Food service workers celebrated in Woodland yesterday their victory from last month when the university announced they will become fully employed UC workers. This marked the culmination of over a year long battle by the food service workers that captured much of the imagination of the Davis community.
Meanwhile on a statewide front, the combination of budget cuts but also cost-cutting activites by the UCs statewide has led medical and service workers to take a strike vote in an attempt to resolve differences in their contract battle.
Last week the UC workers declared that they had reached impasse in their ten month old salary talks. According to a press release they will take a strike vote in a vote that runs from May 17, 2008 until May 22, 2008.
These workers are primarily medical and service workers that have been trying to protect quality patient care. They report that the lack of competitive wages are impacting the University’s ability to retain its best staff. The 20,000 patient care and service workers do everything from assisting in surgery to cleaning campus dorms.
According to their release:
“UC medical centers are bleeding experienced patient care staff to other hospitals where pay is dramatically higher, and campus service workers live in poverty with wages as low as $10 per hour. Other hospitals and California’s community colleges pay an average of 25% higher for the same work.”
Furthermore:
“At UC hospitals, healthcare workers report that lack of competitive pay is contributing to high-turnover, staffing shortages, and over-reliance on temps. They are concerned this is compromising patient care and increasing the risk of complications. For service staff at the campuses and hospitals, wages are low enough for workers to qualify for public assistance. Many live in poverty and are forced to work two jobs, taking time away from their families and communities.”
Workers have been negotiating for equal pay for equal work since August, 2007. However, according to the workers, UC Executives fell far short of that, forcing the 20,000 to take a strike vote.
Lakesha Harrison, Licensed Vocational Nurse & President of AFSCME Local 3299:
“This is a matter of priorities. UC Executives need to ensure UC keeps its best staff by paying equal pay for equal work. UC is losing good people to other hospitals where pay is about 25% higher, we are concerned this is causing staffing shortages and over-reliance on temps. That’s not the kind of patient care people expect from UC.”
Per the press the release, the CA State-appointed neutral Factfinder Carol Vendrillo, who independently evaluated the viability of a service workers’ labor agreement, this is a matter of priorities, rather than resources.
“U.C. has demonstrated the ability to increase compensation when it fits with certain priorities without any demonstrable link to a state funding source…It is time for UC to take a broader view of its priorities by honoring the important contribution that service workers make to the U.C. community and compensating them with wages that are in line with the competitive market rate.”
—Doug Paul Davis reporting
“For service staff at the campuses and hospitals, wages are low enough for workers to qualify for public assistance. Many live in poverty and are forced to work two jobs, taking time away from their families and communities.”
The same can be said of military personnel. Society does not seem to value the ordinary everyday worker, who provides the most basic of services to America – medical services, cleaning services, protecting the country…
Instead we see certain Hollywood luminaries, singers in the music industry, CEOs of businesses and heads of Universities making obscene amounts of money. A very recent article in the Davis Enterprise talked about the new head of the UC system and his wife being housed in a new home that will cost the university more than $11,000 a month. (The new head of the UC system does not want to live in the housing normally provided!) $11,000 a month is what some workers make in an entire year.
In Davis, a teacher’s starting salary is about $38,000, yet the new Supt. is making $190,000. The outgoing disgraced Supt. was making $240,000. Obviously that disproves the mantra we always hear that it is “necessary to give extremely generous compensation packages to the upper echelon employee to make sure the best qualified candidates apply”. What really happens is the best qualified scam artists apply – they know a good thing when they see it, and are perfectly willing to take advantage of it!
I wish I had the answers, other than John Q. Public has to demand better – loudly and continuously, without turning into a broken record. Boycott actors and artists who seem to typify wasteful spending. Become part of a School Board, to make sure compensation packages are not so unreasonable for upper management. Point out the inequities when you can, and enveigle your way onto boards that decide salaries.
“For service staff at the campuses and hospitals, wages are low enough for workers to qualify for public assistance. Many live in poverty and are forced to work two jobs, taking time away from their families and communities.”
The same can be said of military personnel. Society does not seem to value the ordinary everyday worker, who provides the most basic of services to America – medical services, cleaning services, protecting the country…
Instead we see certain Hollywood luminaries, singers in the music industry, CEOs of businesses and heads of Universities making obscene amounts of money. A very recent article in the Davis Enterprise talked about the new head of the UC system and his wife being housed in a new home that will cost the university more than $11,000 a month. (The new head of the UC system does not want to live in the housing normally provided!) $11,000 a month is what some workers make in an entire year.
In Davis, a teacher’s starting salary is about $38,000, yet the new Supt. is making $190,000. The outgoing disgraced Supt. was making $240,000. Obviously that disproves the mantra we always hear that it is “necessary to give extremely generous compensation packages to the upper echelon employee to make sure the best qualified candidates apply”. What really happens is the best qualified scam artists apply – they know a good thing when they see it, and are perfectly willing to take advantage of it!
I wish I had the answers, other than John Q. Public has to demand better – loudly and continuously, without turning into a broken record. Boycott actors and artists who seem to typify wasteful spending. Become part of a School Board, to make sure compensation packages are not so unreasonable for upper management. Point out the inequities when you can, and enveigle your way onto boards that decide salaries.
“For service staff at the campuses and hospitals, wages are low enough for workers to qualify for public assistance. Many live in poverty and are forced to work two jobs, taking time away from their families and communities.”
The same can be said of military personnel. Society does not seem to value the ordinary everyday worker, who provides the most basic of services to America – medical services, cleaning services, protecting the country…
Instead we see certain Hollywood luminaries, singers in the music industry, CEOs of businesses and heads of Universities making obscene amounts of money. A very recent article in the Davis Enterprise talked about the new head of the UC system and his wife being housed in a new home that will cost the university more than $11,000 a month. (The new head of the UC system does not want to live in the housing normally provided!) $11,000 a month is what some workers make in an entire year.
In Davis, a teacher’s starting salary is about $38,000, yet the new Supt. is making $190,000. The outgoing disgraced Supt. was making $240,000. Obviously that disproves the mantra we always hear that it is “necessary to give extremely generous compensation packages to the upper echelon employee to make sure the best qualified candidates apply”. What really happens is the best qualified scam artists apply – they know a good thing when they see it, and are perfectly willing to take advantage of it!
I wish I had the answers, other than John Q. Public has to demand better – loudly and continuously, without turning into a broken record. Boycott actors and artists who seem to typify wasteful spending. Become part of a School Board, to make sure compensation packages are not so unreasonable for upper management. Point out the inequities when you can, and enveigle your way onto boards that decide salaries.
“For service staff at the campuses and hospitals, wages are low enough for workers to qualify for public assistance. Many live in poverty and are forced to work two jobs, taking time away from their families and communities.”
The same can be said of military personnel. Society does not seem to value the ordinary everyday worker, who provides the most basic of services to America – medical services, cleaning services, protecting the country…
Instead we see certain Hollywood luminaries, singers in the music industry, CEOs of businesses and heads of Universities making obscene amounts of money. A very recent article in the Davis Enterprise talked about the new head of the UC system and his wife being housed in a new home that will cost the university more than $11,000 a month. (The new head of the UC system does not want to live in the housing normally provided!) $11,000 a month is what some workers make in an entire year.
In Davis, a teacher’s starting salary is about $38,000, yet the new Supt. is making $190,000. The outgoing disgraced Supt. was making $240,000. Obviously that disproves the mantra we always hear that it is “necessary to give extremely generous compensation packages to the upper echelon employee to make sure the best qualified candidates apply”. What really happens is the best qualified scam artists apply – they know a good thing when they see it, and are perfectly willing to take advantage of it!
I wish I had the answers, other than John Q. Public has to demand better – loudly and continuously, without turning into a broken record. Boycott actors and artists who seem to typify wasteful spending. Become part of a School Board, to make sure compensation packages are not so unreasonable for upper management. Point out the inequities when you can, and enveigle your way onto boards that decide salaries.
Want Answers,
You make some interesting comparisons. Could you provide some numbers and pay sacles associated with these statements? Also explain how and why, in a system that rewards education and hard work, that a person must work two jobs to survive.
I hope the UC workers involved go on strike and do without until they appreciate what they have. And yes, I have been on both ends of your statements to an extent you cannot fathom.
Want Answers,
You make some interesting comparisons. Could you provide some numbers and pay sacles associated with these statements? Also explain how and why, in a system that rewards education and hard work, that a person must work two jobs to survive.
I hope the UC workers involved go on strike and do without until they appreciate what they have. And yes, I have been on both ends of your statements to an extent you cannot fathom.
Want Answers,
You make some interesting comparisons. Could you provide some numbers and pay sacles associated with these statements? Also explain how and why, in a system that rewards education and hard work, that a person must work two jobs to survive.
I hope the UC workers involved go on strike and do without until they appreciate what they have. And yes, I have been on both ends of your statements to an extent you cannot fathom.
Want Answers,
You make some interesting comparisons. Could you provide some numbers and pay sacles associated with these statements? Also explain how and why, in a system that rewards education and hard work, that a person must work two jobs to survive.
I hope the UC workers involved go on strike and do without until they appreciate what they have. And yes, I have been on both ends of your statements to an extent you cannot fathom.
that should read Scales.
that should read Scales.
that should read Scales.
that should read Scales.
The UCD salary scales are always available.
http://www.hr.ucdavis.edu/Salary
It helps to know the bargaining unit when searching. For instance, CUE is the clerical workers union.
I’m not sure about other units but CUE hasn’t had a merit raise in 5 or 7 yrs? Something like that. I know a lot of them are stuck at step 1.
The UCD salary scales are always available.
http://www.hr.ucdavis.edu/Salary
It helps to know the bargaining unit when searching. For instance, CUE is the clerical workers union.
I’m not sure about other units but CUE hasn’t had a merit raise in 5 or 7 yrs? Something like that. I know a lot of them are stuck at step 1.
The UCD salary scales are always available.
http://www.hr.ucdavis.edu/Salary
It helps to know the bargaining unit when searching. For instance, CUE is the clerical workers union.
I’m not sure about other units but CUE hasn’t had a merit raise in 5 or 7 yrs? Something like that. I know a lot of them are stuck at step 1.
The UCD salary scales are always available.
http://www.hr.ucdavis.edu/Salary
It helps to know the bargaining unit when searching. For instance, CUE is the clerical workers union.
I’m not sure about other units but CUE hasn’t had a merit raise in 5 or 7 yrs? Something like that. I know a lot of them are stuck at step 1.
It is hard to figure out the pay scale. Are these folks making $12 – 17 per hour, as it seems from the web site? Plus benefits?
It is hard to figure out the pay scale. Are these folks making $12 – 17 per hour, as it seems from the web site? Plus benefits?
It is hard to figure out the pay scale. Are these folks making $12 – 17 per hour, as it seems from the web site? Plus benefits?
It is hard to figure out the pay scale. Are these folks making $12 – 17 per hour, as it seems from the web site? Plus benefits?
Some UCD employees are already receiving their layoff notices due to budget cuts…and these folks are asserting their need for raises? Join the club but you might want to reflect for a moment on the fact that some of your colleagues will no longer even have jobs.
Some UCD employees are already receiving their layoff notices due to budget cuts…and these folks are asserting their need for raises? Join the club but you might want to reflect for a moment on the fact that some of your colleagues will no longer even have jobs.
Some UCD employees are already receiving their layoff notices due to budget cuts…and these folks are asserting their need for raises? Join the club but you might want to reflect for a moment on the fact that some of your colleagues will no longer even have jobs.
Some UCD employees are already receiving their layoff notices due to budget cuts…and these folks are asserting their need for raises? Join the club but you might want to reflect for a moment on the fact that some of your colleagues will no longer even have jobs.
“Want Answers,
You make some interesting comparisons. Could you provide some numbers and pay sacles associated with these statements? Also explain how and why, in a system that rewards education and hard work, that a person must work two jobs to survive.
I hope the UC workers involved go on strike and do without until they appreciate what they have. And yes, I have been on both ends of your statements to an extent you cannot fathom.”
It has been in the papers often enough, that in many states military pay for the lower echelon is so poor, many have to go on food stamps. I heard recently that for the number of hours they put in on a Navy ship, the lower paid seamen make less than minimum wage. My brother works in the daycare industry, and is paid about $12 an hour, with minimal if any health and pension benefits. He is constantly laid off. Full time UPS workers were laid off, some time ago, so that UPS could hire them back as part-time help w no benefits. Many of us have been on both sides of the fence (including me), to an extent many cannot fathom. The relative inequities in the system are nothing short of tragic.
We, as a society, have to demand better. When the CEO of the New York Stock Exchange walks off with an $800,000,000 retirement package, you know something is terribly wrong – in fact the matter was investigated, but I have no idea what happened. Is anyone decrying the $11,000 per month extra housing allowance the UC President will be getting, while the UC system is at the Capitol in Sacramento, telling the Governator how severe and draconian the budget cuts are to higher education??? Do you think the Governor is going to listen to what the UC system has to say, when he knows $11,000 a month is going to a prima donna who is unwilling to live in the assigned quarters??? There is something way out of whack, when these sorts of inequities occur, and go almost unnoticed…
“Want Answers,
You make some interesting comparisons. Could you provide some numbers and pay sacles associated with these statements? Also explain how and why, in a system that rewards education and hard work, that a person must work two jobs to survive.
I hope the UC workers involved go on strike and do without until they appreciate what they have. And yes, I have been on both ends of your statements to an extent you cannot fathom.”
It has been in the papers often enough, that in many states military pay for the lower echelon is so poor, many have to go on food stamps. I heard recently that for the number of hours they put in on a Navy ship, the lower paid seamen make less than minimum wage. My brother works in the daycare industry, and is paid about $12 an hour, with minimal if any health and pension benefits. He is constantly laid off. Full time UPS workers were laid off, some time ago, so that UPS could hire them back as part-time help w no benefits. Many of us have been on both sides of the fence (including me), to an extent many cannot fathom. The relative inequities in the system are nothing short of tragic.
We, as a society, have to demand better. When the CEO of the New York Stock Exchange walks off with an $800,000,000 retirement package, you know something is terribly wrong – in fact the matter was investigated, but I have no idea what happened. Is anyone decrying the $11,000 per month extra housing allowance the UC President will be getting, while the UC system is at the Capitol in Sacramento, telling the Governator how severe and draconian the budget cuts are to higher education??? Do you think the Governor is going to listen to what the UC system has to say, when he knows $11,000 a month is going to a prima donna who is unwilling to live in the assigned quarters??? There is something way out of whack, when these sorts of inequities occur, and go almost unnoticed…
“Want Answers,
You make some interesting comparisons. Could you provide some numbers and pay sacles associated with these statements? Also explain how and why, in a system that rewards education and hard work, that a person must work two jobs to survive.
I hope the UC workers involved go on strike and do without until they appreciate what they have. And yes, I have been on both ends of your statements to an extent you cannot fathom.”
It has been in the papers often enough, that in many states military pay for the lower echelon is so poor, many have to go on food stamps. I heard recently that for the number of hours they put in on a Navy ship, the lower paid seamen make less than minimum wage. My brother works in the daycare industry, and is paid about $12 an hour, with minimal if any health and pension benefits. He is constantly laid off. Full time UPS workers were laid off, some time ago, so that UPS could hire them back as part-time help w no benefits. Many of us have been on both sides of the fence (including me), to an extent many cannot fathom. The relative inequities in the system are nothing short of tragic.
We, as a society, have to demand better. When the CEO of the New York Stock Exchange walks off with an $800,000,000 retirement package, you know something is terribly wrong – in fact the matter was investigated, but I have no idea what happened. Is anyone decrying the $11,000 per month extra housing allowance the UC President will be getting, while the UC system is at the Capitol in Sacramento, telling the Governator how severe and draconian the budget cuts are to higher education??? Do you think the Governor is going to listen to what the UC system has to say, when he knows $11,000 a month is going to a prima donna who is unwilling to live in the assigned quarters??? There is something way out of whack, when these sorts of inequities occur, and go almost unnoticed…
“Want Answers,
You make some interesting comparisons. Could you provide some numbers and pay sacles associated with these statements? Also explain how and why, in a system that rewards education and hard work, that a person must work two jobs to survive.
I hope the UC workers involved go on strike and do without until they appreciate what they have. And yes, I have been on both ends of your statements to an extent you cannot fathom.”
It has been in the papers often enough, that in many states military pay for the lower echelon is so poor, many have to go on food stamps. I heard recently that for the number of hours they put in on a Navy ship, the lower paid seamen make less than minimum wage. My brother works in the daycare industry, and is paid about $12 an hour, with minimal if any health and pension benefits. He is constantly laid off. Full time UPS workers were laid off, some time ago, so that UPS could hire them back as part-time help w no benefits. Many of us have been on both sides of the fence (including me), to an extent many cannot fathom. The relative inequities in the system are nothing short of tragic.
We, as a society, have to demand better. When the CEO of the New York Stock Exchange walks off with an $800,000,000 retirement package, you know something is terribly wrong – in fact the matter was investigated, but I have no idea what happened. Is anyone decrying the $11,000 per month extra housing allowance the UC President will be getting, while the UC system is at the Capitol in Sacramento, telling the Governator how severe and draconian the budget cuts are to higher education??? Do you think the Governor is going to listen to what the UC system has to say, when he knows $11,000 a month is going to a prima donna who is unwilling to live in the assigned quarters??? There is something way out of whack, when these sorts of inequities occur, and go almost unnoticed…
Since some of the contributors here have referred to salaries outside the UC system how about the following: There are approximately 370,000 children of illegal immigrants attending school in California. At approx $8000 + on the average per student, how much is that?
I agree, not the childrens fault. We have bad laws and a government to match. I hope the UC employee’s vote to strike, it would be good for them.
Since some of the contributors here have referred to salaries outside the UC system how about the following: There are approximately 370,000 children of illegal immigrants attending school in California. At approx $8000 + on the average per student, how much is that?
I agree, not the childrens fault. We have bad laws and a government to match. I hope the UC employee’s vote to strike, it would be good for them.
Since some of the contributors here have referred to salaries outside the UC system how about the following: There are approximately 370,000 children of illegal immigrants attending school in California. At approx $8000 + on the average per student, how much is that?
I agree, not the childrens fault. We have bad laws and a government to match. I hope the UC employee’s vote to strike, it would be good for them.
Since some of the contributors here have referred to salaries outside the UC system how about the following: There are approximately 370,000 children of illegal immigrants attending school in California. At approx $8000 + on the average per student, how much is that?
I agree, not the childrens fault. We have bad laws and a government to match. I hope the UC employee’s vote to strike, it would be good for them.
To Anon regarding the Clerical CUE union.
Did the clerical employee’s get a CAP? This is where the University puts a certain percentage of their YEARLY pay,(usually 5%), in an interest bearing account that is avalable upon retirement. This is done when employee’s don’t get a merit raise when times are tight.
A few years ago there were approx. 1600 + members in the CUE union. Then that idiot Grey Davis signed in a Fair Share agency allowing unions, including CUE, to steal a percentage of the employee’s monthly wage.
When that happened it FORCED another 17,000 clerical units to pay dues whether they wanted to belong to a union or not. However they still could’nt vote on CUE decisions unless they voluntarily paid a little bit more to CUE,(somewhere around $14.00 on top of the $23.00 to $30.00 they were FORCED to pay to the CUE). You may not think that’s a lot of money unless you’re a single parent,(like a lot of clerical people are). And in too many intances CUE was nowhere to be found,(except at the taxpayer trough), when a CUE member needed help. A lot of UC clerical employee’s can tell you that there is little or no reponse from CUE when asked to represent them. What’s wrong with this picture? GREED.
To Anon regarding the Clerical CUE union.
Did the clerical employee’s get a CAP? This is where the University puts a certain percentage of their YEARLY pay,(usually 5%), in an interest bearing account that is avalable upon retirement. This is done when employee’s don’t get a merit raise when times are tight.
A few years ago there were approx. 1600 + members in the CUE union. Then that idiot Grey Davis signed in a Fair Share agency allowing unions, including CUE, to steal a percentage of the employee’s monthly wage.
When that happened it FORCED another 17,000 clerical units to pay dues whether they wanted to belong to a union or not. However they still could’nt vote on CUE decisions unless they voluntarily paid a little bit more to CUE,(somewhere around $14.00 on top of the $23.00 to $30.00 they were FORCED to pay to the CUE). You may not think that’s a lot of money unless you’re a single parent,(like a lot of clerical people are). And in too many intances CUE was nowhere to be found,(except at the taxpayer trough), when a CUE member needed help. A lot of UC clerical employee’s can tell you that there is little or no reponse from CUE when asked to represent them. What’s wrong with this picture? GREED.
To Anon regarding the Clerical CUE union.
Did the clerical employee’s get a CAP? This is where the University puts a certain percentage of their YEARLY pay,(usually 5%), in an interest bearing account that is avalable upon retirement. This is done when employee’s don’t get a merit raise when times are tight.
A few years ago there were approx. 1600 + members in the CUE union. Then that idiot Grey Davis signed in a Fair Share agency allowing unions, including CUE, to steal a percentage of the employee’s monthly wage.
When that happened it FORCED another 17,000 clerical units to pay dues whether they wanted to belong to a union or not. However they still could’nt vote on CUE decisions unless they voluntarily paid a little bit more to CUE,(somewhere around $14.00 on top of the $23.00 to $30.00 they were FORCED to pay to the CUE). You may not think that’s a lot of money unless you’re a single parent,(like a lot of clerical people are). And in too many intances CUE was nowhere to be found,(except at the taxpayer trough), when a CUE member needed help. A lot of UC clerical employee’s can tell you that there is little or no reponse from CUE when asked to represent them. What’s wrong with this picture? GREED.
To Anon regarding the Clerical CUE union.
Did the clerical employee’s get a CAP? This is where the University puts a certain percentage of their YEARLY pay,(usually 5%), in an interest bearing account that is avalable upon retirement. This is done when employee’s don’t get a merit raise when times are tight.
A few years ago there were approx. 1600 + members in the CUE union. Then that idiot Grey Davis signed in a Fair Share agency allowing unions, including CUE, to steal a percentage of the employee’s monthly wage.
When that happened it FORCED another 17,000 clerical units to pay dues whether they wanted to belong to a union or not. However they still could’nt vote on CUE decisions unless they voluntarily paid a little bit more to CUE,(somewhere around $14.00 on top of the $23.00 to $30.00 they were FORCED to pay to the CUE). You may not think that’s a lot of money unless you’re a single parent,(like a lot of clerical people are). And in too many intances CUE was nowhere to be found,(except at the taxpayer trough), when a CUE member needed help. A lot of UC clerical employee’s can tell you that there is little or no reponse from CUE when asked to represent them. What’s wrong with this picture? GREED.
Currently a CUE non-member, paying my “fair share” fee. I’m looking into exemption options, but the current laws all point to “bona fide religious organizations”. I’m an atheist, so how do I go about diverting my fair share fee towards a charity or organization I’d rather support?
To challenge the fair share fee, we need 30% of the clerical employees to sign a petition requesting a challenge vote. These signatures must be gathered within one academic year. If 50%+ vote to rescind the fee, CUE will have to let it go.
Currently a CUE non-member, paying my “fair share” fee. I’m looking into exemption options, but the current laws all point to “bona fide religious organizations”. I’m an atheist, so how do I go about diverting my fair share fee towards a charity or organization I’d rather support?
To challenge the fair share fee, we need 30% of the clerical employees to sign a petition requesting a challenge vote. These signatures must be gathered within one academic year. If 50%+ vote to rescind the fee, CUE will have to let it go.
Currently a CUE non-member, paying my “fair share” fee. I’m looking into exemption options, but the current laws all point to “bona fide religious organizations”. I’m an atheist, so how do I go about diverting my fair share fee towards a charity or organization I’d rather support?
To challenge the fair share fee, we need 30% of the clerical employees to sign a petition requesting a challenge vote. These signatures must be gathered within one academic year. If 50%+ vote to rescind the fee, CUE will have to let it go.
Currently a CUE non-member, paying my “fair share” fee. I’m looking into exemption options, but the current laws all point to “bona fide religious organizations”. I’m an atheist, so how do I go about diverting my fair share fee towards a charity or organization I’d rather support?
To challenge the fair share fee, we need 30% of the clerical employees to sign a petition requesting a challenge vote. These signatures must be gathered within one academic year. If 50%+ vote to rescind the fee, CUE will have to let it go.