Past Miscellaneous News & Press Releases:
Past Bargaining Updates & Press Releases:
2006 Bargaining:
2003 Bargaining:
back to top
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.
back to top
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)
back to top
***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.
back to top
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).
back to top
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."
back to top
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.
back to top
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.
back to top
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.
back to top
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.
back to top
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. Read more about the UAW Social Justice Award.
back to top
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. For a detailed outline of the UAW's position on immigration issues, and the rights of international student employees in particular, please visit the UAW's Community Action Program website. Additionally, 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.
back to top
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."
back to top
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.
back to top
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.
back to top
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.
back to top
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.
Read more about the UAW legislative priorities for 2006.
back to top
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.
back to top
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.
back to top
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.
back to top
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
back to top
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
back to top
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
back to top
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
back to top
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
back to top
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
back to top
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
back to top
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
back to top
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
back to top
