<a href="http://educationinthestreets.blogspot.com">Education In The Streets</a>

Friday, March 19, 2004

Felcitationes!

Teaching Assistants, Research Assistants, Staff Assistants, Readers, Tutors,
Graders, and other academic student employees at the University of
Washington voted to be represented by GSEAC/UAW (Graduate Student Employee
Action Coalition / United Auto Workers) in collective bargaining. The
Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) has tallied the ballots in the
mail ballot election that began on February 25th. Out of 2370 votes cast,
1391 were in favor of representation. GSEAC/UAW will now represent over 4500
academic student employees at UW.

"This is a great day for us," said Amanda Rychel, a Teaching Assistant and
Research Assistant in the Biology department. "We have been working for this
for a long time, and are happy to have a seat at the bargaining table like
other employees on campus."

The vote marks the end of the four year campaign by GSEAC/UAW to gain
certification as the exclusive bargaining representative of academic student
employees at UW. The Union expects to start bargaining with the University
on matters of employment, such as wages, health insurance and working
conditions, at the beginning of this spring quarter.

"We are pleased that our votes have been counted and that the University is
respecting our choice to have collective bargaining," said Kay Greeson, a
Research Assistant in Pathobiology at UW. "Research Assistants provide a
crucial service in advancing the research mission of the University."

Steve Williamson, Executive Secretary of King County Labor Council, said:
"The University's decision not to appeal the PERC ruling is consistent with
what we see are very hopeful signs of improving labor relations at the
University of Washington. We're very happy with the University's decision
and we applaud their respect for worker democracy.

Now, wouldn't it be nice if we could applaud Yale for their respect for worker democracy?

¶ 6:27 PM

Smash Yale-[ comments.]

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