From: harelb@math.cornell.edu (Harel Barzilai)
Subject: BEKELEY STRIKE: 12/16
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: daemon@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: ?
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 03:21:23 GMT

[email harelb@math.cornell.edu to join labor.grad.org conference/mail-list]




From: erichsu@math.berkeley.edu (Eric Hsu at Lhasa) 
Subject: AGSE Newsletter 12/16/92 

On the Front Lines: Day 18 
  
Wednesday, December 16th, 1992 
  
This is a newsletter intended to keep people on the picket lines and
in other strike activities informed. Please share this with others on
the picket line.  If there is some news you think should go into the
newsletter, please contact Susan Shepler (540-6794 or shepler@math).
  
Negotiations Update
  
In addition to the meeting scheduled for Thursday, yesterday the
administration requested to add a negotiations meeting today at 2:00.
This is conveniently following our rally!
  
All the old issues are still on the table: "good faith",
representation of our membership, dues deduction, guarantee of no
reprisals, and a binding agreement.  The administration said that they
wanted another shot at resolution.  They have not yet invited
systemwide representatives to negotiations.
  
Rally Today!
  
People do not need to turn in the self-reporting strike forms the
administration wants.  These letters have not been legally served, and
many of us haven't received them.  If UC bills for health insurance,
the UAW will pay it.  If UC bills for the month's share of partial fee
waivers, UC will give us 6 months to pay (without blocking
registration).  In fact, incorrectly docking pay of a non-striking
worker would likely result in the University's payment of triple
damages.  Also, note that in 1989, after the 2-day strike, UAW
successfully represented a student who was fired after striking.  If
UC sends other forms asking us to verify that we plan to fulfill our
appointments for the Spring, say "yes".  We plan to work, and we plan
for UC to settle the strike reasonably so that we can work.
  
So, what should you do if you did receive a self-report form?  Bring
it to the rally, today at noon, at Bancroft and Telegraph!  If you
haven't received one, you could bring some other symbolic piece of
paper (perhaps one of Dean Cerny's letters?).
  
Carolling with Even More Attitude!
  
We're carolling again tonight at Peltason's mansion from 6-7 p.m.
Lyric sheets will be provided.  Bring flashlights, candles, and
musical instruments.  Meet at West Gate at 5:15 if you need a ride.
Carolling at Brady's residence is also in the works.
  
Directions: After Arlington Circle, bear right to Arlington Ave.  Take
Arlington to the village of Kensington.  Take a left at Rincon Rd at
the Arlington Community Church.  200 yards on the left is 70 Rincon
(large stone gate).
  
Pickets to Extend Through Winter Break
  
Just because classes are over, doesn't mean the rest of the campus
isn't working!  We will be maintaining our skeletal picket lines at
delivery entrances to campus throughout break.  This means East Gate,
West Gate, and the driveway next to Sproul.  Also, we are continuing
the off-campus pickets at Central Receiving on Folger near Emeryville
and the Secondary Central Receiving Site at Carleton and Milvia.
Pickets will be up through this Friday, Monday through Wednesday of
next week, Monday through Wednesday of the following, and weekdays
after that (i.e. all of break except for the administrative break
December 24th, 25th, 31st, and 1st).  This is to make sure the
administration doesn't try to stock up and make up for blocked
shipments from the semester.  The incoming traffic has slowed
tremendously, thanks to our efforts. We need people to sign up and
stick to their shifts!  Call the Strike Logistics team to volunteer:
Doug Edwards at 937-1945, Doug Kain at 848-6194, or Kathy Gelher at
655-7609.
  
UAW Strike Benefit Information
  
If you have registered for the strike benefits, if you've done your
picketing duty, and if your pay is docked in December, you must pick
up your check in person on January 12th, 1993 or on a new second date
January 19th, 1993 (the first day of classes).  The regional director
of the UAW has agreed that people, including readers and tutors, who
joined the union after the strike began will be eligible for strike
benefits, but this still has to be okayed by Detroit.
  
  
Yes Virginia, there is a UAW
  
People who do picketing or other strike duties the week before
Christmas and are entitled to strike benefits will receive an extra
hundred dollar Holiday Bonus from the UAW!
  
  
Committees want YOU!
  
To call a column of undergraduates from the ASUC directory and talk
about issues involved in the strike, contact Joe Harrington at
845-5618.
  
The "In Your Face" committee is working on creative ideas to pressure
UC.  Contact John Talbot at 658-9349 or Kathy Gehler at 655-7609.
  
To find out about other committees, call John Stuligross at 652-0793.
  
Public Debate
  
We are hoping for a public meeting to discuss issues related to the
strike openly.  At the meeting, representatives of AGSE and the
administration would present their positions, respond to each other,
and discuss questions from the audience.  The public debate committee
has contacted a number of faculty to see how they feel about the idea,
and all have been supportive.  In particular, Department Chairs Larry
Hyman of Linguistics, Robert Holub of German, Neil Fligstein of
Sociology, Francine Masiello of Comp. Lit., and Fred Crews of English
have given us permission to use their names in talking to the
administration about this.
  
We feel that clearly presenting the facts about recent negotiations
can only help our side!  To get involved in the Public Debate Forum
committee to set up public discussions between AGSE and UC speakers,
contact Sarah Taub at 559-8489 or Florence Pore at (415)641-9838
sometime this week.  They still need help with publicity and outreach.
  
Some Results of Last Night's Stewards Meeting
  
There was much discussion of the IP grading option at the meeting.  It
seems a number of departments are waiting to see what other
departments are doing before they commit to giving IP grades.  An
informal poll was taken among the stewards present.  They were asked
to conservatively estimate how many undergraduates were likely to
receive grades of IP from Teaching Assistants in their departments.
An estimated 4000 IP grades are possible!  That's a lot of lawsuits.
  
TTis the Season
  
We don't know who wrote this one, but we love it.  Sung to the tune of
Jingle Bells:
  
Peltason, Peltason, Peltason our friend 
Says he can't do anything-it's up to Chancellor Tien 
Peltason, Peltason knows not where he stands. 
Won't talk with us, won't meet with us, 
And won't hear our demands. 
  
Standing in the rain, in sturdy picket lines 
We have made it plain: we won't change our minds. 
Tien passes the buck, and UC passes back. 
(And) who's caught in middle?  Well, 
It ain't Joe, Chang, or Jack! 
  
Oh Peltason, Peltason, Peltason our pal 
Give Berkeley autonomy and let our strike end now. 
Peltason, Peltason, time to take a stand. 
('Cause) we won't go away Ttil you agree to our demands. 
  
Upcoming Events 
  
Wednesday 
  
noon            Self-reporting forms conflagration 
                rally!  At Bancroft and Telegraph. 
                Bring your letters from Tien. 
  
Thursday 
  
6-8 p.m.        General Membership meeting. 
                First Congregational Church at Dana 
                and Channing. 

Conf? 
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