Dear Friend --
The massive statewide strike of 48,000 academic workers at the University of California began Monday, with strong support from DSA and YDSA. Academic workers are scraping by, facing the East Bay’s steep rents, lack of job security, and zero support for working parents. And the corporate elites who make up the UC Regents want to keep it that way, insisting these workers should feel honored to be exploited by such a prestigious university. But the strike’s message is simple: academic workers are workers, and they deserve a dignified life, with living wage and childcare benefits. Stand with UC workers - sign up to join us at the strike >> <[link removed]>
Friend, we’re your East Bay Labor Solidarity co-chairs, Richard, Medb and Maddy Grace, and we’ve been on the line this week. Here’s what we saw!
1. Socialists are out in force. At least 60 East Bay DSA comrades turned out in solidarity on the UC Berkeley picket lines in just the first two days of the strike, joining our Cal YDSA comrades, and many more of our members among the striking workers. And Bernie raised his voice in support of the UAW workers, as well.
Our presence has bolstered the spirits of these workers, who are just getting started on what could be a prolonged struggle. And we have been buoyed and transformed by the experience of fighting in solidarity alongside our sisters and brothers for demands that unite us as members of California’s working class.
Sather Gate on Monday. Unaffordable housing is a major focal point of the strike.
These workers need our support to force the largest landlord in California – the corporate-embedded UC Regents — to take on the housing affordability crisis. That will take strong picket lines. This is an open-ended strike, and we’ll be there Monday through Friday, 8 am till 5 pm, for as long as it takes to win. Sign up <[link removed]> to join us!
2. Solidarity is fun! On Monday, the strike kicked off with large, spirited picket lines at 8 locations across campus (find them on this map <[link removed]>). The pickets converged in a huge noontime rally at Sproul Plaza reminiscent of the Free Speech Movement back in 1964. As socialists, we felt right at home joining thousands of academic workers and supporters in singing “Solidarity Forever.”
East Bay DSA and Cal YDSA comrades at Sproul Plaza on Monday.
Tuesday’s pickets coalesced in a noontime March that nearly encircled the entire campus. And we had a lot of fun! Lines featured speak outs, teach-ins, live music and even salsa dancing lessons and bagpipes.
3. Union members in other industries have got the academic workers’ backs. Yesterday, at the crack of dawn, East Bay DSA members, including several who are also UAW workers, joined over 40 union members to convince building trades workers to shut down a construction site.
On Wednesday, carpenters, electricians and laborers agreed to honor the picket line at a large construction site on the northside of campus.
Meanwhile, UPS Teamsters have officially sanctioned the strike, and a constant cacophony of cars and trucks honk in solidarity throughout the day.
This is the largest strike in the country since 2019. Be part of this historic uprising against austerity and privatization in public education. Sign up <[link removed]> and join us on the picket line soon!
In solidarity,
Maddy Grace W, Medb G and Richard M
East Bay Labor Solidarity
(a subcommittee of East Bay DSA’s Labor Committee)
Read more about UAW’s demands and the importance of this strike in East Bay Majority <[link removed]>.
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East Bay DSA - United States
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