The coming weeks are key for pressuring UCOP to settle the contract with UC-AFT in order to avert major disruption on our campuses.
IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO ALREADY, PLEASE SIGN THE SOLIDARITY PLEDGE THAT EXPRESSES SENATE FACULTY OPPOSITION TO UC’S ACTIONS THAT ACCELERATE THE CONTINUED GIG-IFICATION OF ACADEMIC LABOR AND SUPPORT FOR UC-AFT’S FIGHT FOR BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS.
Our friends at UC-AFT asked that we share the following ways that you can support their campaign.
First, on October 13 and 14, they will be holding informational pickets to raise awareness about their main campaign priorities. The pickets will run from 10-2pm both days at the corner of 1st Street and A Street. There will be a rally at noon both days.
Please attend and encourage your students and colleagues to attend during any of these times.
You may also want to share the recent Calmatters article, which is a really accessible article that lays out why the UC-AFT contract campaign is an important one for (among many other things) racial and gender equity.
Second, if any of you are teaching classes this quarter and are willing to let one of their reps come to class (in-person or virtual) to share with your students why their working conditions impact their learning conditions, please reply to this account and we can pass your name along. [they will only take up 3-4 minutes of your time]
Third, please reach out to lecturers in your departments and programs to show your support for their fight for job stability and better working conditions. This show of solidarity will be very important for morale.
Finally, please sign the Solidarity Pledge, and encourage your colleagues to do the same. Even better, if you can have a conversation in your department or in relevant Academic Senate committees about Senate faculty rights in the event of a strike, you can be better prepared if it happens. UC often claims participating in strikes or respecting a picket line is unlawful. CUCFA has compiled a FAQ that lays out faculty free-speech and HEERA (Higher Education Employment Relations Act)-protected right to honor our lecturers’ picket line. The FAQ also discusses the Faculty Code of Conduct.
See you at the rally!