Statement on the Appointment of Newest UC Regents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 7, 2018
CONTACT: JOHN DE LOS ANGELES | [email protected] | 650-438-1961

(OAKLAND, CA) – Yesterday, California Governor Jerry Brown appointed 4 new members to the University of California’s (UC) Board of Regents. Among Brown’s new appointments is Laphonza Butler, the President of the Service Employees’ International Union (SEIU) Local 2015, which represents 378,000 caregivers and nursing home workers. The following is a statement on the appointment of Butler from Kathryn Lybarger, President of AFSCME Local 3299, UC’s largest employee union.

“At a time when the University of California is struggling with the issue of growing income, racial, and gender inequality amongst its lowest paid workforce, we’re pleased to see Governor Brown appoint someone who will be accountable to the working people that make this University system great.

“Laphonza Butler has seen the struggle of working people like those that AFSCME Local 3299 represents. For years, she’s fought for justice on the side of labor and her long-standing history of sticking up for low-income women of color tells us that she understands what must be done to restore UC’s reputation for equality and justice. We know that Laphonza will be the champion of labor that UC workers sorely needed.

“We want to congratulate Laphonza, and all of UC’s newest Regents, on their appointments and we look forward to working with them all to bring equality and fairness to UC’s diverse workforce.”

AFSCME Local 3299 is the University of California’s largest employee union, representing more than 25,000 Service and Patient Care Technical workers at UC’s 10 campuses, 5 medical centers, numerous clinics, research laboratories, and UC Hastings College of Law. Service worker titles include Security Guards, Groundskeeper, Cook, Custodian, Truck Driver, and more. Patient Care Technical worker titles include Nurse Aids, Respiratory Therapists, Radiology Technologists, Patient Transporters, and more.

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