The Teaching Assistants Association voted in a two-thirds majority today to implement a strike. If necessary, teaching assistants and project assistants willstage a walkout on April 27 and 28. If after the walkout there is still no contract in place, the TAs will then impose a grade strike.
We urge support for the TAA in their current contract dispute. TAs are a crucial part of this university's structure, yet the state has refused to offer them a fair raise and healthcare benefits. The TAA has shown great resolve in pushing their case this far.
Teaching assistants simply cannot get by on the salary and benefits the university and the state are currently giving them. UW-Madison TAs currently make significantly less than TAs at other top universities, and the state now wants to implement an unprecedented co-pay to their healthcare benefits.
After the strike vote, the state proposed a new contract offer to the TAA. This shows that the state understands the detrimental effect a strike would have on the university and, promisingly, is willing to take such a threat seriously.
However, the new salary offer is still 8.3 percent below the Big Ten average for TAs. The state must make concede more benefits in order to avoid forcing the TAA into striking.
We hope an agreement is reached before the planned walkout next week. If a fair contract with the state cannot be negotiated, however, we will fully suppport the TAA in their strike plans.
