News of Student Researchers' Labor Negotiations

From the Bruin: Graduate students, undergraduate students and supporters from other labor unions rallied outside Young Hall [last] Thursday in protest of the University of California’s refusal to recognize the graduate student researcher union.

More than 200 supporters for Student Researchers United-United Auto Workers gathered at noon, when speakers spoke about the UC’s stance on fellows and trainees and its ongoing contract negotiations with other UC worker unions. SRU-UAW rallies occurred at all UC campuses Thursday except at UC Santa Cruz, which held a rally Tuesday.

The UC claimed to recognize the union Sept. 2 but sought to exclude fellows and trainees from union enrollment, arguing that those who receive external funding from traineeship and fellowship grants do not qualify as employees under the Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act.

The California Public Employment Relations Board filed a letter Sept. 8 stating that partial union recognition is not allowed and considered the UC’s response as a complete denial of recognition...

The UC is in ongoing discussions regarding the composition of a new bargaining unit, said Ryan King, a UC Office of the President spokesperson, in an emailed statement. He added that the UC recognizes a majority of the graduate student researchers in the union and hopes to resolve discussions soon so negotiations can begin...

Full story at https://dailybruin.com/2021/10/31/ucla-community-protests-ucs-refusal-to-recognize-student-researchers-union.