Strikes

Univ. of Calif. Academic Workers Strike for Pay, Benefits

Published NOV 16 2022

Story

Image credit: The New York Times

The Facts

Coming just weeks before final exams, nearly 48K University of California (UC) teaching assistants, researchers, postdoctoral students, tutors, and graders have gone on strike in response to the rising cost of living. They're seeking higher pay and benefits, including childcare subsidies.
FOX News
Despite the strike, which is represented by the United Automobile Workers union, the roughly 300K-student university system said that its 10 campuses would remain open and that instruction and operations would continue.
nytimes
Workers are asking for annual base salaries of $54K, with the university offering a 5% pay increase in the first year and 3% thereafter. The unions declined the offer as inadequate and stated they have set no end date for the strike.
Sfgate
The strikes are particularly focused on housing costs, with UC campuses residing in some of the most expensive parts of California like Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Irvine. In a union survey, 92% of workers said housing consumed one-third of their paycheck while 40% said one-half.
nytimes
Beyond the base salary, the United Automobile Workers is requesting annual salaries of $70K for postdoctoral employees, a 14% pay raise for academic researchers, and “[a]nnual cost of living adjustments and experience-based increases.”
Daily Wire
In October, UC said it ratified a new four-year contract with its more than 13K clerical employees, library assistants, childcare teachers, and other administrative staff. After already conducting 50 bargaining sessions over the past weekend, it also proposed enlisting a private, third-party mediator.
FOX News

Sources Split

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RIGHT

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The Spin

Left narrative

For years these research assistants and teachers have worked tirelessly to ensure that UC schools remain prestigious learning environments. Housing prices are outrageous, which is why tens of thousands of workers across the state have decided to stand up in solidarity.

Los Angeles Times

Right narrative

The UC has bargained in good faith, yet this union-led strike has created massive disruptions to campus operations just ahead of finals. With classes being canceled, the ultimate end users of the UC system, students, are feeling the stress of this dispute.