Leaders claim university violated workers' 'freedom of expression and protest' rights
A UAW 4811 leader said the University of California's graduate student union plans to “maximize chaos and confusion” on campus in opposition to the administration's response to pro-Palestinian protesters in recent weeks.
On Wednesday, the union voted to authorize a strike on the UC campus. presentation X. UAW 4811 represents 48,000 graduate and undergraduate workers and researchers.
The union claims that recent actions by UC leaders against members during pro-Palestinian protests amounted to “intimidation and retaliation” and violated their “rights to free speech, protest, and collective action as academic employees.”
Rafael Jaime, union co-leader and graduate student in the UC Los Angeles Department of English, said: Los Angeles Times Union members want to “maximize chaos and confusion” in response to these alleged violations.
“After the events of April 30 and May 1, when the university brutally suppressed peaceful protests and violated freedom of expression, protest and collective action, we have no choice but to strike,” Jaime commented. I wrote it in wednesday daily bruinUCLA campus newspaper.
Jamie, one of the UCLA protesters, accused the university of “sending police in riot gear to destroy Palestinian solidarity positions and use flash grenades and rubber bullets to disperse protesters.”
“In all of these cases, the UCLA administration’s response violated its obligation to protect students and workers’ freedom of expression and freedom from discrimination for their political views. Under existing university policy, employees have the right to engage in peaceful protests on campus,” Jamie wrote.
The union said that along with UCLA, UC San Diego and UC Irvine also condemned their responses to pro-Palestinian student protesters. LA Times.
“Our members have been beaten, concussed and pepper-sprayed by both counter-protesters and police. “As a union, it is our responsibility to stand by them,” he said in a statement.
The union said student workers also want UC to consider their concerns about investments in “companies and industries that profit from Gaza's suffering.”
In response, UC spokeswoman Heather Hansen said: LA Times The union’s actions set “a dangerous precedent for including non-labor issues in labor contracts.”
The university system believes the strike is illegal, according to a letter sent Wednesday to student government members.
“And unlike a protective strike, you are entitled to corrective action if you fail to perform your duties,” the letter states. LA Times.
Earlier this month, riot police cleared a pro-Palestinian camp and arrested hundreds of protesters at UCLA. Fixes It has been reported. After that, you can upload photos and videos online. showed There is a huge amount of trash on the lawn and there has been vandalism on university buildings.
More: UCLA riot police clash with pro-Palestinian protesters. hundreds of people were arrested
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