[Educationforall] spam con huevos labor news, views and concerns, 3.7.12-I

Fri Mar 9 02:55:50 UTC 2012

Unions, workers launch ballot drive to protect collective bargaining‏ Economic Recovery for Whom?  Despite Risks, Undocumented Immigrants Stage "Coming Out of the Shadows" Week  On the News With Thom Hartmann: A New Study Shows That Extreme Poverty in America Has Doubled in the Last 15 Years, and More  Workers, state investigators allege labor abuses in warehouse empire - San Bernardino County Sun  California Labor Federation : Exposing The Corporate Deception Act‏ Nearly 1,700 Layoff Warnings Issued by City Schools‏ Spring 2012 National Immigrant Solidarity Network Monthly News Alert!‏MSHA Fell Short in Upper Big Branch Inspections‏Graduate students campaign to unionize‏  
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Unions, workers launch ballot drive to protect
collective bargaining
Tuesday, March 06, 2012, 1:30 PM Updated: Tuesday,
March 06, 2012, 8:53 PM
Angela Wittrock | awittroc at mlive.com By Angela Wittrock
| awittroc at mlive.com MLive.com 
http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/03/unions_workers_launch_ballot_d.html

LANSING - Nurses, teachers, construction workers and
others gathered at the state Capitol Tuesday to launch
their drive to enshrine collective bargaining as a right
guaranteed to employees under the Michigan Constitution.

The "Protect Our Jobs" campaign began Tuesday collecting
the 322,609 signatures needed to get the issue on the
ballot. Organizers have until July 9, 2012 to file the
signature with the Secretary of State.

If the drive is successful, Michigan residents would
vote on the issue Nov. 6.

The ballot initiative would add a section to the state
Constitution outlining the people's right to "organize
together to form, join or assist labor organizations,
and to bargain collectively with a public or private
employer" as permitted under federal statute.

Additionally, the new language would prohibit the
Legislature from enacting laws restricting collective
bargaining.

"Now more than ever, workers need the right to speak up
to protect our wages, our benefits, and our voice - and
that's what this proposal is all about," John Armelagos,
a registered nurse from Ann Arbor. "Michigan workers
helped create the middle class, and now we need to
protect our collective bargaining rights to help rebuild
our economy."

Campaign finance records for the group list Armelagos at
the organization's treasurer.

Michigan lawmakers have made a concerted effort to erode
collective bargaining rights, the group said in a press
release, "doing nothing to help put Michigan back to
work."

The campaign's website lists some 80 bills pending in
the state Legislature that advocates say are attacks on
workers' rights, including a bill passed by the state
House of Representatives making it illegal for graduate
student research employees to form a labor union.

In addition to protecting bargaining rights of
employees, the proposed language would prohibit
retaliation by employers; protect current laws
establishing minimum wages, hours and working
conditions; and give the state power to restrict or
prohibit public employee strikes.

United Auto Workers President Bob King announced his
union's support for the initiative at the UAW's national
conference in Washington, D.C. last week.

King said the union has been "out in front" on the push
to amend the Michigan Constitution to protect collective
bargaining eights.

"We hope that Michigan can lead what will then be
movements around the United States to guarantee workers'
rights to organize and to collective bargaining," he
said.
E-mail Angela Wittrock: awittroc at mlive dot com and
follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/AngelaWittrock and
Facebook, or reach her by phone at 517.219.7073.

____________________________________________

PortsideLabor aims to provide material of interest to
people on the left that will help them to interpret the
world and to change it.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Economic Recovery for Whom?Richard D. Wolff, Truthout: "The truth about 'economic recovery' is that, for the mass of people, it is untrue. For the top 10 percent and especially the top 1 percent - those who brought global capitalism into crisis in 2007 - recovery has been real.... 'Recovery' is the go-to word when business and government impose conditions to make the US more profitable especially for big business. 'Recovery,' in this capitalist economy, refers to profits, not to people." Read the Article 

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Despite Risks, Undocumented Immigrants Stage "Coming Out of the Shadows" WeekYana Kunichoff, Truthout: "Despite a year of record deportations and little movement on a progressive immigration policy, undocumented people are coming out and publicly declaring their immigration status for the third year in a row, telling American society that they are 'undocumented, unafraid and unapologetic.' March 10 will be the first day of a weeklong set of actions by a coalition of groups in Illinois to highlight the continuing crisis caused by enforcement and lack of rights in immigrant communities." Read the Article 

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
On the News With Thom Hartmann: A New Study Shows That Extreme Poverty in America Has Doubled in the Last 15 Years, and MoreIn today's On the News segment: A new study shows that extreme poverty in America has doubled in the last 15 years, a new front has opened up in the battle against Citizens United, European austerity continues to take its toll, and more. Watch the Video and Read the Transcript 

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Workers, state investigators allege labor abuses in warehouse empire - San Bernardino County Sunwww.sbsun.comInland Empire warehouse worker Jorge Soto, who works for a subcontractor handling daily shipments for retail giant Walmart, claims that along with routine jobs such as unloading trucks, he also has been ordered to perform an illegal task: falsifying employees
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
California Labor Federation : Exposing The Corporate Deception Actwww.calaborfed.orgWealthy corporate interests are once again coming after working people in an effort to silence our voice and clear the field of any opposition to their agenda. This latest attack comes in the form of a…
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Nearly 1,700 Layoff Warnings Issued by City Schoolswww.voiceofsandiego.orgBy a unanimous vote, the San Diego Unified school board approves the plan to issue layoff notices in the face of big deficits.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
1 attachment (1.1 KB)message-f...txtDownload(1.1 KB)Download as zipPlease post your immigrant actioncalendar itemsSpring 2012 National Immigrant Solidarity Network Monthly News Digest and News Alert!National Immigrant Solidarity NetworkNo Immigrant Bashing! Support Immigrant Rights!URL: http://www.ImmigrantSolidarity.orge-mail: Info at ImmigrantSolidarity.orgInformation about the Network: FLYER
Washington D.C.: (202)595-8990
New York: (212)330-8172
Los Angeles: (213)403-0131
Chicago: (773)942-2268
Every Donation Counts! Please Support Us!Send check pay to:
National Immigrant Solidarity Network/AFGJ

National Immigrant Solidarity Network
P.O. Box 751
South Pasadena, CA 91031-0751
(All donations are tax deductible)
November 2011 U.S. Immigrant Alert! Newsletter 
Published by National Immigrant Solidarity Network 
Please Our Newsletter: http://www.immigrantsolidarity.org/Newsletter/Spring12.pdf[Requires Adobe Acrobat, to download, go: http://www.adobe.com]
Subscribe to Newsletter | Please Join Our E-Mail List | Please Donate to Us! | Past NISN DigestsMay Day 2012 National Call To the Action! 
NO to the NDAA! 
In This Issue:1) May Day 2012 Call To Action! 
2) The NDAA's Historic Assault on American Liberty 
3) ‘Trespass Bill’ will make protest illegal 
4) ICE Detainee Death in CA 
5) Immig detention is no hospitality suite 
6)3/23 Newark, NJ :Conf on Immigrant Detainees 
7) Updates, Please Support NISN! Subscribe the Newsletter! Please download our latest newsletter: http://www.immigrantsolidarity.org/Newsletter/Spring12.pdf
 May Day 2012National Mobilization For Immigrant Workers Rights!National Immigrant Solidarity Network http://www.immigrantsolidarity.orgPlease send your May Day 2012 action report to info at immigrantsolidarity.orgWe are calling A national day of multi-ethnic unity with youth, labor, peace and justice communities in solidarity with immigrant workers and building new immigrant rights & civil rights movement! Wear White T-Shirt; organize local actions to support immigrant worker rights!1. No to anti-immigrant legislation, police surveillance and the criminalization of the immigrant communities. 
2. No to militarization of the border. 
3. No to the private prison, immigrant detention and deportation. 
4. No to the guest worker program. 
5. No to the NDAA. 
6. Yes to a path to legalization without condition for undocumented immigrants NOW. 
7. Yes to speedy family reunification. 
8. Yes to civil rights and humane immigration law. 
9. Yes to labor rights and living wages for all workers. 
10. Yes to the education and LGBTQ immigrant legislation.We encourages everyone to actively linking our issues with different struggles: wars in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine & Korea with sweatshops exploitation in Asia as well as in Los Angeles, New York; international arm sales and WTO, FTAA, NAFTA & CAFTA with AIDS, hunger, child labors and child solider; as well as multinational corporations and economic exploitation with racism and poverty at home—in order we can win the struggle together at this May Day 2012! The NDAA's Historic Assault on American LibertyBy signing into law the NDAA, the president has awarded the military extraordinary powers to detain US citizens without trialJonathan Turley - Monday, January 2, 2012President Barack Obama rang in the New Year by signing the NDAA law with its provision allowing him to indefinitely detain citizens. It was a symbolic moment, to say the least. With Americans distracted with drinking and celebrating, Obama signed one of the greatest rollbacks of civil liberties in the history of our country ... and citizens partied in unwitting bliss into the New Year.
Ironically, in addition to breaking his promise not to sign the law, Obama broke his promise on signing statements and attached a statement that he really does not want to detain citizens.Obama insisted that he signed the bill simply to keep funding for the troops. It was a continuation of the dishonest treatment of the issue by the White House since the law first came to light. As discussed earlier, the White House told citizens that the
president would not sign the NDAA because of the provision. That spin ended after sponsor Senator Carl Levin (Democrat, Michigan) went to the floor and disclosed that it was the White House and insisted that there be no exception for citizens in the indefinite detention provision.The latest claim is even more insulting. You do not "support our troops" by denying the principles for which they are fighting. They are not fighting to consolidate authoritarian powers in the president. The "American way of life" is defined by our constitution and specifically the bill of rights. Moreover, the insistence that you do not intend to use authoritarian powers does not alter the fact that you just signed an authoritarian measure. It is not the use but the right to use such powers that defines authoritarian systems.The almost complete failure of the mainstream media to cover this issue is shocking. Many reporters have bought into the spin of the Obama administration as they did the spin over torture by the Bush administration. Even today, reporters refuse to call waterboarding torture despite the long line of cases and experts defining waterboarding as torture for decades.On the NDAA, reporters continue to mouth the claim that this law only codifies what is already the law. That is not true. The administration has fought any challenges to indefinite detention to prevent a true court review. Moreover, most experts agree that such indefinite detention of citizens violates the constitution.There are also those who continue the longstanding effort to excuse Obama's horrific record on civil liberties by blaming either others or the times. One successful myth is that there is an exception for citizens. The White House is saying that changes to the law made it unnecessary to veto the legislation. That spin is ridiculous. The changes were the inclusion of
some meaningless rhetoric after key amendments protecting citizens were defeated. The provision merely states that nothing in the provisions could be construed to alter Americans' legal rights. Since the Senate clearly views citizens as not just subject to indefinite detention but even to execution without a trial, the change offers nothing but rhetoric to hide the harsh reality.The Obama administration and Democratic members are in full spin mode - using language designed to obscure the authority given to the military. The exemption for American citizens from the mandatory detention requirement (section 1032) is the screening language for the next section, 1031, which offers no exemption for American citizens from the authorisation to use the military to indefinitely detain people without charge or trial.Obama could have refused to sign the bill and the Congress would have rushed to fund the troops. Instead, as confirmed by Senator Levin, the White House conducted a misinformation campaign to secure this power while portraying the president as some type of reluctant absolute ruler, or, as Obama maintains, a reluctant president with dictatorial powers.Most Democratic members joined their Republican colleagues in voting for this un-American measure. Some Montana citizens are moving to force the removal of these members who, they insist, betrayed their oaths of office and their constituents. Most citizens, however, are continuing to treat the matter as a distraction from the holiday cheer.For civil libertarians, the NDAA is our Mayan moment: 2012 is when the nation embraced authoritarian powers with little more than a pause between rounds of drinks.* Jonathan Turley is a professor of law at George Washington University.

Please download our latest newsletter: http://www.immigrantsolidarity.org/Newsletter/Spring12.pdf Past NISN News LettersWinter 2011 | Summer 2011 | Fall 2011 | November 2011 | Spring 2011 |September - October 2009 | Spring 2010 | Fall 2010 | October-Novermber 10May - June 2009 | March - April 2009 | January - February 2009 | November - December 2008Useful Immigrant Resources on Detention and DeportationFace Sheet: Immigration Detention--Questions and Answers (Dec, 2008) by: http://www.thepoliticsofimmigration.org
Thanks for GREAT works from Detention Watch Network (DWN) to compiled the following information, please visit DWN website:http://www.detentionwatchnetwork.orgTracking ICE's Enforcement Agenda
Real Deal fact sheet on detention
Real Deal fact sheet on border- From Raids to Deportation-A Community Resource Kit
- Know Your Rights in the Community (English, Spanish)
- Know Your Rights in Detention
- Pre-Raid Community Safety Plan
- Raids to Deportation Map
- Raids to Deportation Policy Map
More on Immigration Resource Page
http://www.immigrantsolidarity.org/resource.htm Useful Handouts and Know Your Immigrant Rights When Marches  Immigrant Marches / Marchas de los Inmigrantes(By ACLU)
EN ESPAÑOL 
Acerca de la Union Americana de Libertades CivilesImmigrants and their supporters are participating in marches all over the country to protest proposed national legislation and to seek justice for immigrants. The materials available here provide important information about the rights and risks involved for anyone who is planning to participate in the ongoing marches.If government agents question you, it is important to understand your rights. You should be careful in the way you speak when approached by the police, FBI, or INS. If you give answers, they can be used against you in a criminal, immigration, or civil case.The ACLU's publications below provide effective and useful guidance in several languages for many situations. The brochures apprise you of your legal rights, recommend how to preserve those rights, and provide guidance on how to interact with officials.IMMIGRATION 
Know Your Rights When Encountering Law Enforcement 
| Conozca Sus Derechos Frente A Los Agentes Del Orden Público 

ACLU of Massachusetts - Your Rights And Responsibilities If You Are Contacted By The Authorities English | Spanish | Chinese 

ACLU of Massachusetts - What to do if stopped and questioned about your immigration status on the street, the subway, or the bus 
| Que hacer si Usted es interrogado en el tren o autobus acerca de su estatus inmigratorio 

ACLU of South Carolina - How To Deal With A 287(g) 
| Como Lidiar Con Una 287(g) 

ACLU of Southern California - What to Do If Immigration Agents or Police Stop You While on Foot, in Your Car, or Come to Your Home 
| Qué Hacer Si Agentes de Inmigración o la Policía lo Paran Mientras Va Caminando, lo Detienen en su Auto o Vienen a su Hogar 

ACLU of Washington - Brochure for Iraqis: What to Do If the FBI or Police Contact You for Questioning English | Arabic 

ACLU of Washington - Your Rights at Checkpoints at Ferry Terminals 
| Sus Derechos en Puestos de Control en las Terminales de TransbordadoresLABOR / FREE SPEECH 
Immigrant Protests - What Every Worker Should Know: 
| Manifestaciones de los Inmigrantes - Lo Que Todo Trabajador Debe SaberPROTESTERS 
ACLU of Florida Brochure - The Rights of Protesters 
| Los Derechos de los ManifestantesSTUDENTS 
Washington State - Student Walkouts and Political Speech at School 
| Huelgas Estudiantiles y Expresión Política en las Escuelas 

California Students: Public School Walk-outs and Free Speech 
| Estudiantes de California: Marchas o Huelgas y La Libertad de Expresión en las Escuelas Públicas Please Subscribe to the US Immigration Alert Newsletter!
A Monthly Newsletter from National Immigrant Solidarity Network
1 year subscription rate (12 issues) is $35.00
It will help us pay for the printing costs, as well as funding for the NISN projects (additional donations to the NISN is tax deductible!)

Check pay to: NISN/AFGJNational Immigrant Solidarity NetworkP.O. Box 751South Pasadena, CA 91031-0751Please Join Our Mailing Lists!

- Daily email update:
The National Immigrant Solidarity Network daily news litserv
to join, visit web: http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/isn
or send e-mail to: isn-subscribe at lists.riseup.net

- Regional listservs:
Asian American Labor Activism Alert! Listserv
send-e-mail to: api-la-subscribe at lists.riseup.net
or visit: http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/api-la

New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania areas immigrant workers information and alerts 
send e-mail to: nyc-immigrantalert-subscribe at lists.riseup.net or e-mail request to: info at immigrantsolidarity.org
or visit: http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/nyc-immigrantalertVirginia state-wide immigrant organizing E-mail list
send- e-mail to: va-immigrantrights-subscribe at lists.riseup.net 
or visit:  https://lists.riseup.net/www/info/va-immigrantrights

US-Mexico Border Information: No Militarization of Borders! Support Immigrant Rights! 
send e-mail to: Border01-subscribe at yahoogroups.com 
or visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Border01/Immigrant Deportation and Detention Alert!
send e-mail to: isn-deportees-subscribe at lists.riseup.netChicago/Midwest/Great Lake Region Immigrant List
send e-mail to: chicago-immigrantrights at lists.riseup.net
or visit: https://lists.riseup.net/www/info/chicago-immigrantrights

Please Donate to National Immigrant Solidarity Network!
All Donations Are Tax Deductible!Make check payable to NISN/AFGJ and it will be tax deductible! Send your check to:
National Immigrant Solidarity Network
P.O. Box 751
South Pasadena, CA 91031-0751
Los Angeles, California 90048
____ $100.00 ____ $ 50.00 ____ $ 35.00 ____ Other Amount $___________
($35 or more will receive 1 year free subscriptions of the Immigration Alert! Newsletter Print Edition)Every Donation Counts! Please Support Us!   ============================================================================== 
National Immigrant Solidarity Network
No Immigrant Bashing! Support Immigrant Rights!webpage: http://www.ImmigrantSolidarity.orge-mail: info at ImmigrantSolidarity.orgNew York: (212)330-8172Los Angeles: (213)403-0131Washington D.C.: (202)595-8990Chicago: (773)942-2268
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
March 7, 2012
New York City carwash workers are following their Los Angeles counterparts to battle rampant mistreatment, wage theft and unsafe working conditions.The Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA’s) enforcement effort and practices at Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch (W.Va.) mine had many significant failures before the April 2010 explosion that killed 29 miners, according to MSHA’s own report on its actions released yesterday. Read more and comment.  New York City Carwash Workers Launch Fight for Rights Donate Now to Help Tornado Victims Spotlight Increases on Arizona’s Goldwater Institute as More Crazy Bills Surface New Hampshire Working Families Won’t Back Down New AFL-CIO ‘En Español’ Site Serves as Hub for Working Latino Families CWA/AT&T Mobility Pact Brings Jobs Back to U.S.; Other Talks Continue Republican Attacks on Workers Backfire in OhioRead more important news of the day on the issues working families care about.Follow the AFL-CIO:
            Take the next step. Become a mobile activist
by joining the AFL-CIO Rapid Action Text Team.
Text NEWS to AFLCIO (235246) to receive action alerts and more.
(Message and data rates may apply.)
To find out more about the AFL-CIO, please visit our website at www.aflcio.org.Click here to unsubscribe
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Graduate students campaign to unionize
By Melissa Maynard
Stateline
February 29, 2012
http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=635334

Pulling all-nighters in research labs and subsisting on
little more than ramen noodles has long been a rite of
passage for graduate students.

But some are now looking to unions for help setting
limits on the austere lifestyle and extreme working
conditions that pursuing an advanced degree often
requires. They argue that state universities have made
a habit of plugging budget holes by asking them to
shoulder more of the teaching and research work in the
place of regular, full-time faculty and staff -- making
it difficult for them to complete their degrees on
time. Working as a research or teaching assistant, they
say, is a form of employment that should entitle them
to collective bargaining representation with their
universities over pay, benefits and working conditions
just like other public employees.

Teaching and research assistant programs usually offer
students tuition reimbursement and a stipend in
exchange for work they conduct under the close
supervision of a faculty advisor. Often this work is
tightly woven into their degree programs, with the
faculty advisor also holding tremendous power over the
student's academic future.

"You don't want to say no to your [advisor] because
they might be on your academic committee," says Todd
Reynolds, a field staff representative for the American
Federation of Teachers-Maryland, which is pushing a
bill in the Maryland legislature that would allow
research and teaching assistants to unionize. Reynolds
says the arrangement leads to power dynamics that are
ripe for abuse, with faculty advisors sometimes asking
their assistants to spend hours making photocopies,
walking their dogs or completing other chores unrelated
to their area of study.

Teaching vs. research

Graduate student unionization is getting a big push
this year in Hawaii, Maryland and Michigan, but the
issue has actually been around for quite a while. Some
14 states -- including California, Illinois, Florida and
Pennsylvania -- already allow collective bargaining for
some graduate student employees, according to the
Coalition of Graduate Employee Unions. But research
assistants, as opposed to teaching assistants, are
sometimes ineligible for union membership even in the
states that offer it. In Hawaii, a bill that has been
approved by the House Committee on Higher Education
would add both teaching and research assistants to the
list of public employees eligible for collective
bargaining rights under state law. University of Hawaii
graduate assistants and researchers say they haven't
had a raise since 2004 and are paid far less than their
counterparts at other major research universities,
especially when the high cost of living in Hawaii is
factored into the equation. In a budget-cutting
environment, they argue, they can be targets for
exploitation, without access to a grievance process or
other recourse.

"The university has not acted on our behalf at all to
raise the salaries," says Ahnate Lin, a Ph.D. student
in cognitive psychology. "It's kind of up to us at this
time." Lin says that in Hawaii buying simple
necessities like milk is prohibitively expensive ($5 to
$6 a gallon) and rental costs are comparable to those
in New York City. He says the only housing he can
afford with his $17,000 annual stipend is a room in a
boarding house that is dirty, needs major repairs and
lacks a proper kitchen. "It's not uncommon to feel
helpless," he says.

Unintended consequences?

The University of Hawaii is opposing the legislation on
the grounds that the work graduate assistants do is an
integral part of their education. "Our goal is to train
and mentor these graduate assistants so that we can get
them to the point where they can function as
professionals and begin their careers," says Linda
Johnsrud, the university's executive vice president for
academic affairs.

Johnsrud told a legislative hearing that unionization
could have unintended consequences for the students
because everything from tuition waivers to health
insurance would suddenly become negotiable. Other
university employees have seen their salaries cut as a
result of budget reductions, while student assistants
have been shielded from such hardship, she said. At the
University of Michigan, where unions exist and stipends
are more generous, the debate has centered on who
qualifies for membership. Teaching and staff assistants
have long been unionized as part of the Graduate
Employees Organization (GEO), an arm of the American
Federation of Teachers, and research assistants were
briefly included when the union formed in 1975. But
research assistants were placed outside the definition
of public employees in a 1981 decision by the state's
Employment Relations Commission. GEO is now pushing
for a vote that would enable graduate research
assistants to choose whether they would like to join a
union.

The university's governing Board of Regents has voted
to allow research assistants to take a vote on
unionization, while President Mary Sue Coleman and a
key faculty committee oppose such a move on the grounds
that dissertation research is an integrated part of
graduate student education. Those efforts have prompted
the Michigan Employment Relations Commission and a
state administrative law judge to review the 1981
decision to determine whether there have been material
changes to the relationship that the university has
with its graduate research assistants.

Proponents of unionization argue that the university
now leans more heavily on graduate assistants to
fulfill its research-focused mission. The Michigan
Senate passed a bill last week that would render that
argument moot by explicitly excluding research
assistants from the state's collective bargaining law
for public employees.

Professors affronted The debate has exposed large fault
lines dividing students and faculty on the question of
who is a "student" and who is an "employee," and who
needs protection from whom. "As professors and graduate
program administrators, we view it as a serious affront
when our students are treated like employees," Victor
DiRita, a professor and associate dean at the
University of Michigan Medical School, said at a
January Regents meeting. "These young trainees are not
our employees: We do not think of them in that way, and
we do not want them to think of themselves that way.
Throughout the training of each student, we have our
sensitivities attuned to any indication that the
student is being treated as the employee of a thesis
advisor."

A group calling itself Students Against Graduate
Student Research Assistant Unionization is working with
the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation on a legal
strategy and public relations campaign opposing
unionization. The group argues that the benefits of
unions are dubious and the costs are high -- a mandatory
1.53 percent paycheck deduction even for those who
don't choose to join. "We feel like the university has
our best interest in mind more than the union does,"
says Stephen Raiman, the group's founder and a Ph.D.
student in nuclear engineering. "This is not a
profit-driven corporation that's trying to get as much
work out of us for as little wages as they can. It's an
educational institution."

In a video that makes the case against unionization,
research assistant Melinda Day worries about how
inserting a third party into the supervision of her
research might be harmful as she pursues a Ph.D. in
biology. "It would hinder our ability to do science,"
Day says. "Cells don't know that work hours are 9 to 5.
Cells don't know when it's the weekend. I recently
completed an experiment that involved taking samples
every eight hours. I wouldn't have been able to do that
under the strict work-hour regulations the GEO wants."

--Contact Melissa Maynard at mmaynard at stateline.org

____________________________________________

PortsideLabor aims to provide material of interest to
people on the left that will help them to interpret the
world and to change it.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Material appearing here is distributed without profit or monitory gain to those who have expressed an interest in receiving the material for research and educational purposes. This is in accordance with Title 17 U. S. C. section 107..
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html

Listen to Native Voice One http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/nv1/ppr/index.shtml

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://lists.aktivix.org/pipermail/educationforall/attachments/20120308/95e365a2/attachment-0001.html>