Seattle - As the legislature returns to session, members of the newly formed TA union at the University of Washington, prepare to lobby for recognition as the exclusive bargaining agent. Joining forces with the United Auto Workers, they are making demands that will cut educational opportunities for students.

Research finds that the unionization of University of Washington teaching assistants would; raise tuition, force academic departments to make large cuts, strain the relationships between graduate students and non-union faculty, and place a higher tax burden on taxpayers.

Washington Policy Center, a nonprofit, research and education organization, outlines the effects a TA union would have on the University of Washington campus and the state, in "Teaching Assistants Hold Undergraduates Hostage, Demanding an Exclusive Union and Higher Pay."

"The union wants more than just recognition," said Paul Guppy, director of research for Washington Policy Center. "They are demanding a number of benefits that will drive up tuition costs at the University of Washington."

• A 12% increase in compensation and benefits every year for 3 years, totaling approximately $10 million, plus $1.5 million each year for additional health benefits.
• A union representative hired by the UW to work full time in each of the 89 academic departments to promote the union.
• Increased arbitration on academic issues like evaluations and course assignments.

Last June, the TAs went on strike during finals week, refusing to administer tests, hold office hours for undergraduates, or grade papers. Some students lost their financial aid for a time because their grades were not complete.

"Undergraduate students were left on their own to deal with the consequences of last year's strike," said Jason Smosna, author of the study and UW undergraduate student, "if they succeed in gaining recognition we could face more strikes this year."