The Teaching Assistants' Association is poised for a two-day walkout beginning tomorrow. Most members of the UW community are aware of the upcoming action, but there remains some general confusion about the bargaining process, whether or not the strike will happen and what constitutes \support"" for the TAA.
Problems began in August 2003 when the state bargaining team attempted to circumvent the contract process by issuing an ""announcement"" that the TAA would ""accept"" a zero percent and 1 percent wage increases and begin paying health-care premiums. Members were surprised and outraged by the state's attempt to impose changes without engaging in legal contract bargaining.
In early March, after nine months of stalled negotiations, the TAA presented a new two-pronged package to the state. One option agreed to pay health-care premiums if wages were increased to levels of TA pay at peer universities. The second called for the maintenance of zero premium health care with the acceptance of the state's wage offer. This package was rejected.
Throughout March 2004 TAs and project assistants staged informal pickets, informational rallies, and a ""grade-in"" at Bascom Hall to raise attention and support. In late March a frustrated TAA began to take actions toward initiating a walkout, and in early April strike ballots were mailed out to 1,200 members. Strike ballots were counted April 19, and the TAA membership voted overwhelmingly to strike. That same day, the state bargaining team agreed to come back to the table and made its first counter-proposal in more than five months. More than 200 TAs are in the process of reviewing the state's offer. There is a bargaining session scheduled for today and a TAA membership meeting scheduled for tonight. There is still the possibility a walkout may be avoided.
In case of a strike, the primary thing students and faculty can do is not cross picket lines. If you have a class in a building that is being picketed, do not attend. Also, do not attend classes with TAs who are on strike. If you must cross a picket line for work or some other reason, then wear a black arm band or bandanna or a TAA button. The purpose of the walkout is to stop ""business as usual at the university and show that students, faculty and the university community are in support of fair wages and health care for our peers."" Disrupting the the university is illustrative of how disruptive it is for TAs and PAs to be mistreated by the state.
Take the next step while you're not attending classes-join a picket line. Walk in solidarity with your TAs and talk with them about their experiences throughout these negotiations. The more support the walkout receives, the more likely the TAs will quickly win a fair contract, and the more likely a grade strike can be avoided. One thing is evident: what brought the state back to the bargaining table were the public protests and organization of the TAA and the campus mobilization behind the walkout.
We are not in college to copy Power Point slides, we are here to learn how to live our lives and how to make a difference in the lives of others. Working for positive change is not always convenient. While TAs will teach us many things throughout college, this could be the most important lesson of all-how to fight for justice and your rights. Skip your classes Tuesday and Wednesday, because one thing is clear: The real education will be occurring outside the classroom.
Kate McCormack is a senior majoring in international studies.
