The coalition holds

Now all four campus unions have approved strike authorization votes for the end of this month.  The DE has a story on the FA, NTT-FA, and ACsEs; and Kristi on her blog announces the decision by GAs.

None of these votes was easy to take. I'm sure there was healthy debate within each local. But the unions are moving forward, together--though I'm sure also that all are united in hoping that strike authorization votes don't have to lead to actual strikes.

DRC moves to hold strike authorization vote

After a General Membership Meeting of the FA this evening, the DRC (Departmental Representatives Council) tonight voted to have the full membership of the FA (dues paying members) vote on September 28th whether or not to authorize the DRC to call a strike. If the vote carries (by a majority of those members who turn out to vote), the DRC would then have the power to call a strike at a date of its choosing.

The thinking, I believe, is that the DRC is the most representative body in the FA (save the full membership itself, of course), but also has the ability to coordinate with other locals, and to respond to any changes in the bargaining situation (things the full membership could not do itself). The DRC vote is a major step forward in preparation for a strike, and the membership vote would be a still greater one. If members approve the measure, they will give their elected representatives the authority to call a strike on their behalf.

Strikeometer #1

[Note: Those lucky enough to be too young to remember the "Doomsday Clock" of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists may not understand this splendid new feature. The "clock" reflects my guesstimate as to how close we are to a strike (and so the starting time is decidedly arbitrary).  The clock can move closer or farther from midnight, depending on developments.  Don't worry: by January first, the clock should be set in the AM.  The Atomic Scientists, by the way, currently have their clock set at 11:54 PM (they now include the threat of a manmade catastrophe from either nuclear weapons or climate change). 

Strikeometer = 11:48:37 PM

After reading tonight's dueling emails which--whatever your point of view--clearly talked past one another, I've decided to institute an exciting new deo volente feature, the Strikeometer.  You'll note that I've invested in a nifty digital clock, which is uncannily accurate to the nearest second, thanks to a proprietary formula I've purchased from an outside firm.

At midnight, Strikeometer time, we (or at least many of us) would go on strike.