The University of California and the American Federation of
State, County and Municipal Employees entered into contract
negotiations nearly five months ago and are still at the bargaining
table.
Recently, progress has been made as the UC has agreed to keep
the cost of health care the same in 2005 for its workers.
“It was a positive development that didn’t take
place directly at the bargaining table. It’s a testimony to
workers and students to raise concerns about the plight of the
workers at the UC. That’s a remarkable accomplishment the
workers have won,” said Craig Merrilees, director of AFSCME
Local-3299.
AFSCME represents 17,000 workers, including workers at each of
the UC campuses and medical centers.
Union representatives’ main concerns for a new contract
are achieving a chance to advance, opportunities for promotion and
the elimination of dead-end jobs, Merrilees said.
To achieve the rest of their demands, AFSCME workers have
continued to hold rallies. The latest at UCLA took place in
October, drawing over 200 workers and students.
“The real news is that the number of people who are
getting angry and active on each campus is growing. … The
involvement by workers and students and faculty and local political
leaders is heartening and a very positive sign,” Merrilees
said.
Both sides hope for an agreement soon, but Ricardo Cisneros, an
AFSCME worker at UC Riverside, said more action may be
necessary.
“We hope it will be (solved) before the spring. … Right
now there is more being planned out,” Cisneros said.
“More rallies could occur.”
The UC has cited budget cuts as the reason why it cannot give
AFSCME each of the things it is looking to put in the contract.
“I know the biggest issue that AFSCME has had is wanting
pay increases for our service workers, and with the budget cuts,
the state has prevented the UC from giving system-wide
raises,” said Noel Van Nyhuis, a UC spokesman.
“A new budget compact with the governor is funding for
increases and will allow regular pay raises, assuming (the compact)
will be passed by the legislature. It will allow us to resume
raises beginning next year,” he added.
Despite the outside factors affecting the negotiation process,
Cisneros still feels unsatisfied with the progress being made.
“The UC in general, I feel that they are stonewalled. They
aren’t taking care of the people that are helping them run
their university, making sure the university is run correctly and
all the necessities are provided for students and patients in
medical centers,” Cisneros said.
Negotiations between the UC and AFSCME will continue until both
sides have reached an agreement. One item they both agree on: the
sooner, the better.