| Coalition of University Employees (CUE) | 2855 Telegraph Ave., Suite #302, Berkeley, CA 94705 Contact CUE (510) 845-2221 (phone), (510) 845-7444 (FAX) |
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August 2001
Dear President Atkinson, Chancellors Berdahl, Vanderhoef, Cicerone, Carnesale, Orbach, Dynes, Bishop, Yang, and Greenwood:
Happy Labor Day to you all. In the novel Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand there is a scene in which a great industrialist gives a holiday toast to productive people celebrating the success of their work.
As I get ready to celebrate the success of my work this Labor Day weekend, I contemplate the offer to CUE by the University's Chief Negotiator of 0.9% effective 11/1/01 and no merits for 2001-2002. This insulting offer puts a damper on my celebration. I had hoped my employer had more respect for me and my coworkers than that.
As you are aware, the UC Clericals are working well below market rates. The contract negotiated last year to carry us to 11/1/01 was a good first step. We wore T-shirts during the negotiations which said, "I work Fridays for Free. Why?" I figure we now work Fridays from about 11:00AM to 5:00PM for free. Now I'd like to get paid for all of Friday. 0.9% won't get me up to lunch.
All of you know that the funds are available. I respectfully request that you direct your Chief Negotiator to make CUE a fair and reasonable offer to bring our wages up to market rates.
Sincerely,
Jay Clifton, UC Berkeley