With Talks Stalled, UC Teaching Aides Strike for a Day

Teaching assistants at UCLA and seven other University of California campuses staged a one-day strike Tuesday to protest what union leaders called unfair labor practices by university administrators.

The strike came as union and management representatives continued to meet with a mediator to kick-start negotiations aimed at producing what would be the first contract for the union representing 9,300 teaching assistants, readers and tutors.

So far, negotiations have been stalled.

“The goal is to pressure the university into coming into compliance with its legal obligations,” said Christian Sweeney, head of the local unit at UC Berkeley and statewide spokesman.

Union officials said the university has made unilateral changes in working conditions, including informing tutors on at least one campus that they must cut back their work hours or volunteer their time in exchange for course credit.

University officials deny all accusations of unfair practices.

“We don’t understand the need for a strike, given the progress that’s being made toward a contract,” said Brad Hayward, a UC spokesman. “We doubt there will be much of an impact and intend to remain focused on the negotiations.”

Picket lines of 10 to 60 graduate students had formed on each campus, UC officials said. There was minimal disruption of classes, they added.

Teaching assistants, readers and tutors do much of the direct instruction of freshmen and sophomores on UC campuses. As graduate students, they generally work half time in addition to pursuing advanced degrees.

Last year, the university recognized the union, which is affiliated with the United Auto Workers. But a contract has been more elusive.