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UAW 4811 - United Auto Workers, local chapter 4811
UAW 4811 - United Auto Workers, local chapter 4811
We as graduate students are represented by the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (United Auto Workers or UAW) under local chapter 4811 (UAW 4811). This local represents all graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and other academic researchers and student employees across all University of California (UC) campuses and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL).
The union negotiates contracts with UC for all workers that are represented, including those who are not members of the union. Contracts typically last a few years, and negotiations begin up to a year in advance of contract expiration. In the past few negotiation cycles, bargaining has broken down between both parties leading to strikes of represented workers. The current contract expires on May 31st, 2025. Some items that have been included in past contracts are pay raises, workload protections, health insurance subsidies, protected paid time-off, workplace protections, such as guaranteed appointments once they are offered, Protection against abusive PIs or advisors, and many more. Because the demands made by the union are determined by its members, we have a unique ability to affect our workplace through negotiation. These demands condense into bargaining demands that we vote upon.
The chapter itself covers nearly 50,000 workers across 11 campuses. There are elected leaders of the statewide union whose terms are three years. Much of the organization takes place on a campus level and there are corresponding elections for these officers too, whose terms are also three years. In preparing for bargaining, we also elect members from each campus to represent our demands. In the past, we have had members of the Physics department serve in local positions, as well as the bargaining team. Dues for union membership are a single $10 initiation fee and 1.44% of your wages (~$45/mo for a GSR, and ~$40/mo for a TA on our current contract). These dues primarily fund the global and chapter strike funds, which pay up to $500/wk during a strike to cover for lost wages. They also pay for much of the legal team hired by UAW to represent us in contract negotiations and any labor disputes that arise. You must volunteer to join the union and you can contact a department steward if you would like to leave. Leaving will not affect your protections, but you will not be eligible for strike pay.
Each department has assigned stewards who act like a bridge between campus union and department organizations. They help the workers understand the assignments, processes, take appropriate measures if/when necessary and be that safe space whom you know and can comfortably talk to. The contact information for our current stewards are below,
Samuel S. Roberts - srobert6@ucsc.edu
Samuel G. Christensen - sgchrist@ucsc.edu
Swosti Choudhury - swchoudh@ucsc.edu
We think about our union’s structure as the practice of how we make collective decisions as workers. To act as a broad and strong collective of workers, we “look out, not up” — we look to our coworkers for insight, solidarity, and action, not to our elected representatives or bosses to set the narrative. All UCSC workers represented by UAW 4811 are welcome at all of the meetings, regardless of membership status, prior experience, or specific invitation to that meeting. The key to successful organizing is building trusting relationships with the coworkers. To that end, we have a responsibility to treat everyone respectfully – without discrimination and upholding the assumption that we have shared goals and intentions even when we disagree about tactics or strategy. These values guide our behavior in meetings and other union spaces, such as online group chats. To contact the campus union regarding any concerns, questions, or participation, feel free to get in touch through organize@uc-uaw.org
UCGPC - UC Graduate and Professional Council
UCGPC - UC Graduate and Professional Council
The University of California Graduate & Professional Council (UCGPC) is an organization representing the collective interests of over 60,000 graduate and professional students across the University of California system. UCGPC advocates for policies and resources that support the academic, professional, and personal well-being of these students. The council works on issues such as student fees, housing, mental health services, diversity, and inclusion, while also providing a platform for inter-campus collaboration and student leadership development. In July 2021, the Regents approved UCGPC System Wide Fee. It’s an annual opt-out fee of $7 per graduate and professional student.
Process for opt-out or opt-in
Process for opt-out or opt-in
If a student chooses to opt out of the fee, their opt-out status will remain valid throughout their entire graduate or professional career at the campus, until opted-in again, which should get in effect from the next academic year. Students need to opt out before the end of the fifth week of instruction. If they do not choose to opt out by the specified deadlines, a $3.50 fee will be charged for that term. The opt-out will apply to future terms.
Steps to opt out of the UCGPC fee at UC Santa Cruz (UCSC):
Steps to opt out of the UCGPC fee at UC Santa Cruz (UCSC):
1. Log into the MyUCSC: Access the UCSC student portal, usually known as MyUCSC.
2. MyUCSC >> Graduate Student eForms tile >> UCGPC Registration Fee Opt-out link in the left navigation
After the third week of instruction (the Add/Drop/Swap Deadline on the [Academic and Administrative Calendar](https://registrar.ucsc.edu/calendar/academiccalendar.html)) you are no longer able to opt out of the fees for the current quarter, but you may opt out for future quarters. A refund of current fees may be directed to the UCSA or UCGPC.
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