As members of the University of Wisconsin Teaching Assistants’ Association prepare to strike in response to failed contract negotiations with the state, students supporting the union will hold a “TA and Undergrad Solidarity Festival and March” today at 12:30 p.m. on Library Mall.
Members of the Student Labor Action Coalition have helped organize the event, handing out flyers and putting up posters encouraging students to rally behind the TAs.
“I think it’s a classic labor issue. This is a group of people who are the flesh and blood of the university. They make it run,” said Joel Feingold, a UW freshman and SLAC member.
Ruth Castel-Branco, a UW sophomore and SLAC member, said the rally will focus on both supporting zero-cost healthcare for the TAA and rallying for lower tuition for all UW students. She said because the 2006-08 state budget proposal is currently being worked on, now is the time to unite with TAs and voice concerns to the state over both the current TAA contract negotiations and the rising cost of tuition.
“People make a budget and choose what to give priority to in that budget,” Castel-Branco said. “A priority can be tax breaks for corporations, or it can be health care for TAs and lower tuition for students.”
Feingold said it is important for students to show their support for TAs. He said if TAs do go on strike, he would encourage undergraduates not to cross picket lines, even if it means missing class.
“The point is that we have to make a sacrifice to show our support,” Feingold said.
However, other students are not so willing to go to that extreme.
Chris Reger is a UW sophomore who supports the TAA. However, he said he would cross picket lines in order to get to class.
“I’d probably go to class because that’s what I pay for. I support their cause, but I’m not going to throw my tuition dollars down the drain,” Reger said.
Yet despite his reluctance to miss class in order to avoid crossing a picket line, Reger said he thinks the TAA is dealing with an equality issue.
“I think the issue they’re striking over is reasonable and fair enough,” Reger said.
But some UW students see the situation differently.
UW sophomore Sonya Bute said the amount the state is proposing the TAA pay for health care is not unreasonable and is not worth striking over.
“I think that health care is a valuable issue, but $130 a year isn’t worth taking classes away from students,” Bute said, adding that she feels the state has a valid argument in asking TAs to contribute to the cost of health care in a time of financial crisis.
Castel-Branco said the rally today would have a “festival atmosphere,” including speakers, music and food from Catacombs. She also said if enough people show up, the group may march to the state Capitol.
“Whether the state takes us seriously or not will depend on how many people show up,” Castel-Branco said.
