In addition, they lead most of the 2,000 discussion sections of large lecture courses. The administration and the union locals disagree about what proportion of the university's instruction and advising the graduate students are responsible for. The union says 60 per cent. U.C.L.A. officials believe the proportion is closer to 20 or 30 per cent. Basically, students say they are looking for a measure of control over their lives.
Many professors support the union campaign.
Edna Bonacich, a professor of sociology and ethnic studies at the Riverside campus, supports the union effort - as a matter of democracy. She doesn't worry that the union would interfere with advising. The model of an apprentice is someone watching over you, teaching you how to stick the bolt into the nut. It's doing the scutwork, a lot of scutwork. However professors want to describe that work, the administration has made clear that the faculty is ultimately responsible for it, regardless of any strike by T.A.'s.