Workers and students protest for fair labor practices

Written by Amy Zahn

About 25 students and UCR workers gathered to march across campus this Tuesday to protest alleged unfair UC labor practices, including laying off employees and outsourcing jobs.

Organized by AFSCME 3299, part of one of the largest public service employee unions in the country, the demonstration began near the Bell Tower at around 12 p.m., marched to Hinderaker Hall and wrapped up near the HUB amid chants of “UC, UC, you’re no good, treat your workers like you should!” and “They say cut back, we say fight back!”

Christine Stuckey, a UCR custodian of 13 years, expressed her feelings about longtime UC workers being passed over for promotions in favor of outside hires. “We got a stranger who don’t know nothing about us, and he’s going to be our boss?” Stuckey said.

“They’re cutting back where they say they’re not cutting back. They promised the workers that their job is secure, that they don’t have anything to worry about,” said Leo Tolliver, AFSCME representative and organizer of the event. “That’s not fair.”

Tolliver said that if their demands for fairer practices are not met, the movement will continue. “(Next) time, we intend to be bigger, more vigilant, more seen,” he said.

[Source]: Highlander News