In labor news, University of California graduate student workers ratified a new contract last Friday, putting an end to their historic six-week strike. The strike involved 48,000 student workers at all 10 UC campuses. The contract includes increases in salary, more child care support, and new measures to protect against bullying and harassment.

But some union members rejected the new contract, including a majority of voters at the Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara and Merced campuses. Opponents say the economic gains don’t go nearly far enough; the new agreement weakens the ability to organize; and initial demands that would have benefited undocumented, international and disabled workers were sacrificed.

Meanwhile, here in New York, part-time and non-tenure-track full-time faculty at Fordham University have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike starting January 30 if they are unable to reach a tentative agreement and a commitment to fair wages.