I was around in 2003 (but not for the strike - I finished up before then). Most of us were ill-informed. I voted against the early authorization (fall '02 or spring '03 - I don't quite remember), because it seemed silly to authorize a strike before negotiations had even begun.

Basically, the socialist circle-jerk that runs the union wants to have the power to call a strike when they feel like it, without having to explain why. Advance authorization is a great way to do that, and most GSIs are silly lemmings who'll vote for it. When it actually comes time to strike, they may have an acute case of buyer's remorse. If we had struck when I was there, I probably would have left the union - that's how little faith I had in the collective wisdom of the union leadership. In the end, I think that if you take an unreasonable position in negotiations, you just encourage the other side to do the same, and that seems to be the way that most Berkeley unions do things (not just AGSE.)

(And yes, in case my disparaging ad hominem attack didn't get the point across, I do think the union is run by a bunch of out-of-touch whackos.)
 

As a GSI who was an undergrad at NYU (where a nasty strike took place last year). It seems unions are never in touch with their members. Especially not those of us in the sciences who choose not to pay enough dues to vote. Too bad though, if we all DID get a vote I'm sure none of us would authorize a strike.

It seems silly that I have to pay dues and I still can't vote (because I don't pay "enough")

Either way, they can strike all they like. I doubt anyone in my department will even care.
 

Dear Members of UAW Local 2865,

With thousands of UAW 2865 members voting in the last two weeks, academic
student employees throughout the UC system voted by a 97% margin to give the
Bargaining Team the authority to call a strike if circumstances justify. This
vote sends a clear message to the University that the Bargaining Team has the
support of a strong, active membership.

We would like to thank all members, and especially all the volunteers, who
participated and made this election a success. We will keep you updated
regarding negotiations as bargaining progresses this spring.

Last: Please mark your calendars for our *Annual Statewide Membership Meeting*,
February 10, 2007 @ UCLA. More information will follow soon, including location
information and exact times. This is an extremely important meeting where we
will ratify our bargaining proposals and discuss mobilization plans for our
contract campaign.

In Solidarity,

Executive Board
UAW Local 2865

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UAW 2865 Berkeley
2372 Ellsworth
Berkeley, CA 94704
phone: (510) 549-3863 / fax: (510) 549-2514
berkeley@uaw2865.org / www.uaw2865.org