美国一大学教职工掀起新一轮罢工潮
Hundreds of staffers at American University in Washington, D.C., say they are planning to go on strike Monday over complaints of unfair working conditions and low wages.
The strike, which is scheduled to last for five days, comes after the university and its union did not reach an agreement on a new contract that provides employees with better wages and equity pay(股权性薪酬), according to the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 500. Currently, there are 550 staff members at the university who are represented by SEIU Local 500. More than 91% of American University’s staff voted in favor of the week-long strike, according to the union.
“Over almost two years of bargaining(谈判), the Union has made multiple proposals around wages and reasonable pay structures,” said Pia Morrison, president of SEIU Local 500, in a statement. “The administration’s choice to walk away from negotiations and refuse to meet over the weekend gives staff little choice but to strike,” Morrison added. SEIU says they are aiming to get raises for staff totaling 9% over two years. In addition, the union has also filed unfair labor practice charges against the university.
In a statement released Sunday, President Sylvia M. Burwell said the university has been negotiating with SEIU Local 500 since last May, citing agreements were reached on “almost all the contract provisions(条款).” However, the university and its union were unable to reach an agreement on the measures of compensation for its employees. “I want to assure you that the university has negotiated in good faith. Our fair and reasonable compensation proposal, which represents our best and final offer, is based on our commitment to our staff,” she added.
On Aug. 19, provost(教务长) and chief academic officer Peter Starr emphasized that the university’s current offer to the union, which includes the increase in wages for its long-serving staff, would be the largest increase in compensation in “almost a decade.”
Earlier this month, the staff union voted to authorize a strike of up to five days if an agreement in its contract was not reached by Aug. 22. Classes for the fall semester begin for students on Aug. 29.
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1.What do we know about the strike?
A All staffers at American University in Washington, D.C will join it.
B It is supposed to last a whole week from Monday to Sunday.
C The majority of American University’s staff were supportive of the strike.
D It is organized by Pia Morrison, president of SEIU Local 500.
解析：选C。C细节理解题。根据第二段最后一句的“More than 91% of American University’s staff voted in favor of the week-long strike”可知，超过91%的美利坚大学教职员工支持这次罢工。故选C。
2.What action has the SEIU Local 500 taken?
A It has made various suggestions about university staff members’ pay.
B It refused to have further negotiations with the university administration.
C It has aimed to increase staff members’ pay by nine percent every year.
D It has threatened to file unfair labor practice charges against the university.
解析：选A。A 细节理解题。根据第三段第一句中的“Over almost two years of bargaining, the Union has made multiple proposals around wages and reasonable pay structures”可知，在近两年的协商中，SEIU Local 500就员工工资和工资结构做了很多提议。故选A。
3.What is the major reason for the present situation based on the statement released Sunday?
A A. The university started the negotiation with SEIU Local 500 too late.
B B. Few agreements were reached between the university and SEIU Local 500.
C There were disagreements between the university and its union.
D The university didn’t take the interest of its staff seriously.
解析：选C。C细节理解题。根据第四段第二句“However, the university and its union were unable to reach an agreement on the measures of compensation for its employees.”可知，造成当前局面的主要原因是该大学和大学工会没能达成一致协议，即他们之间有分歧。故选C。
4.From which section of a website can you probably find the passage?
A Celebrity.
B Entertainment.
C Technology.
D Education.
解析：选D。D推理判断题。根据全文可知，本文主要讲的是一所大学的教职员工为争取自己权益将进行罢工，学校与教育相关，因此我们最有可能在教育版块读到本文。故选D。