Graduate students at the University of California, Santa Cruz have gone on strike, becoming the first campus to do so as part of a systemwide protest against the university’s alleged violation of speech rights of pro-Palestinian advocates. The strike is organized by United Auto Workers Local 4811, which represents 48,000 graduate students across the 10-campus UC system. The strike is in response to arrests and forcible ejection by police of union members participating in demonstrations calling for an end to the war in Gaza. The campus will not strike all at once, but will opt for rolling strikes to protest these actions.
University officials are calling the strike unlawful and in violation of the union’s contract, which prohibits work stoppages. Both sides have filed unfair labor practice complaints with the California Public Employment Relations Board. The union is demanding amnesty for all academic employees, students, and faculty facing disciplinary action or arrest due to the protests. They are also seeking divestment from UC’s investments in weapons makers, contractors, and companies aiding Israel in its conflict with Hamas, among other issues. Labor historian Tobias Higbie notes that such actions by unions over broad workplace issues are not unheard of, though they may not happen frequently.
Higbie points out that surprising events like the UCLA incident earlier this month, where police in riot gear dispersed a pro-Palestinian gathering on campus, can lead to unexpected actions from unions. The strike at UC Santa Cruz has disrupted normal operations, with classes being conducted remotely on Monday. The university’s assistant vice chancellor emphasized the importance of minimizing disruption, especially given the challenges faced by students and researchers in recent years. Academic and operational continuity is essential to the university’s education and research mission, and a core responsibility to its students.
The strike reflects a broader trend of labor unions taking action on social justice issues that go beyond traditional wage and benefit negotiations. The union’s decision to strike in solidarity with pro-Palestine movements shows their willingness to use their collective bargaining power for causes they believe in. As the strike continues, both sides are locked in a legal battle over the legality of the strike and the demands being made by the union. It remains to be seen how this strike will impact the university’s operations and its relationship with graduate students and the broader campus community.
Overall, the strike at UC Santa Cruz is part of a larger movement within labor unions to advocate for social justice issues and take action against perceived injustices. The solidarity shown by the graduate students in support of pro-Palestinian advocates highlights the growing intersection between labor rights and social justice causes. As the strike unfolds, it will be important to monitor how the university responds to the demands of the union and the impact it has on the academic and research activities at UC Santa Cruz.
