posting raw announcement: CSU TEACHING ASSISTANTS TO STRIKE WEDNESDAY

[mike_c]

Received this afternoon from the California Faculty Association:

SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM CFA

DECEMBER 9, 2008

CSU TEACHING ASSISTANTS TO STRIKE WEDNESDAY; WHAT FACULTY MEMBERS NEED TO KNOW

Teaching assistants, graduate assistants and instructional student assistants throughout the California State University system will begin a strike Wednesday following a stall in contract negotiations.

The sticking point in the negotiations between the Chancellor’s office and the approximately 4,000 CSU student employees -- who are represented by the United Auto Workers Local 4123 – is the CSU Administration’s refusal to include a fee waiver in their contract offer.

To find out where the picket line will be at your campus and to learn more, go to: www.uaw4123.org

In response to the strike, CFA President Lillian Taiz released the following statement:

“This is a reminder about the nature of Unit 3 work. We do not do work that is not assigned to us. If work has been assigned to another bargaining unit, it is not ours to do. However, if work otherwise assigned to another bargaining unit is specifically and explicitly assigned to us by university management, we have to perform it, unless to do so would create an unsafe working environment, but we should file a grievance.

“Also, in regards to supporting a sister union's strike and picket line, we need to abide by Article 9 of the faculty contract regarding concerted activities; however, whatever you do in your spare time when you are not scheduled for work is your choice. Moreover, if there are two or more entrances to a picketed building in which you have to perform work, one or more of which do not have a picket line, please choose an entrance without a picket line to enter the building.”

--END--

In solidarity,
Mike C.

[Omaha Steve]

1. K&R

Mike please keep us up to date.

[mike_c]

2. both of my teaching assistants plan to cross the picket line, I'm afraid....

It's their decision, of course, but I'm still a bit shocked. I support their union 100 percent, and *I* will not be crossing the lines, but both lab instructors I'm working with this semester informed me this afternoon that they will be in class tomorrow as scheduled. They view striking as a betrayal of their students. I think that's unfortunate, and although the class involved is a biological sciences laboratory, they could certainly follow the UAW's advice and use the opportunity for some broader labor education instead.

Sigh. Kids these days....

[mike_c]

3. job action postponed....

We were informed this morning that the UAW strike has been postponed pending further bargaining developments.

In solidarity,
Mike C.