¡Sí, Se Puede! / Yes, We Can! by Diana Cohn

While it is true that the main Unit 18 contract contains a no-strike clause, that clause does not apply to these negotiations, and Demonstration Teachers retain our legal right to strike based on unfair labor practices. Is it legal for Demonstration Teachers to go on strike? You can read the Public Employment Relation Board’s Complaint which alleges UC Management has committed unfair labor practices. Our strike is not an economic strike it is an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike. Please read “ What Teachers are Proposing and Why ” for information on every one of our proposals.ĭemonstration Teachers are striking because UC Management and lab school administrators have committed unfair labor practices (violations of labor law) by refusing to negotiate mandatory subjects of bargaining and making unilateral changes to working conditions. These negotiations are NOT all about compensation - UC Management is legally obligated to negotiate other topics. UC Management is not following past practice by refusing to negotiate anything other than compensation. Past practice has been for lab school Demonstration Teachers to have a separate Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that addresses the needs of teachers who teach elementary school-aged children.

Demonstration Teachers at the lab school have different needs and job responsibilities than university lecturers. Apprentice Teachers and Teaching Assistants (TAs) are not Demonstration Teachers.ĭemonstration Teachers are members of the UC-AFT Bargaining Unit 18 which includes UC lecturers. Demonstration Teachers are all of the classroom teachers (which includes Specialists).

¡Sí, Se Puede! / Yes, We Can! by Diana Cohn