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Dear clerical coworker,

AFSCME is the union that represents service workers, such as custodians, food service, mail delivery and groundskeepers. Along with clericals, these workers are among the lowest-paid in the UC system. Like us, they have to fight for fair pay, respect on the job, better promotional opportunities and an end to favoritism and discrimination. UC uses the same unfair bargaining tactics with AFSCME as they do with CUE.

AFSCME will have a one-day strike on Thursday, April 14, 2005. CUE encourages you to do what you can to support the striking AFSCME workers. CUE pledges to support any clerical who honors the picket line and decides not to go to work. We encourage you to support the strike in any way you can (some options are listed below).

Here is a CUE Q&A:

Q: Why should I support the AFSCME picketers?

A: The service workers are our co-workers. They are the custodians who clean our buildings, the food service workers who prepare food in the cafeterias, and the groundskeepers who maintain the campus grounds. The stronger any union is, the stronger CUE will be. Solidarity with other labor unions can only benefit the clericals as well.

A: You have the right, under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, not to cross a picket line. The no-strike language in CUE's contract is not in effect right now, because our last contract has expired and the next one hasn't been agreed on yet.

A: You can take a day of leave without pay, or you can ask for vacation or comp time off ahead of time so you don't have to cross the picket line. Sick outs are not legal strikes. If you are not ill, you should not call in sick. You can simply not cross the picket line, in which case you will be pay-docked for the day. CUE will support any worker who is disciplined or hassled for not coming to work.

A: CUE encourages you to wear a pin, wear your union t-shirt, and go out to the picket lines on your breaks and at lunch, and before or after work. Contact your local for information on what other actions or rallies may be planned.

A: No. You don't need to notify her or him although if you want to call in, you can. Vacation and comp time, of course, have to be approved in advance.

A: The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and California State Law protect the right of peaceful picketing to publicize a dispute. The U.S. Supreme Court has held a peaceful picketing which is designed to inform and persuade the public is within the area of free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution.

A: No. You will not be paid for the day but you will remain on "pay status."

A: You should inform them that you have a First Amendment Right to do so. Then you should call the CUE office and let us know your department and the supervisor's name if you fear retaliation for honoring the picket line.