In Support of Academic Workers

The members of the University of California UAW—the union that represents tens of thousands of postdocs, academic researchers, graduate student researchers, trainees, fellows, graduate student instructors, readers, and tutors—have been negotiating for a contract with the University since spring 2021. Recently, they voted overwhelmingly to strike on November 14.  

The faculty of the UC Davis Classics Program express their unanimous support for a settlement that will significantly benefit the UAW's members, with whom we work every day and who perform many of the University's core functions. Indeed, many UAW members are the very students whose education is central to our mission. 

We affirm the right of student workers to engage in lawful strike activity, which may include picketing, cancellation of teaching, and/or cessation of grading. We will not retaliate in any way against graduate students based on their participation or non-participation in strike activities. We will respond to undergraduate concerns about the disruption of their education with compassion while affirming the right of the graduate students to strike.