About 200 members of the United Auto Workers Local 4811 held a “Last Chance” practice picket at the UC Santa Barbara Library steps on March 12. The next day, two bargaining committees reached full tentative contract agreements with University of California administrators.
Katherina Gontaryuk said that the union members gathered to give UC administrators “one last chance” to bargain in good faith. Shengyu Zhang / Daily Nexus
Workers across the University of California (UC) rallied at their respective campuses as negotiations continue between the union and UC administrators. United Auto Workers (UAW) 4811 represents 48,000 teaching assistants (TAs), academic researchers and other academic employees.
Last month, over 20,000 UAW members voted to authorize a potential strike if union leadership believes contract negotiations are stalling. In a January press release, the UC said it was “disappointed” by the strike authorization vote as it believes it has actively engaged in negotiations.
Around 12 p.m., a crowd gathered in front of the library to discuss current working conditions and contract demands. Katherina Gontaryuk, a TA in the philosophy department and emcee for the rally, began by leading the crowd in chants. Several people twirled spinning rattles and played the drums while the crowd chanted, “What do we want? Fair contracts. When do we want it? Now,” and, “If we don’t get it, shut it down,” among others.
Gontaryuk said that the union members gathered to give UC administrators “one last chance” to bargain in good faith. The union’s contract demands include pay that keeps pace with the cost of living, protections for international workers and job security.
“The fight doesn’t end until UC management comes to the table and remedies their unfair labor practices so that we can carry out the mission of public higher education,” Gontaryuk said. “Now more than ever, we’re doing crucial work to bring research, education and healthcare to millions of people across California and beyond.”
In Santa Barbara, an adult without children or a partner would need to earn $35.78 an hour to make a living wage. The California minimum wage is currently $16.90.
Union members rallied outside the UC Santa Barbara library for roughly an hour. Shengyu Zhang / Daily Nexus
The union’s contract originally ended on May 31, 2025, but was later extended to December 31, 2025, so that it could expire during the academic year rather than over the summer, and to resolve legal disputes and contract violations before bargaining began.
“We have waited eight months for them to bargain with us in good faith and settle a contract, and we are here to say their time is up,” Gontaryuk said. “We are ready and willing to walk off the job.”
Michael Takahara, a health education specialist who has worked on campus for 32 years, spoke next about the importance of building relationships as TAs.
“I love my job, because they’re going to help students in recovery contribute to our community and develop meaningful relationships and support their continual success,” Takahara said.
Michael Takahara spoke to the crowd about his experiences as a University employee. Shengyu Zhang / Daily Nexus
Takahara explained that he was asked to take on several additional interns on top of his existing cohort without additional compensation.
“How many of you have taken on new responsibilities in your job, but you haven’t been compensated for it?” Takahara said. “Those positions are vacant for years on end, leaving us to carry and cover those duties.”
On March 13, the Academic Student Employee and Research & Advising Staff Bargaining Committees reached contract agreements which included eliminating pay disparities between UC campuses, wage raises, legal consultation for international workers and other benefits.
Union members will vote to ratify these contracts March 17-20.
