by Michael Burawoy | Jun 29, 2020 | Commentary, Weekly
It’s time to take stock of the academic year that was, with a few highlights from our Annual Report. Events have been taken over by Covid-19, whose repercussions are still unraveling, sending the university into a tailspin. All the gains made by the university over...
by Michael Burawoy | Jun 22, 2020 | Commentary, Weekly
During the last few weeks, the campus administration has offered a number of declarations of anti-racism. We have no doubt that they are expressions of genuine concern. Yet the financial decisions of the administration appear to be seriously at odds with their words....
by Michael Burawoy | Jun 8, 2020 | Commentary, Weekly
The Berkeley Faculty Association joins widespread condemnation of the brutal attacks on Black people in the United States, including this letter supporting the Law Students of African Descent (LSAD) in their stand against police violence. The BFA’s mandate is to...
by Michael Burawoy | Jun 1, 2020 | Commentary, Weekly
UCOP is famed for its tough bargaining tactics in its dealings with its unions. From its ongoing conflict with AFSCME for failing to comply with its own rules around subcontracting, to a belligerent tendency to cancel AFT bargaining sessions at the last minute, to a...
by Michael Burawoy | May 25, 2020 | Commentary, Weekly
The BFA had its end-of-year Board Meeting on May 13th. We had a lively discussion (by Zoom, of course) about how the BFA should advocate for faculty with regard to looming fiscal challenges and their repercussions. We agreed that this is not a time for the...