Now that RPSPs and SSAPs have ratified our historic first contract that significantly raises the standard for staff across the UC system, it is time to continue growing the broader labor movement at UC and to begin enforcing our rights alongside all UC-UAW workers. After extensive conversations with workers across every campus, the elected RPSP and SSAP Bargaining Team sent a letter this week to UAW Region 6 Director Mike Miller to formally request to join Local 4811, the UAW local at the University of California.
Once staff join Local 4811, every part of the university’s teaching, research, and student services mission will be performed by members of the same local, all working towards the shared goal of making the UC a better place for everyone. As one big union, we send a clear message to management that SSAPs, RPSPs, future UC-UAW staff, Academic Researchers, Postdocs, and Academic Student Employees will not be divided. Once the request has been approved, 4811 will amend its bylaws to account for SSAP and RPSP elected leadership representation. Elections for our staff statewide and campus leadership positions will be held shortly after; information will be announced when available to give all dues-paying members the opportunity to participate.
Between now and then, it is important that as many UC workers as possible are educated about the rights afforded to them in the contract. Union Orientations for new and current employees are being kickstarted at each campus, so be on the lookout for more information in the near future. If you want to get involved in these orientations, become a dues-paying member, learn about how you can enforce our contract, or simply ask some questions, you can schedule a meeting with a peer organizer here. Likewise, if you are experiencing an issue, please complete the workplace issue form.
It is our solidarity with the Academic Student Employees, Postdocs, and Academic Researchers that bolstered our collective power with the numbers and support to win such a strong contract, and we look forward to further strengthening this partnership as members of the same UAW local.
In Solidarity,
RPSP-UAW & SSAP-UAW Bargaining Team
Anthony Gin, RPSP-UAW Representative Davis
Leo Lamanna, SSAP-UAW Representative Davis
Brianna McGuire, RPSP-UAW Representative Davis
Tori White, SSAP-UAW Representative Davis
Nikta Akhavan, RPSP-UAW Representative Berkeley
Ziva Armstrong, SSAP-UAW Representative Berkeley
Christine Mullarkey, SSAP-UAW Representative Berkeley
Erica Wilson, RPSP-UAW Representative Berkeley
Austin Edwards, RPSP-UAW Representative San Francisco
Lee Einhorn, RPSP-UAW Representative San Francisco
Eve Perry, RPSP-UAW Representative San Francisco
Jonah Taranta-Slack, SSAP-UAW Representative San Francisco
Karen Linam, SSAP-UAW Representative Merced
Meg Kan, SSAP-UAW Representative Santa Cruz
Seneca Ryan, SSAP-UAW Representative Santa Barbara
Sean Campbell, SSAP-UAW Representative Los Angeles
Carolina Cormack Orellana, RPSP-UAW Representative Los Angeles
Leila Espinosa, RPSP-UAW Representative Los Angeles
Nandini Inmula, SSAP-UAW Representative Los Angeles
Kimberly Schweigman, RPSP-UAW Representative Los Angeles
Daisy Ruiz, SSAP-UAW Representative Riverside
Kerri McCanna, SSAP-UAW Representative Irvine
Simeon Benit, RPSP-UAW Representative San Diego
Greg Hester, RPSP-UAW Representative San Diego
Janean Kromka, SSAP-UAW Representative San Diego
Myiesha Phelps, RPSP-UAW Representative San Diego
