A strike is a concerted work stoppage or slowdown.

A strike is a powerful way for our union and its members to win a fair contract, especially when management is refusing to take bargaining seriously. The results of a successful strike can be profound, as we have seen recently with the strike at Rutgers, the New School, and University of Illinois-Chicago.

An Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) is a violation of the National Labor Relations Act. A ULP strike is any refusal to work that was precipitated or lengthened by an unfair labor practice(s) caused or committed by the employer. The National Labor Relations Board writes that, “Employees who strike to protest an unfair labor practice committed by their employer are called unfair labor practice strikers. Such strikers can be neither discharged nor permanently replaced. When the strike ends, unfair labor practice strikers, absent serious misconduct on their part, are entitled to have their jobs back even if employees hired to do their work have to be discharged.”

Wellesley’s unlawful conduct, including refusing to provide information necessary to bargain and threatening to apply an unlawful protest policy to workers, has thwarted progress in bargaining over key issues.

Striking is a last resort and is the strongest tool we have to secure a fair contract. We hope the College avoids a strike rectifying its unlawful conduct and reaching a fair agreement, but until we see such progress, we will prepare to strike.

Striking means we refrain from doing our work, including, teaching, grading, holding office hours, curriculum development, corresponding with students about course content (we recommend setting an out of the office email) and advising. While on strike, we engage in organized picketing around campus and other activities that draw public attention to our campaign.

If a strike is called, the bargaining committee will decide on a length in consultation with members.

The WOAW-UAW Bargaining Committee and Organizing Committee called for a Strike Authorization Vote after 19 bargaining sessions and over 70 hours of face-to-face negotiations. The vote opened on Friday, February 14th and closed Thursday, February 20th. 75% of the unit voted with 93% voting in favor of authorizing a strike if necessary in order to remedy the College’s unlawful conduct and reach a fair agreement.

A picket line is a public expression by striking workers of their dispute, which conveys a request for other workers and community members to join them in solidarity.