The University of Wisconsin Teaching Assistants’
Association is one step closer to striking after union members
decided unanimously Thursday to consider work stoppages and other
job actions, according to a statement issued by the group.
The TAA is considering various job actions in
response to failed contract negotiations with the state and the
University of Wisconsin. Teaching assistants and project assistants
have been working under an extension of their 2001-03 contract
since July 2003, when that contract expired.
“This is a position the state and
university have forced us into,” said Tina Chang,
co-president of the TAA.
Approximately 350 TAA union members attended
the membership meeting, where they voted to initiate a two-step
process that moves the union toward strike activity. Of the
approximately 3,000 TAs and PAs at UW, 1,700 are members of the
TAA.
The first step of this process includes
organizing TAA members and gathering signatures for a strike
pledge. The second step will then be to mail out a paper ballot
vote asking if members want to go on strike or perform other job
actions.
Jon Puthoff, a UW graduate student and TA in
the department of Materials Science and Engineering, said the vast
majority of members at the meeting were in favor of taking action.
He said although any actions the union might take are still
tentative, a committee was formed several weeks ago to look at
various ways the TAA could express their dissatisfaction with the
state.
“There’s a whole spectrum of what
we can do,” Puthoff said, adding that these options include
walkouts, grade strikes, rallies and campaigns.
Chang said the atmosphere of the meeting was
charged and many members seemed ready to take action.
“People were really empowered in that
room,” Chang said.
The vote to consider job actions was the first
in almost 25 years, according to the statement released by the
TAA.
One of the key issues the TAA and state cannot
agree on surrounds healthcare costs. The state wants the TAA to
begin contributing toward their health insurance, which TAA members
have traditionally received at no cost. The state has proposed a $9
a month premium for individuals and $22.50 premium a month for
family health care for the current academic year. This figure may
increase to $11 for individuals and $27.50 for families for the
2004-05 academic year.
According to Chang, TAA members want to see a
contract that maintains zero-cost healthcare or includes a salary
increase to compensate for the loss of free healthcare. Chang said
UW TAs and PAs have traditionally accepted a lower salary than peer
institutions in order to receive zero-cost healthcare. She said it
would be difficult for UW to attract qualified graduate students
with a lower salary and lack of free health care.
Although the TAA is moving forward with their
plan to take action, Chang said the organization would still like
to settle contract negotiations.
“The state and university have a great
opportunity right now to step forward and do what’s
right,” Chang said.
