The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
is looking to take the next step in ensuring its demands are met
regarding higher pay and respect from administrative officials,
after what it believes was the success of a systemwide rally held
last Thursday.
Contract negotiations between AFSCME, which represents 17,000
University of California workers, and the UC have been in
confidential mediations for the past three months.
Officials from AFSCME and the UC met Tuesday. Though the outcome
of the meeting has not yet been revealed by either side, union
officials say the outlook looks good.
“I think the rally is going to have a really good impact
on negotiations. The university knows that the workers are informed
and willing to fight for what we need to survive,” said
Lakesha Harrison, union president of the local chapter representing
UC workers. “I am optimistic about the outcome.”
Other AFSCME members are equally optimistic about the effects of
the rally.
“Our negotiating committee has great arguments, solid
facts and justice on our side, but what really moves management is
pressure on the outside from angry and organized workers,”
said bargaining committee member Margaret Konjevod, who works at
the UCLA Medical Center.
The UC said it is looking to maintain its quality and preserve
both its academic research and patient care standards as best as it
can given the current budget situation. University officials said
they will make no further comment regarding contract negotiations
at this time.
One of the supporters of AFSCME is State Sen. Richard
Alacrón, D-San Fernando Valley, who attended Thursday’s
rally and may help the union obtain its desired results
Renée Williams, who works at the UCLA hospital, invited
Alacrón to tour the hospital’s facilities, which he
promised to do, she said.
“He will see that the patients are sicker, and the ratio
of workers to patients is not balanced,” said Williams,
adding that she hopes the senator will keep the pressure on the
situation so changes will be made.
Dozens of state legislators are supporting AFSCME by signing
pledge cards calling on UC officials to address top concerns, said
Craig Merrilees, director of AFSCME Local-3299, in a press
release.
AFSCME is also currently working with legislators to repair some
of the damage done by budget cuts, focusing on helping low-wage
workers on campus, Merrilees said.
Recent budget cuts have taken a toll on UC workers by decreasing
salaries.
“It’s unfortunate that the budget mess means we may
not be able to get the raises we deserve, but realistically, we
need to prevent layoffs for our fellow workers. We can only do this
if we stay strong and united,” said Jeff Myers, a surgical
technician at UC San Francisco and vice-president of patient care
for AFSCME’s executive board.
AFSCME members have also protested executive wage increases in
the face of their wage decreases.
According to the UC press release from last week, salaries for
UC chancellors have been increasing during this time, because the
UC feels it is the only way to “attract the caliber of person
needed to maintain UC quality and competitiveness.”
AFSCME is hopeful it will reach a compromise agreement with UC
officials to control executive pay raises, stated the AFSCME Web
site after last Thursday’s rally.
According to the Web site, thousands of UC workers have signed
the AFSCME “10-Point Plan to Prevent Layoffs,” which
has led UC officials to say they may agree to freeze executive pay
unless workers also get raises.
Though no decisions regarding the contracts between AFSCME and
the UC have been officially made, AFSCME remains firm in its
demands.
“AFSCME workers will continue to kick butt at the UC until
they get the respect that they deserve,” said Faith Raider,
AFSCME spokesperson.