A group of nearly 50 UCLA students and supporters marched to
Chancellor Albert Carnesale’s office Tuesday to protest
service workers’ wages less than a week after the American
Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees went on strike
at University of California campuses.
“The workers’ strike was to empower themselves to
ask for decent wages. Today is students taking action,” said
Darryl Molina, a fourth-year Asian American studies student and a
coordinator for the Student Worker Front.
Students and supporters marched from Bruin Plaza to Murphy Hall,
where students were sent in to ask the chancellor to meet with
them.
Carnesale is not currently in Los Angeles.
The UC and AFSCME have been involved in contract negotiations
since July 2004, though union members have recently expressed
frustration with the ongoing process.
Students and supporters took their protest into Murphy Hall and
sat outside of the chancellor’s office, chanting and asking
for justice.
Some students were able to talk to representatives for the
chancellor, and it was arranged for student delegations to meet
with him Thursday, said Janina Montero, the vice chancellor of
student affairs.
“He will be happy to talk and hear what students have to
say,” Montero said.
The chancellor is not present at negotiations between unions and
the UC, but will meet with the students to discuss their
concerns.
“It’s important to remember that negotiations are
ongoing and that UCLA is hopeful of a resolution soon,” said
Phil Hampton, a spokesman for UCLA.
“The students, as well as everybody else on campus, have a
right to express their opinions about contract negotiations as well
as all other issues. That’s what a university is about
““ free exchange of ideas,” Hampton said.
Members of the university police were present, but there was no
additional staffing for the protest, said Nancy Greenstein,
director of university police community services.
“No serious action had to be taken,” Greenstein
said.
Seth Cohen, an organizer for AFSCME who attended the protest,
said there was “some movement” in the negotiations with
the UC after last week’s strike. Members of the Coalition of
University Employees also attended.
Representatives from AFSCME and the UC met Monday and Tuesday,
but no information has been released from the meetings yet, said
Noel Van Nyhuis, a spokesman for the UC Office of the
President.
Tommy Tseng, a general representative for the Undergraduate
Students Association Council who participated in the march, voiced
his support for workers on behalf of USAC.
“We passed a resolution in September unanimously
supporting the strike. We are devoting resources to educating
students,” Tseng said.
Many student bystanders witnessed parts of the protest, although
not all chose to participate.
“I’m paying attention somewhat. It brings more light
to the issue,” said Ruben Dominguez, a third-year history
student who was watching the protest.
“There are always two sides to every story, but (the
students) make a convincing argument. It’s important to hear
the UC side,” Dominguez said.
Students and supporters who attended the protest plan to further
their actions by talking to the chancellor Thursday, though they
are prepared to take the issue to other officials.
“He’s not going to say, “˜No, leave it at
that,'” said Victoria Preciado, a fifth-year English
and Spanish literature student and a member of SWF.