The student-worker protesters at UC-San Diego who were to be arraigned on vandalism charges weren't. Maybe somebody is having a re-think at UC-SD. ??? Let's consider this issue from the viewpoints of both sides and see if an understanding could be the result.
In a standard union contract, the grievance-and-arbitration process is supposed to be used if there are allegations that terms of the contract are not being met. By signing the contract, from the management point of view, the union has agreed to use of that process. From the union point of view, gains were won by both using strike-related tactics AND also by giving a promise to use grievance-and-arbitration during the life of the negotiated agreement (and not use strike tactics).
This particular labor-management relationship is in an immature state and union members may not fully understand the two sides of the deal. University management may not fully appreciate that a full understanding of the rules of the game in a new situation can be difficult to achieve. However, there will be a negotiation when the current contract expires. It would be a Bad Thing if next time both sides approach the negotiation with a sense that the other side's promises are not reliable.
Maybe everyone needs to take a deep breathe and then step back from actions that will make future relationships difficult. Note that most labor-management contract renegotiations result in new accords without a strike. But that goal can only occur if both sides make an effort to support the existing agreement during its life.
Here is what we know at this point:
Arraignment for Alleged UCSD Chalk Vandals Delayed
By Ryan Quinn, Inside Higher Ed, 7-11-23
Monday’s arraignment was canceled for two University of California, San Diego, graduate student researchers and one postdoctoral researcher who allegedly used chalk and possibly other materials on a new building. Jessica Ng, the postdoctoral researcher and a union member, said last week they were arrested and jailed overnight before the July 4 weekend on charges of felony vandalism and conspiracy to commit a crime.
UC San Diego, without naming any suspects, announced July 4 that its police department had arrested three people “in the felony vandalism of the Marine Conservation and Technology Facility on May 30.” Its statement said, “The vandals used materials other than chalk to deface the walls of the new facility, and those materials seeped into the concrete,” causing over $12,000 of damage. Campus academic workers have been protesting despite the end of their historic strike in December, saying the UC system isn’t honoring the deals it made to end that walkout.
On Monday, a San Diego County District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman wrote in an email that “Today’s scheduled arraignment will not go forward because the case has not been submitted to our office for review. No charges have been filed by the District Attorney’s Office at this time.”
A university spokeswoman said in an email, “UC San Diego Police confirmed the investigation is ongoing,” and again provided the July 4 statement.
Video from KPBS at link below:
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