From a reader:

Assuming that ‘grad’ students in the US are the same as post-graduate students in the UK, it is ludicrous for them to consider striking.
Graduate students, especially in the sciences, should be treated like
the Apprentices of Sorcerers. They should be paid very little and made
to work long hours at menial laboratory tasks. Such treatment teaches
them humility you see, and makes sure they dont get too cocky about the
great powers they are soon to learn.