Court strikes key portions of Anti-Union Act 10
Statement by the Teaching Assistants’ Association (TAA) of UW-Madison
The Teaching Assistants’ Association, the union for UW-Madison Graduate Workers, welcomed the news that Dane County Circuit Court has struck the limitations on collective bargaining in Act 10. We are still reviewing the decision, but this validates what Wisconsin workers have long known: Act 10 is an attack on the working people of Wisconsin, and targeted specific public sector unions on the basis of political favoritism.
“We are gratified that the court has agreed with us, our many co-plaintiffs, and public servants throughout the state, that the distinctions Act 10 draws between different work categories are arbitrary and unconstitutional,” Daniel Levitin, co-president of the union, said. “When public sector workers make a living wage and have a say over their working conditions, they can better serve the people of Wisconsin through their teaching, service, professionalism, and expertise.”
Soon after we joined this suit last year, UW-Madison announced substantial raises in the minimum stipend for UW graduate workers. Our organizing with our sibling AFT higher education unions led, this year, to a guarantee of paid family leave for UW grad workers and for faculty and academic staff throughout the Universities of Wisconsin.
“As the effects of this decision become clear and as the legal process continues, we are confident that our growing membership and the energy behind labor organizing in Wisconsin will continue to make gains for all workers in this state, and for the Wisconsinites we serve,” Madeline Topf, co-president of the union, said.
“Graduate workers look forward to claiming our seat at the table to ensure our teaching and research, which helps make UW-Madison a world-class university, are supported and compensated fairly,” Daniel Levitin co-president of TAA said. “The winds of change are blowing in our direction and we urge the university to take note and voluntarily recognize the TAA as the union of graduate workers and be prepared to meet us at the bargaining table.”
“There is no better time to join your union,” Madeline Topf said.
The Teaching Assistants’ Association, organized in 1969, is the union of graduate assistants at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Our teaching, research, and service to the University is essential to making UW–Madison a world-class institution serving the people of Wisconsin.
Press contact:
Daniel Levitin, co-President