Dive Brief:

• The University of California has tentatively agreed to a four-year contract with 13,000 graduate teaching assistants and tutors.
• A ratification vote by the UC Student-Workers Union United Auto Workers Local 2865 is scheduled for next week.
• The tentative agreement heads off a threatened 10-day strike — which would have come during final exams — over alleged unfair labor practices and intimidation.

Dive Insight:

The proposed contract calls for a 5% raise the first year, followed by raises of 4% each of the next two years, and 3 percent% in the final year, the Los Angeles Times reported. New parents would get expanded leaves, and childcare subsidies would be improved. Grad student teaching assistants typically earn $17,000 per year for working 20 hours per week, while tutors earn $12 to $20 per hour working up to 10 hours per week. Also in the proposed contract, the university system would create fellowships and other ways to help grad students without legal immigration status.