ASE represents over 1,000 graduate and undergraduate student employees, including Teaching Assistants, Research Assistant s, Readers, and Tutors. ASE is affiliated with the UAW, although it is an independent union. Organization and Operation ASE has a democratically-elected executive council of four to five individuals. It also has a paid staff person who usually serves as an executive council member, as well. ASE also has an appointed Stewar ds' Council with representatives from most departments.
Salaries vary widely from board to board and between graduate and undergraduate student employees.
The average salary is unknown. ASE has served as a consultant and representative in a number of grievance cases. The strike was held simultaneously with a strike by AGSE at UC Berkeley. It was successful in seriously disrupting the campus. ASE has been working to sign up the undergraduate Readers and Tutors on the Santa Cruz campus.