Teaching assistants at the University of California are planning a strike this fall on eight campuses. They are demanding that the university system recognize their right to engage in collective bargaining. University officials are strongly opposed to that demand, which they say is inappropriate because graduate students are enrolled in degree programs and their work resembles an apprenticeship. But the union organizers say that T.A.'s are primarily employees and should be viewed as such. The conflict in California may have a nationwide impact on this debate. Should teaching assistants be considered apprentices or employees? Should they have the right to unionize? For further information, see this background story:
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