Research Continuity:
Considerations in Case of a Strike
Dear Colleagues,
The United Auto Workers (UAW), which represents bargaining units at UCI for Academic Researchers, Postdoctoral Scholars, Graduate Student Researchers, and Academic Student Employees has authorized a strike vote. The vote is taking place this week, May 13 through 15. If UAW members vote to strike, a systemwide strike may occur as early as tomorrow evening.
At this time, it is not known if a strike will take place, how long it could last, and what its potential impact on UCI’s research enterprise might be. Therefore, I recommend that researchers immediately review their research continuity plans, which should consider a scenario where most research personnel (e.g., GSRs, postdocs, and professional researchers) are not available.
When reviewing their plans, researchers should consider the following (as applicable):
- For research involving animals, plants, cell lines, and other valuable research assets, ensure that continuity plans address their on-going care and maintenance in a minimal staffing scenario. For research labs that care for their own animals, please contact ULAR to discuss the need for potential animal care support.
- Safeguard critical data assets by backing them up, as well as ensuring their accessibility and security.
- Postpone experiments if safety requirements and safeguards cannot be met or implemented with minimal staffing.
- During a strike, campus community members and visitors to UCI may prefer to work or attend campus events remotely. Consider this when planning research-related activities and events, including postponing such activities and events or offering hybrid options.
- Check in with shared research facilities and resources to learn about their continuity plans. Shared facilities and resources at UCI and other campuses may be inadequately staffed during a strike; therefore, please be aware of local situations before traveling to and conducting research at other campuses.
If you have questions, please submit them to continuity@uci.edu.
Pramod Khargonekar, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Research
Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science |
