(thread) I don't consider myself a strike person, but enough is enough. @UCBerkeley prides itself on being one of the foremost research universities in the world, consistently ranking #1 for env science. Except they refuse to pay graduate student workers a living wage.
The grad student union has tried to negotiate higher salaries (we're talking ~$30,000 here, not a fortune) for YEARS- but the UCs refuse to come to the bargaining table. Right now, I pay ~60% of my monthly salary on rent. The threshold for being considered rent burdened is 30%.
For the past 3 years I've been at UCB, class sizes have significantly gone up, student:grad student instructor (GSI) ratios have skyrocketed, grad student salaries have stagnated with more & more hours required, and undergraduate education has suffered.
If @UCBerkeley wants to continue its top-notch status - they should invest in the people that make it great. Graduate students teach your classes, grade your exams, are the first line of connection to tuition-paying undergrads, AND we do your world-class research.
Paying us poverty wages is unacceptable, especially for the most socially "woke" campus in the country.
Support us in demanding a cost of living adjustment (COLA). We're ready to strike for it. #colaforall
payusmoreucb.com/home
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