Strike by Teacher Aides at UC Has Impact

UC Berkeley graduate students who work as teaching assistants, research assistants and tutors began a two-day strike Wednesday over the issue of unionization. They estimated that 66% of undergraduate courses were canceled for the day as a result of the walkout.

However, university spokesman Tom Debley countered claims that the strike caused severe disruptions. “They did not shut the campus down,” Debley said.

Striking graduate students blocked the major entrances to campus, holding picket signs and asking passers-by to boycott classes in support of their demands for union representation and employee benefits. The strike is expected to end today.

“The university has been on a constant course of crushing unions,” said striker Andrew Keddie, a research assistant in entomology who joined 30 other pickets in front of the campus’ west entrance Wednesday morning. “If the university continues in its present course and there are no negotiations, there will be major action next semester.”

There was no formal measure of the impact Wednesday’s strike had on the campus, but a random survey by graduate students of 307 classes reportedly found that 206 were canceled, 72 were less than half full and 29 were at normal capacity.

The student government endorsed the strike, but some undergraduates were worried about the effect on final exams, which are only two weeks away. “I support what they’re doing. But I had to come to class because my teachers said you had to be here,” freshman Kristin Victor said.

Professors and graduate instructors who canceled classes received warning letters from the university’s vice chancellor early Wednesday stating that their pay would be docked unless they rescheduled classes. However, some departments are expected to ignore the letters.

Of about 3,200 teaching assistants, research assistants and tutors on campus, a majority belong to the Assn. of Graduate Student Employees, according to recent estimates. That association is affiliated with District 65 of the United Auto Workers and is seeking recognition as a bargaining unit from UC.

The strike occurs in the wake of an April 28 ruling by the State Public Employee Relations Board that graduate student instructors are not employees of the university because their work should be considered as part of their education and is not essential to the functioning of a university.

The association estimates that graduate students teach and conduct sessions for 58% of undergraduate courses at UC Berkeley.