UAW 2865

UAW 2865
Name	UAW 2865
Founded	1981
Members	~19,000
Affiliation	United Auto Workers, AFL–CIO
Country	United States
Website	uaw2865.org

UAW 2865. It is the labor union representing academic student employees at the University of California system. Chartered by the United Auto Workers in 1981, it was one of the first major unions in the United States to organize graduate student workers. The union negotiates collective bargaining agreements covering teaching assistants, tutors, readers, and other academic workers across all ten UC campuses, including UC Berkeley and UCLA.

History

The origins of the union trace to organizing efforts among graduate students at the University of California, Berkeley in the late 1970s, influenced by broader labor movements and the precedent set by the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission recognizing graduate assistants as employees. Following a contentious recognition campaign, the United Auto Workers was chosen as the parent union, leading to the official charter of UAW 2865 in 1981. Key early victories included the first contract in 1982, which established basic employment protections. The union's jurisdiction expanded significantly following the 1999 National Labor Relations Board decision in the New York University case, which affirmed the right of graduate students at private universities to unionize, bolstering organizing momentum within public systems like the University of California.

Organization and structure

The union is structured around a system of campus-based chapters at each University of California location, including UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbara. Each chapter elects its own leadership, including a head steward and bargaining team members. The overall union is governed by a Joint Council composed of representatives from every campus, which sets statewide strategy and policy. Day-to-day operations are managed by elected statewide officers, such as the President and Recording Secretary, alongside a cadre of member stewards who handle grievances. This decentralized model allows for localized action while coordinating major campaigns across the entire University of California system.

Contract campaigns and negotiations

Major contract negotiation cycles, typically occurring every three to four years, involve protracted bargaining with the University of California Office of the President. Historic campaigns, such as the 2000 contract fight, secured significant fee remissions. The 2018 negotiations, which culminated after over a year of bargaining, resulted in substantial wage increases and enhanced protections against harassment. These campaigns often involve coordinated actions with other UC unions, like UAW 5810 representing postdoctoral scholars and the University Professional and Technical Employees union. Preparation for negotiations includes extensive member surveys, the election of a statewide bargaining team, and the formulation of bargaining demands through membership assemblies.

Strikes and labor actions

The union has authorized and executed several major strikes throughout its history. A significant two-day systemwide strike occurred in 2009 over furloughs and fee increases imposed during the Great Recession. In late 2022, UAW 2865 participated in an unprecedented, coordinated strike alongside UAW 5810 and Student Researchers United, creating the largest academic worker strike in U.S. history. This six-week work stoppage, which shut down operations across campuses from UC Davis to UC Irvine, centered on demands for higher wages to match the cost of living in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. The action concluded with a ratified contract that included major economic gains.

Political and social advocacy

Beyond traditional workplace issues, the union engages in broader political and social justice campaigns. It has passed resolutions and organized actions in solidarity with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, advocated for DACA recipients, and supported Black Lives Matter protests. The union's legislative advocacy has included lobbying the California State Legislature on issues like public education funding and housing affordability. These positions are often debated and decided at biannual conventions of the United Auto Workers and through membership votes within the local, reflecting its activist orientation.

Relationship with the University of California

The relationship between UAW 2865 and the University of California administration has been historically adversarial, characterized by frequent disputes over compensation, workload, and union rights. Tensions often peak during contract negotiations, with the university system frequently employing law firms like Littler Mendelson for bargaining. However, the union also engages in continuous formal dialogue through established labor-management committees at each campus. The dynamics of this relationship are significantly shaped by the political composition of the Regents of the University of California and the fiscal policies set by the Governor of California.

Category:Trade unions in California Category:United Auto Workers Category:University of California