October 26, 2007
Dear CUE Employee Statewide,
Effective October 1, 2007, the University of California was required to pay a 4.5% wage increase under the terms of the current CUE-UC contract. For those of you on a monthly pay schedule you will see this increase on your November 1st paychecks. However, UC has refused to implement the increase as agreed for those on a bi-weekly pay schedule. UC is proposing instead to implement the new rates for the first full pay period in October that is, effective October 7th. By doing this we believe that UC has blatantly violated the contract, which clearly establishes the October 1st date for all CUE-represented employees. On behalf of those employees on a bi-weekly pay schedule, CUE has filed a grievance against UC. See
Oct. 17, 2007 letter to Peter Chester (if this link doesn't work, please go to: www.cueunion.org, where you will find the letter posted). CUE Statewide is working with our attorneys [concerning the first five days in October for our bi-weekly paid employees] to force UC to honor its contractual obligations to clericals on a bi-weekly pay schedule and will continue to push this matter until it is resolved.
Our current contract expires September 30, 2008, less than a year from now. So, this is the last scheduled pay increase until we negotiate a new contract. Given UC's reluctance to provide any increases for staff and the shortfalls in the state budget, we can expect a hard fight. As we gear up for contract talks, which will be starting early next year, you can help. How? First, by making sure that you are a member. If you've never filled out and turned in a membership form, you are not a CUE member. You are represented by CUE but have no voice in the union. What does that mean? It means that you can't run for office, vote in union elections or vote to accept or reject the next contract you will be working under. UC knows our membership numbers (their payroll offices deduct our dues from our paychecks); so, by joining, you show UC that you support your union and its bargaining efforts. Please go to:
Membership Application Form and join today!
If you're already a member, make sure your co-workers are, too. We're all in this together! And when your local asks for volunteers, show up! We need you!
On behalf on the Statewide Executive Board and our Statewide Legislative Committee,
Jen Smith, President