Campus To Remain Open If UAW Strike Occurs

Student teaching assistants statewide seeking fee waivers

Humboldt Sentinel
12/9/08
By Sentinel Staff

Humboldt State University will be open and classes held as usual even if California State University student teaching assistants go on strike as planned, say HSU officials.

Students are expected to attend classes and all faculty and staff are expected to report to work as usual through the end of the academic semester. Students or others who do not want to cross picket lines are asked to use alternate entrances.

The United Auto Workers said in press releases it will strike at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10. The union represents about 6,800 student teaching assistants throughout the CSU system, including more than 200 at Humboldt State.

CSU and UAW contract negotiators have reached agreement on everything except fee waivers. The CSU says fee waivers sought by the union would be hard to grant in the middle of the current budget crisis, estimating costs at $8 million to $11 million yearly.

“In light of the current fiscal crisis in California, and throughout the nation, we have a fiduciary responsibility to protect as many jobs as possible for the people who serve the CSU,” Chancellor Charles B. Reed said in a written statement.

“The state’s economy is in a free fall, and we are forced to make very difficult budget decisions,” Reed continued. “The preservation of jobs and the maintenance of quality in our institutions is vital, and that needs to be the focus of our efforts.”

“The CSU remains most concerned about the impact on students as they begin their final exams.”