SAGE continues push for union recognition

SAGE continues push for union recognition

SAGE addresses administration to avoid spring strike

By Betty Song

In order to avoid a spring quarter labor strike, members of the
graduate student employee union continued efforts to meet with
Chancellor Charles Young for the negotiation of union
recognition.

A letter requesting a meeting with Young was delivered to his
office by members of the union’s walkout committee. The committee
was authorized in a membership meeting in early March to call a
two-day strike after Apr. 2, in the event that continued attempts
to negotiate with the administration fail.

The most recent letter was a follow-up to the one sent to Young
during dead week of last quarter. The first letter initially
informed the chancellor of the committee’s role as negotiator
between the Student Association of Graduate Employees (SAGE) and
the administration.

The first letter requested that Young begin negotiations within
the week, asking for a response Mar. 14. This initial letter
elicited a response from Kathleen Komar, assistant dean of the
graduate division rather than from Young himself.

Komar’s letter stated that she was reiterating the chancellor’s
position that "he is following systemwide policy in not voluntarily
recognizing the union."

It also pointed out that the court case determining the
administration’s legal obligation to recognize the union is still
going on. As a result, the administration does not feel issues
surrounding recognition should be discussed at this time, the
letter stated.

Walkout committee members decided to send a second letter to the
chancellor requesting a response from Young himself, said walkout
committee members.

"There’s a qualitative difference because (the chancellor) is
the only one with the legal authority to recognize (SAGE),"
committee member Patrick Burns said.

The second letter asked that the chancellor engage in
negotiation efforts in light of the authorized walkout. In
addition, it requested that the chancellor reply by March 21.

Although Komar said she could not comment on what Young’s action
will be to the second letter without having seen it, walkout
committee members speculate two outcomes.

"The letter might be directed from Young to the graduate
division as a subtle message that the item is not important enough
(to be) brought to his attention," Burns said. "Or we may receive a
letter from Young saying roughly the same things (as Komar
said)."