreement that larger classes have a negative effect on the quality of education.
Danielle Hidalgo, a TA in Sociology at UC Santa Barbara, says that she is responsible for between 75 – 90 students each quarter. “When you have that many papers to grade every three weeks, you just can’t give every student the type of attention that they need to continually improve their writing.”
Increased class and section size equals more work for Academic Student Employees (ASE’s). Employees want increased workload protections that would give the union a say over class and section size. ”We do a lot of the heavy lifting of education at the University. We lead thousands of discussion sections, grade a vast majority of student work, teach over 15 percent of the classes and work one-on-one with students to improve their academic skills.” Says Megan Chadwick, a tutor at UC Merced. “Overworking us is bad for education.”
In addition to negotiating with UC administration over class and section sizes, employees are also pressing to have workload complaints hear by a neutral arbitrator. Under the current contract, ASE’s cannot take workload grievances to arbitration, which means any workload disputes are settled by an internal university board.
UAW Local 2865 represents over 12,000 Teaching Assistants, Readers and Tutors at the nine undergraduate teaching campuses of the University of California. The UAW's contract with the University of California expires at midnight on September 30.
“Our working conditions are students’ learning conditions” says Scott Bailey Clifthorne, President of Local UAW 2865.
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Employee Free Choice Act
March 2, 2007
The passage of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) by the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, March 1, 2007 represents a major victory for protecting workers' rights. All but two Democrats were joined by several Republicans in passing the EFCA on a vote of 241-185. The measure helps restore workers' freedom to choose a union by:
- Establishing stronger penalties for violation of employee rights when workers seek to form a union or during first-contract negotiations.
- Providing mediation and arbitration for first-contract disputes after 90 days.
- Allowing employees to form unions by signing cards authorizing union representation
Prior to the final vote on the EFCA, the House rejected three anti-worker GOP amendments, along with an effort by the Republicans to send the bill back to committee. The bill will be introduced in the Senate by Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass) in the near future. Read a summary of the bill (PDF).
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Statewide Membership Meeting, February 10, 2007
Join fellow members of UAW Local 2865 at UCLA on Saturday, February 10 as we kick off our fourth contract campaign. We will meet in Room A51 of the Humanities Building at 12 p.m. to hear critical updates from our Bargaining Team regarding enforcement of our current contract and a ratification of the Union’s initial proposals. All members are strongly encouraged to attend! Membership may be obtained at the door.
The Humanities Building is located in the northeast corner of campus along Portola Plaza. Childcare, lunch, and housing are provided. Car travel will be reimbursed, and carpools are available. Contact your campus Union office for carpools and transportation, as well as housing if you are commuting to the meeting.
For on campus parking, purchase an $8 pass at the kiosk on the corner of Westholme & Hilgard which is open from Saturday 7 a.m.- 8 p.m. You should park in lot 2. Directions: Drive North on Westwood towards campus. Take a right onto Le Conte (by the Burger King). Pass the Best Buy on the right. Take a left onto Hilgard. Proceed to Westholme and take a left towards the kiosk. Watch closely for the sign for Westholme, as it's easy to miss.
Notice of Proposed Bylaws Amendment
At the Statewide Membership Meeting on February 10, 2007, the membership will consider the following proposed amendments to the bylaws of UAW 2865:
1) In Article 20, Section 7, fourth paragraph: Change "standard IRS rate" to "IRS medical and moving mileage rate."
2) In Article 20, Section 7, third paragraph: Change "the reimbursement shall be $15 when required to stay overnight, and $8 when not required to stay overnight" to "per diem reimbursement rate shall be 75% of the corresponding per diem rate paid by the international union."
3) Add a new Section 13 to Article 14: "Acceptance of nomination is considered an automatic resignation of currently held positions. This does not apply to positions that can be concurrently held."
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VOTE NOVEMBER 7th, 2006!
October 23, 2006 is the last day to register to vote for California's General Election on November 7th, 2006. UAW Local 2865 encourages everyone who is eligible to turn out to vote in this important election.
Contact your campus Union office to get more involved and to receive a slate card with the Union's voting recommendations to take with you to your polling station. The Union's slate cards provide information on federal, state, and local candidates and ballot measures as part of our Union's progressive, pro-education, pro-labor political program.
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UAW LOCAL 2865 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SECTION 22 OF THE NATIONAL UNION OF EDUCATION WORKERS AND THE POPULAR ASSEMBLY OF THE PEOPLES OF OAXACA
October 2006
WHEREAS, Section 22 of the National Union of Education Workers (SNTE), which represents teachers in Oaxaca, Mexico, is involved in a protracted struggle that began in May 2006, and, in the best traditions of teacher unionism, is demanding decent wages as well as adequate funding to improve conditions in schools and stipends to assure access to education for the most impoverished working families; and
WHEREAS, since May 2006 teachers and their families, with overwhelming popular support, have occupied and barricaded several areas of the city, as well as established a massive encampment in the main square of downtown Oaxaca; and
WHEREAS, the brutal four-hour attack by the Ministerial Police in the early morning of June 14, 2006, that resulted in the serious injury and death of several encamped teachers and supporters, including young children, and the continuing attacks from paramilitary groups sponsored by local authorities have led to the formation of the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca (APPO) to support the teachers' struggle; and
WHEREAS, on Friday October 27, 2006, Ministerial Police and paramilitary forces under the authority of Oaxacan State Governor Ulises Ruíz Ortíz again viciously attacked the encampments and
barricades of Section 22 and APPO, killing three and injuring twenty-three, in an attempt to defeat the teachers' labor struggle through blatant coercion, intimidation, and state repression; and
WHEREAS, Mexican authorities recently amassed over 20,000 federal troops and police in nearby ports and cities, and on October 27, 2006, President Vicente Fox—using the recent police attacks as a justification—ordered the mobilization of these troops into Oaxaca to "restore order" in an obvious attempt to undermine further the popularly-supported SNTE / APPO movement; and
WHEREAS, the current attacks on Oaxacan teachers and students by Mexican authorities reflects an ongoing international trend by federal and state governments to defund, or altogether suspend, basic social programs (such as education) and to disregard the fundamental economic and social needs of increasingly impoverished working-class communities—moving to safeguard profit, economic competitiveness, and geopolitical power through massive layoffs and outsourcing, cutting of wages and benefits, the privatization of public institutions and services, increased military spending, and wars fought over ever more vital natural resources like oil; and
WHEREAS, teachers, students, workers, and their families have no stake in the growing and increasingly more dangerous disputes between the political and corporate elites of different nations over dwindling profit margins, domestic and foreign investments, and access to global financial markets and natural resources, but crucially, need to build and strengthen international solidarity against the mounting assaults on teachers, workers, and students' basic livelihoods; therefore be it
RESOLVED, that UAW Local 2865, in an act of international solidarity, supports the demands of Section 22 of the SNTE and APPO for higher teachers' salaries, improved conditions in schools, and an end to the violent and repressive anti-labor politics espoused by the State Governor of Oaxaca, Ulises Ruíz Ortíz; and be it
RESOLVED, that UAW Local 2865 condemns the Ministerial Police's June 14, 2006, and October 27, 2006, attacks on the popularly-supported teachers' encampment, and condemn any further use of state violence against our brother and sister teachers in Oaxaca, while also joining the growing international condemnation of the use of state violence to defeat and/or undermine labor struggles and movements; and be it further
RESOLVED, that UAW Local 2865 pledges to express their solidarity and support for the courageous struggle of Oaxacan teachers and working families by participating in local solidarity actions and demonstrations; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that UAW Local 2865 calls on the Oaxacan state and Mexican government to end all police violence against the teachers, their families, and community supporters, and to return to negotiations and meet the just demands of the teachers.
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October 1st 3.5% Wage Increase for ASEs
On October 1st, 2006, wages for all Academic Student Employees increased by at least 3.5%, If you do not receive this pay increase starting on October 1, contact your campus Union office immediately. This wage increase is a direct result of the strong contract our Union bargained in 2006. Our Union wins strong contracts and good wage increases because we have a strong, well mobilized membership. You can be a part of building the Union's strength during our fourth contract campaign by becoming actively involved in the Union. For more information, contact your campus Union office.
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HOLDING UC ACCOUNTABLE: SUPPORT CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY BILL 775
August 17 2006
Today, UAW 2865 lent its voice to the multitude of organizations around the state demanding more transparency at the University of California by calling on the Senate Appropriations Committee to approve Assembly Bill 775. If passed, AB 775 would restore much needed accountability by requiring that Regental committees meet and discuss executive compensation in open session rather than behind closed doors. AB 775 was recently approved on a bipartisan 8-1 vote in the Senate Education Committee, and now faces a crucial vote before the Senate Appropriations committee.
As many of you are well aware, UC has recently been in the news for secret and exorbitant executive compensation at a time when our student fees have skyrocketed and UC is threatening to increase the employee costs for important benefits like healthcare and retirement. Passing AB 775 would be an important step toward creating a more accountable, higher quality system of public higher education.
You can play a role in making sure that AB 775 is passed. Contact your representatives in Sacramento and urge them to contact their colleagues in the Senate Appropriations Committee and support the passage AB 775.
To Determine Who Your State Representatives are: http://www.vote-smart.org
For Your Legislators Contact Information:
ASSEMBLY: http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/acsframeset7text.htm
SENATE: http://www.senate.ca.gov/~newsen/senators/senators.htp
Please contact your local Union office to find out how you can get more involved.
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USAS Receives UAW Social Justice Award (June 2006)
June 13, 2006
At the UAW's 34th International Convention, the United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS) was awarded the UAW's Social Justice Award for its fight for sweatshop-free labor conditions and workers' rights for producers of university apparel as well as for university employees. Since 1998 USAS has worked on university campuses throughout the US and Canada. UAW Local 2865 supported USAS's successful effort to have the University of California (UC) sign on to the Designated Supplier's Program. So far, 150 colleges and universities, including the entire UC system, have joined the Worker Rights Consortium, an organization that monitors the working conditions in factories where its members' school apparel is made. Gladys Cisneros, the development coordinator for USAS and daughter of Jose Cisneros, a member of UAW Local 509 in Fullerton, California, accepted the award on behalf of USAS.
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UAW Local 2865 SUPPORTS IMMIGRANTS' & GUEST WORKERS' RIGHTS
LOCATION INFORMATION FOR MAY 1st 2006 ACTIONS:
LOS ANGELES: Rally - 6pm at La Brea Tar Pit (Wilshire and Curson)
OAKLAND: Forum with U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, 12 - 2 p.m., 1301 Clay St., Oakland, and Prayer Vigil with speakers, 5.30 p.m., San Antonio Park at E. 19th St. and Foothill Blvd.
SACRAMENTO: Rally - 10am Southside Park
SAN DIEGO: Rally - 5:30pm at 6th and Laurel (Balboa Park)
SANTA BARBARA: 1:30pm (Speakers) and 3:30pm (March) at Ortega Park at Ortega Street and Salsipuedes Street
SANTA CRUZ: 6am - 12pm - Picket at Bay and High Streets (Main Entrance to Campus)
International students, guest workers, and immigrants to the United States provide immeasurable benefits to this country and to the University of California. Currently, the skills, talents and knowledge of foreign residents are threatened by discriminatory legislation under consideration in Washington, D.C. Senate Bill 2454 and House Resolution 4437 discriminate against and impose burdens on international and immigrant workers, deprive them of equal protection under existing employment law, and deny international and immigrant workers unemployment insurance and other government safety net programs available to U.S. workers. While International Academic Student Employees are protected under the agreement between UAW 2865 and the University, this legislation threatens to undercut the civil rights and fundamental workplace protections of international workers across the country. Needless to say, such legislation is offensive and fundamentally unacceptable.
International and immigrant workers, including Academic Student Employees, are an instrumental part of the work performed at the University of California. In honor of their contributions and in defense of all workers' civil rights, UAW 2865 is joining with other labor unions, civil rights organizations and religious institutions to stand against this discriminatory legislation and to advocate for a progressive immigration policy that defends the rights of immigrants and guest workers. Please see the resolution our Local recently passed supporting immigrants' and guest workers' rights.
In order to successfully oppose SB 2454 and HR 4437, you can take two specific actions:
FIRST: Raise your voice and send a message to your representatives in the House and the Senate and urge them to pass immigration reform that treats all workers justly and equally and creates a path to citizenship for those who want it. To find contact information for your representatives in Washington, D.C., follow these links:
To Determine Who Your Representatives are: http://www.vote-smart.org
For Contact Information For Your Legislators:
HOUSE: http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml
SENATE: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
SECOND: Raise your voice in the streets. Join the labor movement this May 1, International Workers' Day, and participate in your local solidarity actions. A list of rallies, marches and protests around the state is included above. Contact your campus Union office for information on carpools and sign making.
Event organizers are asking everyone to WEAR WHITE.
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Resolution to Support Immigrants' & Guest Workers' Rights
At the April 2006 Joint Council Meeting of UAW Local 2865 the following motion passed unanimously:
"Whereas international student employees make up a significant part of our bargaining unit, and
Whereas the struggle for immigrants' rights is fundamentally a struggle for civil, human and union rights,and
Whereas the mission of UAW Local 2865 is to promote social justice at the UC and beyond;
Be it resolved that UAW Local 2865 re-dedicates itself to the struggle for immigrants' and guest workers' rights and pledges active participation in May 1, 2006 actions in support of immigrants throughout California."
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MACHINISTS 1546 & TEAMSTERS 78 WIN NEW AGREEMENT
April 2006
Berkeley - Last June, Machinists Local 1546 and Teamsters Local 78 struck the new owners of Berkeley Honda. This April they have won a 5 year agreement, defending pensions, health care, and a voice at work. Re-employment rights for union members were resolved by bargaining a phased return plan, and medical and pension benefits were protected. UAW Local 2865, along with UAW Local 2244 and a strong coalition of labor and community organizations, was thanked for participating in regular rallies and picket lines.
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SUPPORT GRADUATE STUDENT ORGANIZING COMMITTEE (GSOC)/UAW LOCAL 2110 ON STRIKE!!
On April 28, 2006 fifty-seven people were arrested at a sit-in at New York University as part of an effort to pressure the university to grant its graduate teaching and research assistants union recognition. Graduate students and union supporters were arrested an hour after the Graduate Students Organizing Committee (GSOC) / UAW Local 2110 announced that a majority of graduate teaching assistants had signed a petition saying they wanted the group to be their union
UAW Local 2865 continues to support the striking Academic Student Employees at NYU as their strike extends into the Spring semester. In addition to our letter of support, UAW Local 2865 has donated $2000 to the GSOC Hardship Fund.
Graduate employees at New York University are on strike to protest NYU's refusal to recognize their union and bargain a new contract. NYU administrators are taking advantage of a partisan National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) decision to deny its graduate employees their basic right to have a union and bargain collectively. The Bush-appointed NLRB denied tens of thousands of academic student employees at private universities important federal protections for forming unions and bargaining, overturning precedent and mistreating graduate employees who are full-fledged workers who deserve full-fledged rights.
Over the past three years, NYU graduate employees and their union, GSOC/UAW Local 2110, negotiated important improvements for campus workers, including a dramatic raise in stipends, health care benefits and overtime pay.
Don't let NYU administrators take away their union and their rights. Take action now. Tell NYU to honor graduate employees' decision to form a union and to get back to the bargaining table now! GSOC/Local 2110 is accepting donations to their Strike Hardship Fund.
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Statewide Membership Meeting, February 25, 2006
On February 25, 2006 UAW Local 2865 will hold their Statewide Membership Meeting at U.C. Berkeley in Evans Hall Room 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In preparation for our upcoming Contract Campaign, we will learn more about our Rights at UC and vote to ratify our Bargaining Proposal for the upcoming Contract Campaign. All members are strongly encouraged to attend! Membership may be obtained at the door.
Parking is available near and on campus. Evans Hall is located on the northeast side of campus. Lunch is provided. Contact your campus Union office for carpools and transportation, as well as housing if you are commuting to the meeting.
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UAW Supports Flexible Fuel & Advanced Technology Vehicles
At the 2006 National CAP Conference, UAW urged the Federal government to provide assistance to help auto manufacturers and auto parts companies retool and expand existing U.S. facilities to produce flexible fuel and advanced technology (hybrid, diesel, fuel cell) vehicles and their key components. Supporting this type of Marshall Plan for the U.S. automotive industry benefits us all by: creating thousands of jobs; reducing dependence on foreign oil; reducing global warming emissions; and lowering the cost of these vehicles for consumers.
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California Special Election
October 24th is the last day to register to vote for the Special Election on November 8, 2005.
We recommend a NO vote on four propositions - 76, 75, 74, and 73 - as part of our Union's progressive, pro-education, pro-labor political program. In particular, Prop 75 is an anti-Union measure that would cripple our efforts to lobby the Legislature on issues that affect our working and learning conditions.
Contact your campus Union office to receive a slate card with the Union's voting recommendations, and to get more involved in the fight against Schwarzenegger's right-wing, anti-labor, anti-education agenda.
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October 1st 3.5% Wage Increase for ASEs
On October 1st, 2005, wages for all Academic Student Employees increased by at least 3.5%. All TAs will receive the 3.5% increase. Readers and Tutors will receive either the 3.5% increase or a raise to $10.95 for undergraduate employees and $11.53 for graduate student employees, whichever is higher. If you do not receive this pay increase starting on October 1, contact your campus Union office immediately.
This wage increase is a direct result of the strong contract our Union bargained in 2003. For 50% (20 hours/week) Teaching Assistants, this means you will make approximately $510 more this year than last year.
Our Union wins strong contracts and good wage increases because we have a strong, well mobilized membership. You can be a part of building the Union's strength during our third contract campaign by becoming actively involved in the Union. For more information, contact your campus Union office.
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Hurricane Disaster Relief
The recent Gulf Coast hurricanes were disasters of immense proportions. The extent to which the Bush administration has failed to extend timely and appropriate relief to affected individuals is astonishing.
Of the hundreds of thousands of displaced and missing individuals, many are fellow members of the UAW. In an effort to extend assistance and relief to our brothers and sisters in this time of need, our Local is participating in the UAW's fundraising effort to help the victims of Rita and Katrina. Funds raised by the UAW will be distributed through the United Way, Red Cross, and
the Salvation Army.
If you would like to make a contribution, please contact your campus union office by phone or email. You can also mail checks payable to UAW International (with "UAW Hurricane Victims" in the memo line) to this address:
UAW International Hurricane Katrina/Rita Disaster Fund
c/o UAW Local 2865
2372 Ellsworth Street
Berkeley, CA 94704
Contributions are tax deductible as allowable by law. Receipts are available on request.
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August 25, 2002
UAW Local 2865 Joins Picket Lines at the University of California Berkeley Campus
Berkeley, California - Graduate Student Instructors, Readers, and Tutors in UAW Local 2865 will join the picket lines at the start of the UC Berkeley semester. The Coalition of University Employees (CUE), which represents UC clerical employees, has announced an unfair labor practice (ULP) strike at the Berkeley campus from Monday, August 26 through Wednesday, August 28. The University Council/American Federation of Teachers (UC-AFT), which represents UC lecturers, plans to join the picket lines on Wednesday, August 28.
During the academic student employees' contract negotiations in the 1999-2000 school year, the Union filed over 100 ULP charges against UC, resulting in one strike and the threat of another. Once the University met its legal obligations, one of the strongest contracts for academic student employees was settled.
"Our Union is all too familiar with UC's pattern of bad-faith bargaining" said Aarti Iyer, Vice President of UAW Local 2865. She added, "We had to go on strike during our first contract negotiations to teach the administration what it means to obey the law and bargain in good faith. It's too bad that lesson hasn't stuck, but our members will do what it takes to make UC live up to its legal obligations."
"We support CUE and UC-AFT in their struggle" said Shahed Sharif, Recording Secretary of UAW Local 2865's Berkeley unit. "It's time for the administration to live up to its legal obligations and respect the rights of its workers and their unions."
UAW Local 2865 represents over 10,000 teaching assistants, readers and tutors at the eight undergraduate teaching campuses of the University of California, including over 2,500 at the Berkeley campus. The academic student employee Union and the University administration will begin bargaining their second contract in Winter, 2003.
Contacts:
Dan Lawson, President, UAW Local 2865
Shahed Sharif, Recording Secretary, Berkeley Unit, UAW Local 2865
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Novemberr 29, 2001
Letter to UC President Richard Atkinson
JPG version of the letter
Richard Atkinson, President
University of California
1111 Franklin Street, 12th Floor
Oakland, CA 94607-5200
Dear President Atkinson:
As you know, the International Union, UAW represents academic student employees at the University of California. Over the years, we have had our share of disputes at the bargaining table and beyond. At the same time, we have remained committed to the goal of fostering higher education. To further that goal, for example, we have sought to work together to combat inequality and discrimination on campus in whatever form it has taken.
In the wake of the terrible events of September 11, we have become increasingly concerned about attempts to single out international students by placing unreasonable restrictions on visas. We write to urge you to join us in opposing any policy, regulation or legislation that attempts to discriminate against such students. Of particular concern is S. 1627, the proposed "Visa Entry Reform Act of 2001", sponsored by Senators Feinstein and Kyl. This bill seeks to prohibit admission to the United States of any students from countries on the State Department's list of state sponsors of international terrorism. It also seeks to impose heightened monitoring of international students lawfully in the United States, including scrutiny of courses of studies.
International students at both the undergraduate and graduate level play an important role in shaping the diverse intellectual and cultural environments that make campus communities engines of social progress and creativity. As research assistants, international students contribute to theoretical, artistic and scientific breakthroughs that improve the quality of life for people around the world. As teaching assistants, readers and tutors, international students play a critical role in providing quality education at colleges and universities across the nation. The intellectual and cultural environment of educational institutions around the country would be seriously undermined by any measure that discriminates against or unfairly singles out international students.
We look forward to discussing and working with you on these issues.
[Signed]
Elizabeth Bunn
Vice President & Director
Technical, Office & Professional Department
[Signed]
Jim Wells
Director
Region 5
[Signed]
Elizabeth Rayfield
President
Local 2865
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November 1, 2001
For Immediate Release
Local 2865 Opposes Efforts to Scapegoat and Discriminate Against International Students in Wake of the September 11th Tragedy.
Today--UAW Local 2865 announced its opposition to legislation, policies, and regulations that unfairly target and impact international students in the wake of the September 11th tragedy. Such initiatives include those in recent weeks which propose to drastically restrict student visas and to impose invasive monitoring procedures on international students. The Union calls upon state and federal legislators to make every effort to stop any such present or future initiatives. "As a union leader, an educator, and a student, I believe it is critical to the ideals of democracy and public education to uphold and defend basic rights and liberties of all people," said Aarti Iyer, a Union officer at UC Santa Cruz.
"International students play an important role in shaping the diverse intellectual and cultural environments that make campus communities engines of social progress and creativity. As teaching assistants, many play important roles in making UC a world-class university. This environment would be seriously undermined by any measure that discriminates against or scapegoats international students," said Beth Rayfield, President of UAW Local 2865.
"The UAW has a long history of winning victories where workers have been disenfranchised by unfair state and Federal laws. With the union, international students gain valuable rights on the job and the strength of the UAW's political experience," said Paula Gutierrez, teaching assistant and international student at UC San Diego.
This announcement coincides with Campus Equity Week, a nationwide effort to promote fairness and equity for all university employees.
UAW Local 2865 is the union that represents over 10,000 academic student employees at the University of California.
Media Contacts: Beth Rayfield, President, Local 2865, 949-476-0100.
Dan Lawson, Vice-President Elect, Local 2865, 831-423-9737
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New Contract Ratified!
October 12, 2007
Members around the state voted by a 96% margin to ratify the new contract with the University. The new contract includes many new rights and benefits.
To check out highlights from the new contract, click here:
http://www.uaw2865.org/rights/files/2865_contract_highlights.pdf
To check out the new contract, click here:
http://www.uaw2865.org/rights/files/UAW_UC_07_09.pdf
To see the press release announcing contract ratification, click here:
http://www.uaw2865.org/news/files/UAWContract_Press_071012.pdf
For more information or to get more involved, please respond to this email, or call your campus’ office.
Solidarity,
Susie Keller
UAW Elections Committee Chair
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Take Action Now
Call the Provosts, Chancellors,
and Executive Vice Chancellors
Send the Message: Avert the ULP Strike, Bargain Fairly Now
UAW Local 2865, the union representing over 12,000 Teaching Assistants, Graders and Tutors at the University of California, has been negotiating for a new agreement with UC since March. The current contract expires this Sunday – September 30.
Because of the University’s bad faith bargaining, there is a strong chance that Academic Student Employees will be forced to strike. In fact, over 6,500 of our members from around the state have signed-on to a public statement, promising to hold the University accountable for their stalling with direct action.
Local 2865's bargaining team remains optimistic that agreement can be reached with the University by Sunday. However, the UAW needs your help to put pressure on University administrators to negotiate fairly and settle a contract.
Please help by taking action now. Call:
- UC Provost Rory Hume @ (510) 987-9020,
- the Chancellor at your nearest UC campus, and
- the Executive Vice Chancellor at your nearest UC campus
...and urge her/him to take action to bargain fairly and avert a strike NOW. You can find the contact information for all the UC Chancellors and Executive Vice Chancellors below:
| Campus |
Chancellor |
Executive Vice Chancellors |
| Berkeley |
Robert J. Birgeneau
(510) 642-7464 |
George W. Breslauer
510-642-1961 |
|
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| Merced |
Steve Kang
(209) 228-4417 |
Keith Alley
(209) 228-4439 |
|
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|
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|
| Davis |
Larry Vanderhoef
(530) 752-2065 |
Barbara Horwitz
(530) 752-4964 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Santa Cruz |
George Blumenthal
(831) 459-2058 |
David Kliger
(831) 459-2058 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Santa Barbara |
Henry T. Yang
(805) 893-2231 |
Gene Lucas
(805) 893-2785 |
|
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|
|
|
|
| Los Angeles |
Gene Block
(310) 825-2151 |
Scott L. Waugh
(310) 825-2052 |
|
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|
|
|
|
| Irvine |
Michael V. Drake
(949) 824-5111 |
Michael R. Gottfredson
949.824.6296 |
|
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|
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|
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| Riverside |
Robert Grey
(951) 827-5201 |
Ellen A. Wartella
(951) 827-5034 |
|
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|
|
|
| San Diego |
Marye Anne Fox
(858) 534-3135 |
Marjorie Caserio
(858) 534-0099
or
Paul Drake
(858) 534-6073 |
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UAW 2865 Bargaining Update: UAW 2865 Files Charges Against UC Admin, Will Strike If Necessary
September 27, 2007
With four days until the expiration of our contract, the University of California administration continues to stall negotiations. As a result, our bargaining committee is filing dozens of unfair labor practice (ULP) charges against the UC today.
If you have been following our regular bargaining updates, you know that these practices of stalling, withholding pertinent information, and sending people to the table who do not have the authority to make agreements constitute an ongoing obstructionist trend since negotiations began in March. The bargaining committee remains committed to doing everything in our power to reach an agreement with the university administration by September 30th. However, if the administration continues to bargain in bad-faith , we are prepared to call a strike.
You can see our press release on filing ULP charges here: http://www.uaw2865.org/news/current.php
We’ve also received strong support from the UC Student Association: http://www.uaw2865.org/news/files/UCSA_Press_Release_09252007.pdf
Meetings to prepare for the expiration of our contract are currently being held in departments and hiring units across campus. If you’re not already involved, the time is now! Your campus’ contact information is provided below.
In solidarity,
UAW 2865 Bargaining Committee
Tarone Bittner, Davis Unit Chair
Toi Carter, Riverside Recording Secretary
Meaghan Chadwick, Merced Unit Chair
Clinton Christensen, San Diego Recording Secretary
Cassandra Engeman, Santa Barbara Recording Secretary
Michelle Gallagher, Los Angeles Unit Chair
Tim Gutierrez, Davis Recording Secretary
Adam Hefty, Santa Cruz Recording Secretary
Samantha Iyer, Berkeley Recording Secretary
Jamie Keeton, Los Angeles Recording Secretary
Daraka Larimore-Hall, Santa Barbara Unit Chair
Christine Petit, Riverside Unit Chair
Dan Roth, Berkeley Unit Chair
David Selby, San Diego Unit Chair
Sara Smith, Santa Cruz Unit Chair
Coral Wheeler, Irvine Recording Secretary
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UAW 2865 Bargaining Update: Administration Stalling Continues; Parents Speak to Need for Family Friendly Contract Provisions; Futher Information on UAW Economic Proposals
September 24, 2007
For the last two weeks of bargaining (Sept. 10-12 and Sept. 18-20), the university administration did not respond with counter-proposals on any of our outstanding proposals, including wages, fees, healthcare, child care, and leaves. Nor did the administration give us any new information relevant to health care or any other issues.
During the most recent session, academic student employee parents from the Southern California area took time out of their busy schedules, in one case with child in tow, to speak their mind on the administration’s dubious claim that existing UC childcare facilities are cost effective and sufficient. Parents unable to attend from campuses farther away sent in testimonials illustrating how unfriendly university policies are to workers with families. They told moving stories about two-year wait lists for university-subsidized child care programs and testified to child care expenses that often exceed a Teaching Assistant’s monthly salary.
Our economic proposals are out there, on the table. It is well past time for the administration to provide counter-proposals. While we await their response, please take a moment to get more familiar with our economic proposals. If you follow the links below, you’ll find four articles constituting a more detailed and context specific depiction of our economic proposals:
Wages at UC Uncompetitive, Grossly Inadequate to Cover Cost of Living
Expanded UC Fee Remission Program Necessary for California
Wal Mart or UC? When it comes to health care, it's hard to tell the difference
ASE Parents Speak Out on UC’s Anti-Family Policies
This week the final stretch of negotiations begins. We are scheduled to be bargaining from Wednesday the 26th until Sunday the 30th. We will keep you updated as the situation develops. To find information about our current contract or how to get in touch with leaders on your campus, please visit www.uaw2865.org.
In solidarity,
UAW 2865 Bargaining Committee
Tarone Bittner, Davis Unit Chair
Toi Carter, Riverside Recording Secretary
Meaghan Chadwick, Merced Unit Chair
Clinton Christensen, San Diego Recording Secretary
Cassandra Engeman, Santa Barbara Recording Secretary
Michelle Gallagher, Los Angeles Unit Chair
Tim Gutierrez, Davis Recording Secretary
Adam Hefty, Santa Cruz Recording Secretary
Samantha Iyer, Berkeley Recording Secretary
Jamie Keeton, Los Angeles Recording Secretary
Daraka Larimore-Hall, Santa Barbara Unit Chair
Christine Petit, Riverside Unit Chair
Dan Roth, Berkeley Unit Chair
David Selby, San Diego Unit Chair
Sara Smith, Santa Cruz Unit Chair
Coral Wheeler, Irvine Recording Secretary
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UAW 2865 Bargaining Update: Administration Proposes Cuts Across the Board; UAW Stands Firm
September 12, 2007
SUMMARY: Our bargaining team met with the university administration again September 5-7. The administration presented responses to several of our economic proposals. Unfortunately, the administration’s proposals were unacceptable and did not set a positive tone for upcoming negotiations. The proposals were unresponsive to members’ concerns about childcare and represented effective cuts in wages, fee remissions, and health benefits.
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WAGES: the administration’s wage proposal called for a cut in real wages. They are proposing no guaranteed wage increases; instead, they are proposing increases of less than 2%, if the state budget allows, which will not keep up with inflation in California.
Furthermore, the administration’s wage proposal would not begin to address the gap in ASE financial support between the University of California and competing institutions, which the UC administration itself has identified as a key problem (see the update sent on 8/27 for more details). When pressed on this gap, an administration spokesperson suggested that it might be filled through “personal and familial sources of support,” as if readers, tutors, and TAs were independently wealthy.
HEALTH BENEFITS AND FEE REMISSIONS: the administration proposed to abolish 100% fee remissions by capping remission of education and registration fees and health insurance premiums at the 2007-08 dollar amount. Future increases in fees or insurance premiums would not be covered. With fees rising 8-10% per year or more and health insurance costs rising 6-15% per year or more, this represents a substantial cut in real wages.
The administration’s plan to pass these costs on to employees does not begin to address our proposal for a comprehensive healthcare system that includes employees and their dependents and a fee remission program that covers the entire cost of tuition and fees for employees. The administration has also consistently failed to provide vital information we need to bargain over healthcare and other outstanding issues.
CHILDCARE: the administration rejected our proposal to subsidize employee childcare costs though they recognized the need for a childcare program. One university spokesperson accurately characterized our proposal as “a subsidy program to enhance an [employee’s] ability to matriculate, be gainfully employed and contribute to the mission of the university.”
The next day, another university representative, in rejecting our proposal, said, “The University believes that there are sufficient child care resources provided to most of the individuals that you represent, and those programs are both effective and cost effective…. They provide services at a reasonable cost, recognizing the financial needs of the students.” This remark displayed an arrogant disregard for the realities of life for teaching assistants, readers, and tutors with children, who more often than not face lengthy waitlists and programs that absorb at least half of their monthly wages.
SUMMER SESSION: the administration also was unresponsive to our proposal for rights and wages during summer session equal to those of the rest of the academic year.
Undoubtedly the Administration’s subsequent proposals will reflect some improvements; however, their current proposals have a long, long way to go, and they start off in the wrong direction.
The administration appears to be bargaining in bad faith. Nevertheless, despite their stalling tactics and continual failure to provide meaningful information, we are working hard to get a strong contract by the expiration date of the current agreement, September 30.
The active participation of members around the state has been inspiring, and it will be essential to shake the administration out of its recalcitrance. If you would like more information or would like to get involved, reply to this email or visit http://www.uaw2865.org/contact/contact.php.
Our next bargaining session with the administration is September 10-12.
In solidarity,
UAW 2865 Bargaining Committee
Tarone Bittner, Davis Unit Chair
Toi Carter, Riverside Recording Secretary
Meaghan Chadwick, Merced Unit Chair
Clinton Christensen, San Diego Recording Secretary
Cassandra Engeman, Santa Barbara Recording Secretary
Michelle Gallagher, Los Angeles Unit Chair
Tim Gutierrez, Davis Recording Secretary
Adam Hefty, Santa Cruz Recording Secretary
Samantha Iyer, Berkeley Recording Secretary
Jamie Keeton, Los Angeles Recording Secretary
Daraka Larimore-Hall, Santa Barbara Unit Chair
Christine Petit, Riverside Unit Chair
Dan Roth, Berkeley Unit Chair
David Selby, San Diego Unit Chair
Sara Smith, Santa Cruz Unit Chair
Coral Wheeler, Irvine Recording Secretary
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UAW 2865 Bargaining Update: Stalling and Delaying Tactics Continue
September 5, 2007
Our bargaining team met again with the UC administration on Monday, August 27th and Tuesday, August 28th. Unfortunately, the meeting was generally unproductive, as the administration continued with their old shenanigans of stalling and delaying.
We spent most of the time waiting for the administration to finish with their internal meetings and come to the bargaining table. When they finally came to the table, they failed to make counterproposals and they continued to be difficult about scheduling additional bargaining sessions.
Despite this response, we remain optimistic that we can compel the administration to bargain lawfully so we have a fair contract by the end of September. We will be taking a break from bargaining to celebrate the Labor Day holiday, before we meet again with the university on the 5th, 6th, and 7th of September.
To find information about our current contract or how to get in touch with leaders on your campus, please visit www.uaw2865.org.
In solidarity,
UAW 2865 Bargaining Committee
Tarone Bittner, Davis Unit Chair
Toi Carter, Riverside Recording Secretary
Meaghan Chadwick, Merced Unit Chair
Clinton Christensen, San Diego Recording Secretary
Cassandra Engeman, Santa Barbara Recording Secretary
Michelle Gallagher, Los Angeles Unit Chair
Tim Gutierrez, Davis Recording Secretary
Adam Hefty, Santa Cruz Recording Secretary
Samantha Iyer, Berkeley Recording Secretary
Jamie Keeton, Los Angeles Recording Secretary
Daraka Larimore-Hall, Santa Barbara Unit Chair
Christine Petit, Riverside Unit Chair
Dan Roth, Berkeley Unit Chair
David Selby, San Diego Unit Chair
Sara Smith, Santa Cruz Unit Chair
Coral Wheeler, Irvine Recording Secretary
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UAW 2865 Bargaining Update: Wages, Childcare, Fees and Leaves Proposals Hit the Table; Healthcare Discussion Heats Up
August 27, 2007
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Summary: This bargaining session, we gave the university our proposals on wages, childcare, fee remissions and leaves. The healthcare discussion heated up, as the administration continued to withhold critical information. Although the administration has returned to its old ways of using stalling tactics, we reached a tentative agreement on the grievance and arbitration article.
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According to reports from the University of California Office of the President, our wages are inadequate for the areas we live in while the financial packages for academic student employees are not comparable with the packages students receive at competing universities. You can read the reports yourself from the university’s own websites by visiting http://www.uaw2865.org/news/current.php.
Our wages and fee remissions proposals would help close this competitiveness gap. The wages proposal would provide a one-time pay increase to make up for how far we’ve fallen behind, as well as guaranteed pay increases each year to ensure we stay ahead of the rising cost of living. Our fee remissions proposal would cover all fees for all employees, including campus fees, professional fees, and non-resident tuition.
For academic student employees with children, these financial problems are magnified. Currently, the contract provides us no childcare assistance and there is a lengthy waiting list to get into on-campus childcare facilities. Our childcare proposal would provide a stipend to cover off-campus or on-campus childcare.
We are also proposing a comprehensive leaves package similar to those offered at other universities. Currently, most leaves are provided at the sole discretion of the university. Our proposal includes paid sick leave, paid bereavement leave, paid legal and administrative leave, and paid family and medical leave (which includes paid childbearing and paternity leave).
With regards to our health-benefits proposal, the administration continued to demand that our union pay a high-priced consulting firm to gather data that is necessary to obtain quotes from insurance providers. We invited a healthcare expert with experience in contract negotiations who explained that a client as big as the University of California could easily obtain the necessary information from their current insurance providers at no cost. In response, the administration insisted on using their current research process no matter how inefficient and expensive.
The administration has returned to its old ways of stalling meaningful discussion of critical issues. We proposed numerous dates to meet for additional bargaining sessions, but the administration has been uncooperative in scheduling dates.
On one positive note, we reached a tentative agreement on the grievances and arbitration article. Previously the administration had proposed bureaucratic changes that would have weakened our ability to enforce our rights, but our tentative agreement preserves the status quo—a fair and efficient grievance procedure. In exchange, we agreed to keep the current list of holidays rather than push for additional official days off.
To find information about our current contract or how to get in touch with leaders on your campus, please visit www.uaw2865.org. We are meeting with the university this week but, as discussed above, it is unclear which days we will be meeting. We’ll send you more updates as bargaining progresses.
In solidarity,
UAW 2865 Bargaining Committee
Tarone Bittner, Davis Unit Chair
Toi Carter, Riverside Recording Secretary
Meaghan Chadwick, Merced Unit Chair
Clinton Christensen, San Diego Recording Secretary
Cassandra Engeman, Santa Barbara Recording Secretary
Michelle Gallagher, Los Angeles Unit Chair
Tim Gutierrez, Davis Recording Secretary
Adam Hefty, Santa Cruz Recording Secretary
Samantha Iyer, Berkeley Recording Secretary
Jamie Keeton, Los Angeles Recording Secretary
Daraka Larimore-Hall, Santa Barbara Unit Chair
Christine Petit, Riverside Unit Chair
Dan Roth, Berkeley Unit Chair
David Selby, San Diego Unit Chair
Sara Smith, Santa Cruz Unit Chair
Coral Wheeler, Irvine Recording Secretary
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UAW 2865 Bargaining Update: Tentative Agreements Reached on Two Key Articles
August 23, 2007
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Summary: Our August 13-14 bargaining session proved productive in two key areas: 1) we came to a tentative agreement on the employment files and evaluations article; and 2) we established an electronic method of membership card processing.
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Our August 13-14 bargaining session with the UC administration proved productive in two key areas. First, we came to a tentative agreement regarding our employment files and evaluations. We retained our right to correct incorrect factual information and to append material to our file. We also won the right to be notified when new material is added to our employment files, which will allow us to review and contest the materials if necessary.
Second, we came to an agreement with the administration to establish an electronic method of processing membership cards and other pertinent information. This will significantly cut down on the amount of time our union spends on processing and reprocessing paperwork, which will also free up more time for union activists to keep in touch with our membership, let people know about our employment rights, and enforce our contract.
We also got the administration to drop some of its proposals that were aimed at reducing our job security and rights as union members.
We are currently bargaining with the administration from August 21-23, and our next bargaining session is slated for August 27-28. If you have any questions or would like to get more involved, please visit www.uaw2865.org for campus-specific contact information and to check out the current contract.
In solidarity,
UAW 2865 Bargaining Committee
Tarone Bittner, Davis Unit Chair
Toi Carter, Riverside Recording Secretary
Meaghan Chadwick, Merced Unit Chair
Clinton Christensen, San Diego Recording Secretary
Cassandra Engeman, Santa Barbara Recording Secretary
Michelle Gallagher, Los Angeles Unit Chair
Tim Gutierrez, Davis Recording Secretary
Adam Hefty, Santa Cruz Recording Secretary
Samantha Iyer, Berkeley Recording Secretary
Jamie Keeton, Los Angeles Recording Secretary
Daraka Larimore-Hall, Santa Barbara Unit Chair
Christine Petit, Riverside Unit Chair
Dan Roth, Berkeley Unit Chair
David Selby, San Diego Unit Chair
Sara Smith, Santa Cruz Unit Chair
Coral Wheeler, Irvine Recording Secretary
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UAW 2865 Bargaining Update: UAW, UC Administration Reach Tentative Agreement on Non-Discrimination; UC Unresponsive on other Proposals
August 17, 2007
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Summary: In our August 7-9 bargaining session, our union and the UC administration came to tentative agreement on the nondiscrimination article. In addition, the administration presented us with a proposal on posting which was unresponsive to our central concerns. We, on the other hand, presented them with our comprehensive health proposal. The administration continues to bargain at a glacial pace and employ obstructionist tactics to delay progress.
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In our bargaining session on August 7-9, we reached an agreement with the UC administration which bars discrimination on the basis of pregnancy and gender identity. This agreement contains a broad and cutting-edge definition of gender identity, which includes protections around gender expression. This progress is essential in fully protecting gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex people against discrimination and keeps our union at the forefront of the fight for social justice.
The administration finally countered our proposal on the posting of job opportunities and hiring policies. We consider their proposal to be unresponsive to our demand that they institute deadlines for departments to post information about available positions and make hiring decisions more transparent.
Our bargaining team also presented our comprehensive proposal to strengthen our health benefits. The proposal creates programs to expand health benefits to undergraduate employees and to our family members in addition to closing up gaps in existing coverage with supplemental benefits for dental, vision, prescription, and transgender needs. The proposal also establishes a health reimbursement fund to pay health costs not covered by these programs.
The administration has, unfortunately, been using a number of obstructionist tactics to delay progress on the important issue of health benefits. For instance, they have claimed that our union has no right to essential data about its members’ health care and they have refused to give us information on adding benefits unless we pay to bring in their overpriced consultants.
Despite the administration’s general unresponsiveness, we consider the tentative agreement to protect teaching assistants, tutors and readers from discrimination based on pregnancy or gender identity a significant victory.
To find information about our current contract or how to get in touch with leaders on your campus, please visit: www.uaw2865.org/news/bargaining.php. We met with the administration on August 13-14 and will meet with them again on the 21st through 23nd. We’ll send you more updates soon.
In solidarity,
UAW 2865 Bargaining Committee
Tarone Bittner, Davis Unit Chair
Toi Carter, Riverside Recording Secretary
Meaghan Chadwick, Merced Unit Chair
Clinton Christensen, San Diego Recording Secretary
Cassandra Engeman, Santa Barbara Recording Secretary
Michelle Gallagher, Los Angeles Unit Chair
Tim Gutierrez, Davis Recording Secretary
Adam Hefty, Santa Cruz Recording Secretary
Samantha Iyer, Berkeley Recording Secretary
Jamie Keeton, Los Angeles Recording Secretary
Daraka Larimore-Hall, Santa Barbara Unit Chair
Christine Petit, Riverside Unit Chair
Dan Roth, Berkeley Unit Chair
David Selby, San Diego Unit Chair
Sara Smith, Santa Cruz Unit Chair
Coral Wheeler, Irvine Recording Secretary
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UAW 2865 Bargaining Update: UC Inches Toward a Better Contract; Miles of Progress to Go
August 6, 2007
Our union bargaining team met with the UC Administration Thursday and Friday, July 27 and 28. We had productive exchanges over several important topics. However, much more progress is needed for us to achieve our goal of getting a strong new contract by September 30 (the expiration date of the current contract).
We made progress in strengthening our non-discrimination rights; the administration’s latest proposal was responsive to ours, including protections against discrimination due to pregnancy and gender identity.
We also exchanged proposals with the administration over workload and appointment notification. Although we had productive discussions about our concerns on workload and appointment notification issues, the administration’s proposals only address vague possibilities rather than enforceable rights.
The administration moved towards our proposal to address the concern that many employees are working unreasonably long hours to finish work, typically during midterms and finals weeks. Unfortunately, their proposal excluded readers and tutors, while the protections for TAs were too weak to be acceptable.
Our website has been recently updated. There you can find contact information for your campus’s bargaining team members or check out the current contract. You can also read a summary of the initial proposals that the union and the administration exchanged at the start of bargaining in the spring. Our next bargaining session with the administration will take place August 7-9.
In solidarity,
UAW 2865 Bargaining Committee
Tarone Bittner, Davis Unit Chair
Toi Carter, Riverside Recording Secretary
Meaghan Chadwick, Merced Unit Chair
Clinton Christensen, San Diego Recording Secretary
Cassandra Engeman, Santa Barbara Recording Secretary
Michelle Gallagher, Los Angeles Unit Chair
Tim Gutierrez, Davis Recording Secretary
Adam Hefty, Santa Cruz Recording Secretary
Samantha Iyer, Berkeley Recording Secretary
Jamie Keeton, Los Angeles Recording Secretary
Daraka Larimore-Hall, Santa Barbara Unit Chair
Christine Petit, Riverside Unit Chair
Dan Roth, Berkeley Unit Chair
David Selby, San Diego Unit Chair
Sara Smith, Santa Cruz Unit Chair
Coral Wheeler, Irvine Recording Secretary
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UAW 2865 Bargaining Update: Progress Made in Setting the Tone for Upcoming Bargaining
June 27, 2007
The recent grade-in/tutor-in turned out over a thousand TA’s, readers, and tutors across seven campuses, highlighting our demand for better protections against excessive workload. This action was a success! Our willingness to take action around important issues is a vital part of negotiations. Many thanks to all those who participated.
In the bargaining session that took place June 18th and 19th, we made progress towards adding protections against discrimination on the basis of pregnancy or gender identity. This discussion will continue into the next bargaining session and we are hopeful that a tentative agreement can be reached in this area fairly soon.
Though we are still focusing on non-economic issues before moving to topics such as wages and benefits, we began preliminary discussions on healthcare and we agreed to devote some time towards this important topic during the next bargaining sessions.
Fruitful discussions on complex issues such as healthcare are hindered if the union is not informed of relevant facts. In fact, the administration has a legal obligation to provide the union with information relevant to bargaining. Unfortunately, we had to remind the administration that they have not yet fulfilled their obligation to address our requests for information on healthcare.
The next bargaining session will take place on July 9th and 10th. Please visit our newly revamped homepage http://www.uaw2865.org for campus-specific contact information and to check out the current contract.
In solidarity,
UAW 2865 Bargaining Committee
Tarone Bittner, Davis Unit Chair
Toi Carter, Riverside Recording Secretary
Meaghan Chadwick, Merced Unit Chair
Clinton Christensen, San Diego Recording Secretary
Cassandra Engeman, Santa Barbara Recording Secretary
Michelle Gallagher, Los Angeles Unit Chair
Tim Gutierrez, Davis Recording Secretary
Adam Hefty, Santa Cruz Recording Secretary
Samantha Iyer, Berkeley Recording Secretary
Jamie Keeton, Los Angeles Recording Secretary
Daraka Larimore-Hall, Santa Barbara Unit Chair
Christine Petit, Riverside Unit Chair
Dan Roth, Berkeley Unit Chair
David Selby, San Diego Unit Chair
Sara Smith, Santa Cruz Unit Chair
Coral Wheeler, Irvine Recording Secretary
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UAW Action Reminder and Bargaining Update: Now's the Time to Send a Strong Message to UC Admin!
June 11, 2007
When we began our contract negotiations with the university administration earlier this spring, both parties agreed to concentrate on non-economic issues (e.g., workload) before focusing on economic issues (e.g., wages). This was the case with our most recent round of negotiations, which took place on June 4th and 5th, and we anticipate that the next few bargaining sessions will also be devoted to non-economic issues.
Several proposals were exchanged at this session, but the bulk of the time was spent discussing our proposals on workload, appointment notification, and the posting of jobs. Throughout these discussions, we highlighted the importance of transparency in how hiring decisions are made and what is expected of us as employees. Again, UC admin dismissed this need and insisted that added transparency would be "problematic."
We also stressed the importance of having workload disputes resolved by a neutral third-party arbitrator. The admin balked at this proposal citing the "unique" approaches taken by professors in assigning workload; something, they argued, an "outsider" (i.e., an arbitrator with extensive knowledge of employment issues) could not understand.
Despite this, we were able to engage in productive discussions over workload. We again emphasized the impact of increasing class, section, and lab sizes on the amount and type of work we do as tutors, readers, and teaching assistants as well as our overall working conditions.
However, by the end of the meeting, the admin fell back into their old habit of stalling and refused to offer us a counterproposal on our workload article, going back on their agreement to bargain over this issue.
In light of the administration's stalling tactics, it's crucial that you participate in the grade-in/tutor-in actions that are taking place on all of the quarter campuses this finals week. Join us in sending the admin a strong message that these issues are important to us, and we'll take that message back to our next bargaining session on June 18th!
Please visit www.uaw2865.org for campus-specific contact information and to check out the current contract.
In solidarity,
UAW 2865 Bargaining Committee
Tarone Bittner, Davis Unit Chair
Toi Carter, Riverside Recording Secretary
Meaghan Chadwick, Merced Unit Chair
Clinton Christensen, San Diego Recording Secretary
Cassandra Engeman, Santa Barbara Recording Secretary
Michelle Gallagher, Los Angeles Unit Chair
Tim Gutierrez, Davis Recording Secretary
Adam Hefty, Santa Cruz Recording Secretary
Samantha Iyer, Berkeley Recording Secretary
Jamie Keeton, Los Angeles Recording Secretary
Daraka Larimore-Hall, Santa Barbara Unit Chair
Christine Petit, Riverside Unit Chair
Dan Roth, Berkeley Unit Chair
David Selby, San Diego Unit Chair
Sara Smith, Santa Cruz Unit Chair
Coral Wheeler, Irvine Recording Secretary
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UAW Bargaining Update: UC Administration Stalls, UAW Pushes forward on Workload Protections and Employment Rights
May 29, 2007
On May 21st and 22nd we met with the UC administration after agreeing to negotiate over our workload protections and access to important information concerning our employment.
Unfortunately, the administration stalled negotiations by coming to our meeting unprepared to negotiate and by sending a chief negotiator who did not have the authority to make decisions. This is not surprising, given that the administration has a history of using stalling tactics to undermine bargaining.
We succeeded, however, in getting the administration to engage in substantive discussions by the second day of negotiations. Class and section sizes are ballooning every year, which has an impact both on us as workers and on the quality of education at the university. Solutions need to be proactive, preventing excessive workload before it becomes a problem.
Our prior proposal includes such solutions. However, although the administration finally admitted that class size does impact our workload, their counterproposal, given on May 22nd, did not address this issue.
The administration was also unresponsive to our concerns about improving the university’s practice of notifying TAs, readers and tutors of job appointments. It’s important to be notified earlier of job opportunities and job offers so that we can plan our lives, without having to scramble to find jobs at the last minute.
Although the administration has been dragging its feet on these important issues, our bargaining team, which consists of teaching assistants, readers and tutors, intends to secure a strong, new contract before the end of September and will continue to push the university to do what’s right.
Our next bargaining session is scheduled for June 4th and 5th. We plan to negotiate over employee workload and transparency in employment policies (including job posting requirements and access to employment files) and we expect the administration will come prepared to bargain.
Of course, our union is only as strong as its members. If you have any questions or want to get involved, please contact your campus union office. A copy of our current contract is also available on this site.
In solidarity,
UAW 2865 Bargaining Committee
Tarone Bittner, Davis Unit Chair
Toi Carter, Riverside Recording Secretary
Meaghan Chadwick, Merced Unit Chair
Cassandra Engeman, Santa Barbara Recording Secretary
Michelle Gallagher, Los Angeles Unit Chair
Tim Gutierrez, Davis Recording Secretary
Adam Hefty, Santa Cruz Recording Secretary
Samantha Iyer, Berkeley Recording Secretary
Jamie Keeton, Los Angeles Recording Secretary
Daraka Larimore-Hall, Santa Barbara Unit Chair
Christine Petit, Riverside Unit Chair
Dan Roth, Berkeley Unit Chair
David Selby, San Diego Unit Chair
Sara Smith, Santa Cruz Unit Chair
Coral Wheeler, Irvine Recording Secretary
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Bargaining Update: Strengthening Our Rights on Workload Protections, Job Postings, & Employment Files
May 15, 2007
The UAW Local 2865 bargaining team met May 7 and 8 with representatives of the University of California. We had frank exchanges over several issues of importance to teaching assistants, readers, and tutors.
WORKLOAD
Class, Section, and Lab Size: The union is proposing to limit out-of-control classroom size growth, which would both increase the quality of education and prevent excessive workload. The university reiterated its opposition to bargaining over this issue several times, but eventually engaged in dialogue.
Tutoring No-Shows: The union is proposing that all tutors should be guaranteed pay for their tutoring sessions when their students fail to show-up. Though university representatives seemed affronted by the idea, it is important for tutors to be compensated in these situations.
Expedited Workload Arbitration: We need a fairer, more efficient process for resolving issues where employees have excessive workload. We want to make sure workload issues are resolved swiftly, by a neutral, third-party arbitrator.
EMPLOYMENT FILES
Currently, the university does NOT notify employees when new material is added to their employment files The university should notify employees whenever new material is added and employees should be able to correct any incorrect information in the file.
POSTING
The university should post employment opportunities on its website at least 60 days before the start of any term and departments should post their hiring criteria and policies on their websites. Though the university rejected this proposal, this information is essential for the transparent functioning of the university.
UNIVERSITY PROPOSALS
The university made several proposals as well, which were unresponsive to the needs and concerns of tutors, readers, and TAs. Among these was a proposal to eliminate certain job titles, such as the Teaching Fellow title at several campuses. The union's proposal would utilize these titles to create a "step system" which rewards experienced employees with higher pay.
The university representatives' attitude in negotiations varied from hostility towards our concerns, refusing to engage with their substance and asserting that many of our proposals fall within their "managerial rights"-but at times they engaged in productive dialogue.
We hope that the latter approach continues, but it will require membership involvement to achieve our goals for a strong fourth contract. If you have questions or would like to get more involved, please contact your campus office. A copy of the current contract is also available on the website.
In solidarity,
UAW 2865 Bargaining Committee
Tarone Bittner, Davis Unit Chair
Toi Carter, Riverside Recording Secretary
Meaghan Chadwick, Merced Unit Chair
Cassandra Engeman, Santa Barbara Recording Secretary
Michelle Gallagher, Los Angeles Unit Chair
Tim Gutierrez, Davis Recording Secretary
Adam Hefty, Santa Cruz Recording Secretary
Samantha Iyer, Berkeley Recording Secretary
Jamie Keeton, Los Angeles Recording Secretary
Daraka Larimore-Hall, Santa Barbara Unit Chair
Christine Petit, Riverside Unit Chair
Dan Roth, Berkeley Unit Chair
David Selby, San Diego Unit Chair
Sara Smith, Santa Cruz Unit Chair
Coral Wheeler, Irvine Recording Secretary
Kelly Wurtz, San Diego Recording Secretary
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Bargaining Update: UC Wants to Roll Back Our Benefits & Rights
April 22, 2007
The UAW Local 2865 bargaining team met Monday, April 16 with university representatives to discuss changes the university would like to make to our contract.
Unfortunately, the bargaining team was alarmed by the uncooperative, antiunion tactics of the university. The university is proposing to cut a number of critical benefits and roll back several groundbreaking union victories. Not only would these cuts and rollbacks have a negative financial impact on all our members, they would also undermine the ability of UC to continue to be competitive, encourage diversity, and attract the best and brightest.
FEE REMISSIONS
At the same time that we are proposing to expand the types of fees covered and who is eligible to receive remissions, the university is proposing to end full fee remissions for graduate-student employees, proposing instead to cap remissions. What this would mean is that whenever fees increase—which is the unfortunate trend—we would end up paying that increase out-of-pocket.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Additionally, under the current contract, many of us have our health insurance premium fully covered. Again, while we are proposing to expand the types of fees covered and who is eligible to receive remissions, the university is proposing to cap our health insurance premium remissions at a fixed dollar amount, thus transferring the rising cost of health care onto us. Given that the health plans at many campuses are already inadequate and steadily deteriorating, this proposal is unacceptable.
The university also made several proposals which would prevent teaching assistants, readers, and tutors from being informed of their rights, and which would limit our rights to express solidarity with workers in other campus unions.
The university is proposing to take us in the wrong direction. This is unacceptable. As bargaining continues, we will keep you informed of developments at the bargaining table and opportunities to participate in winning a great fourth contract. If you have questions or would like to get more involved, please reply to this message or contact your campus office. http://www.uaw2865.org/contact.html
In solidarity,
UAW 2865 Bargaining Committee
Tarone Bittner, Davis Unit Chair
Toi Carter, Riverside Recording Secretary
Meaghan Chadwick, Merced Unit Chair
Cassandra Engeman, Santa Barbara Recording Secretary
Michelle Gallagher, Los Angeles Unit Chair
Tim Gutierrez, Davis Recording Secretary
Adam Hefty, Santa Cruz Recording Secretary
Samantha Iyer, Berkeley Recording Secretary
Jamie Keeton, Los Angeles Recording Secretary
Daraka Larimore-Hall, Santa Barbara Unit Chair
Christine Petit, Riverside Unit Chair
Dan Roth, Berkeley Unit Chair
David Selby, San Diego Unit Chair
Sara Smith, Santa Cruz Unit Chair
Coral Wheeler, Irvine Recording Secretary
Kelly Wurtz, San Diego Recording Secretary
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UAW Local 2865 Bargaining Update
March 20, 2007
Our bargaining team has had the first of many meetings with the University. On March 13th, our team sat down with the University's bargaining team in order to explain our opening proposals and answer questions about them. On April 16th, the University will present their opening proposals to us. Negotiations will continue through the summer. We intend to have a new, strong contract by September 30 (the expiration date of the current contract).
We are bargaining to strengthen our contract through obtaining better health care, higher wages, campus fee remissions, non-resident tuition remissions, greater appointment rights and enforceable workload protections. We will be pushing for dependent health benefits (including coverage for domestic partners), as well as for trans-inclusive coverage. It is through bargaining for these issues that we hope to achieve our three goals: economic security, non-economic security and contributing to social justice.
If you have questions or would like to get more involved, call your campus office. We will keep you updated via email and at monthly membership meetings as things develop.
In solidarity,
UAW 2865 Bargaining Committee
Tarone Bittner, Davis Unit Chair
Toi Carter, Riverside Recording Secretary
Meaghan Chadwick, Merced Unit Chair
Cassandra Engeman, Santa Barbara Recording Secretary
Michelle Gallagher, Los Angeles Unit Chair
Tim Gutierrez, Davis Recording Secretary
Adam Hefty, Santa Cruz Recording Secretary
Samantha Iyer, Berkeley Recording Secretary
Jamie Keeton, Los Angeles Recording Secretary
Daraka Larimore-Hall, Santa Barbara Unit Chair
Christine Petit, Riverside Unit Chair
Dan Roth, Berkeley Unit Chair
David Selby, San Diego Unit Chair
Sara Smith, Santa Cruz Unit Chair
Coral Wheeler, Irvine Recording Secretary
Kelly Wurtz, San Diego Recording Secretary
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April 12, 2006
For Immediate Release
UAW Local 2865 Ratifies a New Agreement with University of California
Berkeley, California - Voting by members of UAW Local 2865 has now concluded across the state, and the Bargaining Team is pleased to announce that a third collective bargaining agreement with the University of California (UC) has been ratified by a 744 to 15 vote. This new agreement with the University preserves Academic Student Employees' (ASEs) benefits and protections, guarantees ASE's wage increase language, recognizes UC Merced as part of UAW Local 2865's bargaining unit, and has a duration of one year.
Contact: Scott Bailey (510) 549-3863
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March 13, 2006
For Immediate Release
UAW Local 2865 Announces a Tentative Agreement with University of California
Berkeley, California - The UAW and its Local 2865 and the University of California (UC) have reached a tentative agreement on the terms of a third collective bargaining agreement with a duration of one year. UAW Local 2865 represents over 12,000 Academic Student Employees (ASEs) working as Teaching Assistants, Readers, and Tutors at the nine teaching campuses of UC. The current agreement between UC and UAW Local 2865 was ratified on December 6, 2003 and is set to expire September 30, 2006. Details of the new agreement are being withheld from the public pending membership ratification at all nine campuses.
Contact: Scott Bailey (510) 549-3863
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December 6, 2003
For Immediate Release
UAW Local 2865 Membership Overwhelmingly Ratifies New Contract with UC
Berkeley - UAW Local 2865 announced today that academic student employees (ASEs) have voted overwhelmingly to ratify the tentative agreement that was reached on Tuesday, December 2 between the UAW and the University of California (UC). The vote was 1,682 in favor and 26 opposed.
"We are hopeful that this contract signals a new era of productive and cooperative labor relations between the Union and the University" said Rajan Mehta, a UAW Bargaining Team member from UC Berkeley.
Key features of the contract, effective through September 30, 2006, include:
All ASEs will receive a 1.5% minimum wage increase effective January 1, 2004, including a retroactive increase for Fall ASEs. Additionally, all ASEs will get a 1.5% general wage increase every time the senate faculty gets a merit increase, and will also receive any additional general wage increase given to the faculty.
Graduate student ASEs working at least 25% time will continue to receive a 100% remission of their education, registration, and health fees, despite the sharp increases in student fees and health care costs this year. Any future increases in these fees during the term of the contract will be covered.
The rights and benefits of summer session ASEs will be greatly improved, as they will receive near equivalent compensation as ASEs during the academic year, and gain rights that they were previously exempted from, such as workload protections, appointment notification, and appointment security.
The Union will be provided access to new employee orientations to inform all ASEs about their rights and benefits under the contract, and all new employees will receive a membership form when they sign other employment forms.
UAW Local 2865 represents over 11,000 ASEs working as Teaching Assistants, Readers and Tutors at the eight general teaching campuses of UC.
Contact: Rajan Mehta (510) 549-3863
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December 2, 2003
For Immediate Release
UAW Local 2865 to Strike at University of California beginning Thursday, December 4:
Academic Student Employees Protest UC's Unfair Labor Practices
Berkeley, California: UAW Local 2865 announced today that Teaching Assistants, Readers and Tutors will strike at the University of California beginning this Thursday, December 4. The UAW and the University began negotiations in March. By September 30, the UAW had filed 64 unfair labor practice charges against the University for bad-faith bargaining. On October 3, a majority of academic student employees (ASEs) statewide walked out in a one-day protest of these practices.
Talks between the Union and the University are continuing. While the University has begun to take a more productive, cooperative, and lawful approach to negotiations, it has not yet surmounted the obstacles created by the numerous unfair labor practices it has committed.
Our members are prepared to hold UC accountable for its unlawful bargaining practices, said Dan Lawson, President of UAW Local 2865. However, we remain hopeful that a strike can be averted.
Other UC unions have announced their support of the UAW. On November 17, the Coalition of University Employees (CUE), the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE-CWA) and the California Nurses Association (CNA) sent a joint letter to UC President Robert Dynes stating that they would encourage their members to honor any UAW picket lines. Together with the UAW, these unions represent two-thirds of the unionized workforce at UC.
UAW Local 2865 represents over 11,000 Teaching Assistants, Readers and Tutors at the eight undergraduate teaching campuses of the University of California. The UAW's contracts with the University of California expired at midnight on September 30.
Contacts:
Northern California: Rajan Mehta, 510-549-3863
Southern California: Beth Rayfield, 949-476-0100
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November 24, 2003
For Release on November 25, 2003
UAW Local 2865 Calls for Unfair Labor Practice Strike at University of California:
Strike To Start Next Week And Could Affect Finals
Berkeley, California: UAW Local 2865 announced today that its Bargaining Team has voted unanimously to call an unfair labor practice strike of Teaching Assistants, Readers and Tutors at the University of California. The strike will start during the last week of classes (December 15). The UAW and the University began negotiations in March. By September 30, the UAW had filed 64 unfair labor practice charges against the University for bad-faith bargaining. On October 3, a majority of academic student employees (ASEs) statewide walked out in a one-day protest of these practices.
We had a strong majority action on October 3, and we returned to work with the expectation of an improvement in the University's conduct at the table, said Rajan Mehta, a UAW Bargaining Team member from UC Berkeley. However, the University appears unwilling to bargain fairly.
The University has failed to remedy the 64 unfair labor practices which the UAW previously filed, and in fact has committed numerous additional unfair labor practices. In November, the UAW and the University entered voluntary, pre-impasse mediation in an attempt to reach a settlement. In the days preceding mediation, however, the UC retracted several proposals it had previously made to the UAW. In addition, the University continues to deny the Union information necessary for bargaining, send negotiators to the bargaining table who lack the necessary authority to reach an agreement, and otherwise interfere with the parties abilities to resolve the contract dispute.
Acknowledging that a strike will affect both teaching and grading activities, Chuong-Dai Vo, a UAW Bargaining Team member from UC San Diego said that, "We are vital to the UC's educational mission. We have tried repeatedly to get University negotiators to bargain in a productive, cooperative, and lawful manner without success. That's why we feel we have no alternative but to strike at this time even though we realize it will be disruptive to the entire university community."
Other UC unions have announced their support of the UAW in the upcoming strike. On November 17, the Coalition of University Employees (CUE), the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE-CWA) and the California Nurses Association (CNA) sent a joint letter to UC President Robert Dynes stating that they would encourage their members to honor the UAW picket lines. Together with the UAW, these unions represent two-thirds of the unionized workforce at UC.
We support the UAW in their struggle, said Claudia Horning, President of CUE, which represents 18,000 clerical employees at UC. It's time for the administration to live up to its legal obligations and respect the rights of its workers and their unions.
UAW Local 2865 represents over 11,000 Teaching Assistants, Readers and Tutors at the eight undergraduate teaching campuses of the University of California. The UAW's contracts with the University of California expired at midnight on September 30.
Contacts: Northern California: Rajan Mehta, 510-549-3863
Southern California: Beth Rayfield, 949-476-0100
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October 2, 2003
For Immediate Release
UAW Local 2865 Announces Unfair Labor Practice Strike at University of California
Berkeley, California: UAW Local 2865 announced today that Teaching Assistants, Readers and Tutors at the University of California will engage in a one-day unfair labor practice strike on Friday, October 3. The UAW and the University began negotiations in March. Since then, the Union has filed 64 unfair labor practice charges against the University for bargaining in bad faith.
Commenting on the fact that UC President Robert Dynes took office only yesterday, Dan Lawson, President of UAW Local 2865 said, "I hope it's not a sign of things to come. This is an inauspicious start for the Dynes administration in the area of labor relations."
On top of committing numerous unfair labor practices, UC caused talks to break down on September 30 by attempting to single out the UAW, among Unions with similar contract language, and demand that the UAW sacrifice the right to support other Unions' lawful labor actions.
"The University has recently concluded negotiations with other Unions without insisting that those Unions change their contract language to sacrifice the right to honor picket lines. It is unacceptable to single out the UAW and treat us differently," said Rajan Mehta, a UAW Bargaining Team member from UC Berkeley. "Moreover, if the UC administration truly wants to stop sympathy strikes, it should stop its unlawful and uncooperative labor relations practices that give rise to primary strikes."
"Our Union is all too familiar with UC's pattern of bad-faith bargaining," said Claudia Horning, President of the Coalition of University Employees, which represents 18,000 clerical employees at UC. She added, "We had to go on strike during our most recent contract negotiations to teach the administration what it means to obey the law and bargain in good faith. The UAW stood in solidarity with us then, and we plan on supporting them in their current struggle."
UAW Local 2865 represents over 10,000 Teaching Assistants, Readers and Tutors at the eight undergraduate teaching campuses of the University of California. The UAW's contracts with the University of California expired at midnight on September 30.
Contacts:
Northern California: Rajan Mehta, 510-549-3863
Southern California: Beth Rayfield, 949-476-0100
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