UC Strike

As a UCLA alumnus, I am deeply disappointed to learn of the University of California’s refusal to recognize the union of graduate student employees (Dec. 2). When I was a student at UCLA, teaching assistants played a key role in my education and provided much of the one-on-one contact, which professors often can’t provide. Why should graduate student employees not have the same right as any other workers in the state of California--the right to collective bargaining?

Despite the frequent telephone solicitations from the UCLA alumni association, I will not be making any further contributions until the university recognizes the democratic rights of its students and employees and recognizes the union.

KEVIN RUDIGER

UCLA Class of 1995

Venice

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The Student Assn. of Graduate Employees/United Auto Workers, the union claiming to represent UCLA graduate students, is vehemently opposed by a substantial number of graduate students. It is supported almost entirely from within the larger humanities, social sciences and arts and architecture departments. Most of the students in the science departments, as well as in smaller programs and departments, do not wish unionization.

True, we are underpaid for our labor (artificially set at 10 or 20 hours per week, regardless of reality). Nonetheless, SAGE has repeatedly shown no interest in other issues. For instance, students with little or no opportunity to TA, or the disestablishment of the folklore and mythology graduate program at UCLA.

These are limited-duration strikes and consequently have no real effect; most graduate students are puzzled by the affiliation with the UAW; many SAGE organizers are nonstudent, full-time union employees.

ANTONE MINARD

Graduate Student, Folklore

and Mythology Program, UCLA

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I get a kick out of UCLA sociology professor Ruth Milkman, who is “not really in a position to” read her students’ 340 essays, lamenting the lack of teaching assistant(s) to plow through them.

She should try teaching English and marking essays at a California community college, where professors get no such help at all.

LEE MALLORY

Professor of English

Santa Ana College