As Postdocs, Academic Researchers, Student Researchers and Academic Student Employees prepare to strike over UC’s unlawful behavior this Monday, UC has once again released a “bargaining update” with misleading and incomplete information on what the university is offering to the workers who perform the majority of research and teaching. You can read a response to this update, which compares UC’s latest proposals to our unions’ latest proposals, here.
In their “bargaining update” UC trumpets wage increases but makes no mention of the fact that their offers are far below the rate of inflation and don’t address rent burden and/or cost of living. UC also highlights their plan to expand paid parental leave benefits for Academic Researchers and Postdocs, but leaves out the fact that their proposal would unfairly exclude about one-third of workers from this benefit. And UC doesn’t even mention other key demands Academic Workers have raised: longer appointments to increase job security and visa length, bridge funding for Academic Researchers, and reducing commuting costs and climate impacts.
While UC makes a last-ditch effort to get workers to believe that they should accept crumbs, workers are not backing down from our fight for dignity at work and a university that supports a diverse workforce.
Make sure to show your support for this unfair labor practice strike by signing up for picket shifts here.
You can find where you can sign up for strike pay on your campus here.
See you on the picket line!
In solidarity,
UAW 5810 Academic Researcher Bargaining Team
UAW 5810 Postdoc Bargaining Team