On December 5, what had been planned as a solidarity rally became a victory rally for the GSEAC, which is part of the United Auto Workers union.

Throughout the planning process of the strike, the graduate student employees won wide support. Unionized drivers of the Metro Transit System forced the rerouting of buses when they announced that they expected to respect the picket lines of the teachers' assistants (TAs), graders, and readers. Members of the GSEAC supported the newspaper workers on strike here, and in turn won support from the Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild.

The Faculty Senate, as well as the Associated Students of the University of Washington, voted to support the strike. The undergraduate students organized the victory rally. Even some state legislators criticized administration arguments against recognizing the union.

Steve Williamson of the King County Labor Council remarked that the TAs won because "this university knew that this would not be a limited strike. This university knew that each union would walk with the TAs."

Several students representing organizations in the school spoke at the rally in support of GSEAC/UAW. GSEAC member Alyssa Karl told undergraduate students at the rally, "Your support has been integral in our struggle."

A number of students interviewed stated that, while a strike was averted when they gained official union recognition, further protests can be expected in the coming months if the administration does not respond to the needs of the graduate student employees.

Brendan Weinhold is an undergraduate student at the University of Washington.  
 
 
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