Bargaining Update #8: management must meet the moment on immigration rights

At yesterday’s bargaining session, Academic Student Employees (ASEs) made a third proposal on immigration to enshrine the protections for international workers including legal, financial, and workplace support for scholars facing immigration issues. Since ASEs last proposal, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a new bill requiring CSU and community colleges in California to notify students and employees whenever ICE enforcement is present on campus. The state of California is standing up to Trump for immigration rights, and it’s critical that UC live up to these standards by committing to the same requirements. ASEs proposed that UC meet the political moment and match this policy in our contract. 

After months of bargaining over immigration and with UC still not moving with just two months until the contract expires, now is the time for UC to agree to workers’ demands. Next week, workers across the state are delivering a petition to bring these demands directly to the Chancellors. If you have not signed on to the petition, do it now. Signing will not duplicate your membership. Reply to this email if you want to get involved in delivering the petition at your campus.

ASE Bargaining Committee members caucus during bargaining.

At this session, ASEs also proposed on Respectful Work Environment, Non-Discrimination, Union Access and Rights, and Childcare. These proposals preserve workers’ right to timely justice for survivors of abuse, harassment, and discrimination and address the rising cost of childcare. UC management proposed on Definitions, Management and Academic Rights, and No Strikes. Management also proposed on Grievance and Arbitration and accepted language from ASEs last proposal eliminating bifurcation, making the grievance process faster and more worker friendly. For the specific language of the proposals, please visit the bargaining tracker here.