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Graduate programs are usually filled with a completely new set of students after 2-3 years. The likelihood of students taking similar actions in future years wi

Graduate programs are usually filled with a completely new set of students after 2-3 years. The likelihood of students taking similar actions in future years will have no bearing on the actions taken today by those currently enrolled. Having a union doesn't fundamentally change the un-affordability of accepting below-market wages for skilled labor in a high cost of living area. They might be getting a better deal than they would have otherwise, but clearly there's a disconnect between the UC system, the union, and the students on the premise of today's arrangement and its long term viability.

ajross 7y ago
Obviously no, strikes and labor actions can't change the microeconomics. But regardless of whether or not the wages are sufficient, and whether the agreement is just or not, it's an agreement. Breaking it only hurts things for future students, it doesn't help. Consider the union sitting down to the next contract, how do they negotiate successfully if UCSC doesn't believe their members will honor the agreement?
- asdff 7y ago
  On the other hand, what to the grad students at UCSC do if they weren't represented at the bargaining table by their own union in the first place? The agreement is not one the grad students at UCSC and UCSC, but with the grad students at all UC campuses with the University of California, et al. 83% of UCSC grad students opposed the original UC wide negotiation because the salary minimums did not take into account the rising cost of living in Santa Cruz due to market pressure in the bay area. They are striking without the support of their union because the union never supported their situation in the first place.
  - dantheman 7y ago
    That's between them and their union - they can stop paying union dues, they can leave the union.
    - saagarjha 7y ago
      Not at the University of California…
    - garmaine 7y ago
      No, they can't. That would be illegal in this circumstance.

ajross 7y ago

Obviously no, strikes and labor actions can't change the microeconomics. But regardless of whether or not the wages are sufficient, and whether the agreement is just or not, it's an agreement. Breaking it only hurts things for future students, it doesn't help. Consider the union sitting down to the next contract, how do they negotiate successfully if UCSC doesn't believe their members will honor the agreement?

asdff 7y ago
On the other hand, what to the grad students at UCSC do if they weren't represented at the bargaining table by their own union in the first place? The agreement is not one the grad students at UCSC and UCSC, but with the grad students at all UC campuses with the University of California, et al. 83% of UCSC grad students opposed the original UC wide negotiation because the salary minimums did not take into account the rising cost of living in Santa Cruz due to market pressure in the bay area. They are striking without the support of their union because the union never supported their situation in the first place.
- dantheman 7y ago
  That's between them and their union - they can stop paying union dues, they can leave the union.
  - saagarjha 7y ago
    Not at the University of California…
  - garmaine 7y ago
    No, they can't. That would be illegal in this circumstance.