Student workers to negotiate with UC on health benefits, campus safety
(Daily Bruin file photo) UAW Local 2865, the UC student-workers union which represents teacher assistants and graduate student instructors, will begin collectively bargaining with the UC on Wednesday.
By Melissa Morris
Feb. 27, 2018 1:33 a.m.
University of California student workers plan to call for higher wages and protections against sexual harassment when they begin collectively bargaining with the UC on Wednesday.
The UC Student-Workers Union Local 2865, which represents student workers, including teaching assistants and graduate student instructors, is negotiating a new employment contract after the current contract expires June 30, 2018. The bargaining team will include union members from the nine UC campuses, according to a press release from the union.
UC spokesperson Stephanie Beechem said in an email the University has started exchanging information with the union about topics of discussion and hopes to reach a multiyear agreement.
The first round of negotiations will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the union’s statewide office in Berkeley and will continue at different UC campuses until the union and UC Office of the President reach an agreement.
The union is advocating for expanded health access and family benefits, and the establishment of the UC schools as sanctuary campuses, according to the press release. The union is also asking the University to limit armed police presence on campuses.
Student workers drafted goals for the contract negotiation through discussions, town halls and surveys, and they were ratified through a vote in which 95 percent of respondents supported the goals, according to the press release.
