| Coalition of University Employees (CUE) | 2855 Telegraph Ave., Suite #302, Berkeley, CA 94705 Contact CUE (510) 845-2221 (phone), (510) 845-7444 (FAX) |
UCSB employees turn out to support UC Berkeley strike.
By LEAH ETLING-STENTZEL
NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
August 27, 2002
A handful of UCSB clerical employees gathered outside the school's east gate early Monday to show their solidarity with the approximately 2,300 striking workers at UC Berkeley.
Carrying signs that said "UC unions need fair bargaining" and "Honk to support Berkeley strikers," the workers were met by waves, honks and smiles from other employees arriving on campus to start their work week, before they dispersed to start work themselves.
The demonstration was the first of three days of events organized by UCSB's branch of the Coalition of University Employees, a statewide union whose members are dismayed over the employment contract being offered by UC bargainers. Should the impasse continue into late September, there's a chance a strike could occur during UCSB's fall term.
"A lot of people at this campus are up in arms, and that's what's spurring this demonstration," said Debbie Ceder, president of UCSB's CUE chapter.
Though there were just about a dozen employees at the morning rally, organizers had more than 50 supporters out for a silent lunchtime vigil at the university's arbor.
Pay increases, parking fees, benefits and workplace safety are among the issues employees said have not been addressed to their satisfaction in the contract. UC negotiators are offering the workers a 1.5 percent raise for the upcoming year, while the union is asking for 15 percent over two years.
Those at the rally said that in Santa Barbara, a 1.5 percent jump is not enough to meet cost of living increases.
"It doesn't even cover inflation," Ms. Ceder said. "For someone who takes home $1,200 to $1,500 a month and their rent is $900, that's not much left over."
Most of the clerical employees make between $15 and $17 an hour, she said. Many commute from Oxnard, Santa Maria or Lompoc, where rents are cheaper.
The union has about 800 members at UCSB, and 18,000 statewide.
Carolyn Johnson, who has worked at UCSB for 35 years, said she is concerned about the lack of merit pay increases in the proposed employment contract.
"What I see happening is people starting out at entry level are going to be at entry level for all their lives," said Ms. Johnson, who works in the math department. "I think it's very shortsighted of the UC to deal with its staff in this manner."
In the past, merit-based raises have been offered based on performance evaluations, but those aren't included in the university's latest offer, which employees rejected Aug. 7. The two sides have been negotiating for 15 months.
"There's no reward for staying around longer or doing a good job," said Gabe Cohn, the local Coalition of University Employees field representative.
UC President Richard Atkinson said the proposals were influenced by limited state funding due to the current budget deficit.
"We regret the unions' decision to ask our employees to engage in this type of action," Mr. Atkinson said. "We have made significant compromises throughout negotiations with both unions, but of course contract settlement requires compromises from both parties, not just the university."
Both sides could return to the bargaining table in Oakland on Sept. 9.
If an agreement is not reached there, most of the Santa Barbara union members said they would support a strike should the union decide to vote on the question at a Sept. 12 meeting.
"If we decide to strike, I don't think this campus can run," said Silvia Marquez, a support staff worker for the campus' summer sessions office.