SR Recognition Resolution FAQ

Why are SRs voting on this resolution? 
UC is currently denying recognition to SRU-UAW despite a supermajority of Student Researchers signing union authorization cards in support of forming a union. They are attempting a divide-and-conquer tactic by saying GSRs and GSRAs have union rights, but Fellows and Trainees do not because they are not “workers” and do not share a “community of interest” with GSRs and GSRAs, therefore denying union recognition to all SRs. 

A strong “yes” vote in the resolution will show UC that SRs are united behind the demand for recognition of all of us, including Fellows and Trainees, and that we will continue organizing until we win recognition for all. 

When does voting start and end?
Voting on the recognition resolution will start at 8am on Wednesday September 22nd, and will end at 8pm on Wednesday October 20th.

Who can vote on  the resolution?
Any UC Graduate Student who is currently a Student Researcher or expects to be one soon. SR job titles include GSR, GSRA, Fellow, and Trainee; see a detailed list here. 

Who are Trainees and Fellows?
Thousands of Student Researchers across UC work as Trainees and Fellows. Trainees are graduate students paid on individual and institutional training grants, such as National Institutes of Health Institutional Training Grants. Fellows are graduate students who receive financial remuneration from Fellowship awards in exchange for performing research work. Read SRU-UAW’s petition for representation here. 

Why is UC holding up recognition of SRU-UAW,  the union of all Student Researchers, including those paid with fellowships and training grants? 
The UC administration has long opposed Student Researcher unionization, and attempted to prevent Student Researchers from gaining the same rights as other UC employees, such as the right to form a union, for decades. 

In this latest iteration of attempts to deny collective bargaining rights, UC now claims that Fellows and Trainees are students, not employees, and do not share a ‘community of interest’ with other Student Researchers in the proposed SRU-UAW bargaining unit. This is the same argument UC previously made about other groups of student workers such as Teaching Assistants, Tutors, and Readers who now have a union, UAW 2865.

Question 2 asks if I would help organize a strike vote. Are SRs organizing a strike vote now?
No. Right now SRs are ratifying a resolution to show UC that we are united behind recognition of all of us – including Fellows and Trainees that UC is seeking to exclude from union protections. If UC continues to deny union recognition to SRU-UAW, SRs could call for a strike vote to win union recognition. 

What is a Strike Authorization Vote?
A strike authorization vote is a vote to authorize a strike to be called if necessary. If SRs authorize a strike, it does not necessarily mean we will go on strike, just that a strike can be called if circumstances justify. 

What does it mean to help organize a strike authorization vote?
Helping to organize a strike authorization vote means communicating with your lab, cohort, or department about the potential need for a strike vote, helping to answer coworker’s questions and concerns, and to remind your coworkers to vote if a strike vote is called. A vote to authorize a strike would send a powerful message to UC that SRs are serious about recognition of our union. The more who vote in favor, the more powerful the message; that’s why it is important to have a network of supporters across every department committed to helping make the vote highly participatory. 

What does a Student Researcher strike look like? 
There are many options, and SRs across the state would make democratic decisions at the department, campus, and statewide level about all these details. We would aim to withhold our labor in our research positions. If Student Researchers decide that a recognition strike is necessary, there will be time to make contingency plans to ensure important experiments and research are not damaged. 

Do I have the legal right to participate in a strike for recognition? 
Yes. It is unlawful under California law to fire or discipline workers for participating in a strike for recognition. This protection also applies to international SRs.  

Do TAs/GSIs have the right to support SRs and refuse to cross a picket line?
TAs/GSIs have a contractually-protected right to follow their individual conscience and not cross a picket line. By not crossing the picket line, TAs/GSIs can choose to show their support. 

If a strike is called, will I be required to walk out?
No. That said, a strike will only be successful with mass participation of SRs.

How long would a strike last?
The duration of a strike would be up to SRs. Many strikes at UC are short, and rarely last more than a week or two.

Have Student Researchers gone on strike before at other Universities?
Yes, Research Assistants along with Teaching Assistants struck at Columbia University for recognition of their union. SRs at NYU, Harvard, and the University of Washington have struck during negotiations with their universities. A majority of Postdocs and Academic Researchers at UC both authorized strikes in 2016 and 2019 respectively, which allowed them to settle their disputes with UC without having to go on an actual strike. You can see a list of majority-participation UAW Academic Worker strike votes here. 

Will the University care if SRs go on strike?
Yes. SRs perform critical work every day. Additionally, a strike would be highly visible, showing the solidarity of thousands of SRs, and attracting media attention and political support. Members of other unions would likely support us by choosing not to cross picket lines. The combination of work stoppage, media coverage, and political pressure generated by a strike would absolutely impact the UC.