UC Faculty, Workers, Students and Electeds Unite Behind AFSCME 3299
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 11, 2014
CONTACT: Todd Stenhouse, (916) 397-1131, [email protected]
AS STRIKE VOTE BEGINS, UC FACULTY, LABOR, STUDENT AND ELECTED LEADERS UNITE BEHIND AFSCME 3299
Oakland: As UC service workers represented by AFSCME 3299 begin a three day Strike Authorization vote, UC faculty, students, and workers–together with elected leaders from across California–have united in support of AFSCME 3299’s pursuit of a fair contract settlement with UC, and its call for continued good faith negotiations until an accord is reached.
“After 20 months, it is encouraging to hear that some progress has been made in resolving the long running dispute between UC and AFSCME 3299. Considering the major concessions that AFSCME has already made on UC’s core priorities, we hope UC will choose to continue making progress at the bargaining table and acknowledge the contribution of its 22,000 AFSCME workers through fair and equitable proposals that will lead to a just settlement. We are proud to stand with Local 3299’s members in their struggle to bring greater equity and accountability to UC, and to achieve what every worker deserves–dignity and respect.”—State Senate Majority Leader Ellen Corbett (D-10); Assemblymember Marc Levine (D-10); Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-28); Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez (D-51); Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-80); Assemblymember Shirley Weber, Ph.D (D-79); Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-18); Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-59)
“As the niece of a UC Service worker, I have first-hand experience with the hardships AFSCME 3299 members face. As a result, it has been very troubling to see the prolonging of this labor dispute. While I am heartened to hear about the progress that was made over the weekend, I hope UC will continue its efforts to reach a fair settlement with AFSCME 3299.”—Cinthia Flores, University of California Student Regent
“UC workers are an integral part of our university, from student life to the health of the patients at UC medical centers. The members of AFSCME 3299 deserve as much care and support as they give to the UC system, and UC students will stand with its workers for the respect, safety, and fair wages that all UC workers deserve. UCSA will continue to support AFSCME 3299 in its collective bargaining efforts and urges UC leadership to reach a collective agreement as soon as possible.”—Kareem Aref, President, University of California Student Association
“UC Workers represented by AFSCME 3299 have offered substantial concessions to reach an agreement with UC. Many AFSCME members at UC earn poverty wages. It’s time for UC to offer proposals on wages and staffing that address the issues of income inequality and staffing that provide career paths for UC employees. The California Labor Federation applauds the men and women of AFSCME 3299 for standing up for the principles of fairness that unite all workers, and their commitment to continued good faith bargaining. We call on UC to match this commitment so that a fair and equitable settlement can be reached.”—Art Pulaski, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, California Labor Federation
“The Council of UC Faculty Associations supports AFSCME workers at the University of California embroiled in a labor dispute over protections that would safeguard the health and safety of some of UC’s lowest paid employees. The University of California needs to provide ASFCME members staffing protections that can bring down unacceptable injury rates amongst service workers. UC’s efforts to outsource these positions or divide them into part time positions are dangerous and counterproductive.”—Patricia Morton, President of the Council of UC Faculty Associations (CUCFA)
“Cautiously optimistic of the progress made this past weekend, UC AFT calls on University of California to commit to staying at the table with AFSCME 3299 until an equitable settlement is reached. UC AFT supports its AFSCME brothers and sisters and we call on UC to offer similar wages and protections that have been granted to other UC unions, and to match AFSCME’s demonstrated commitment to continued good faith bargaining and compromise until a settlement is reached.”—Bob Samuels, President, UC-American Federation of Teachers (UC Lecturers and Librarians)
“UPTE-CWA 9119 applauds our brothers and sisters at AFSCME 3299 for their perseverance in exposing and taking on the wage and staffing practices that undermine UC’s public mission, widen the income gap, and put jobs, workers and the people we all serve at risk. UC has attempted to marginalize Local 3299 members who have stood for patient and worker safety, and fair wages. We are hopeful that the progress reported at last weekend’s bargaining sessions suggests a change in UC’s approach that will lead to more constructive negotiations in the coming days, and a contract for our colleagues in the SX and EX units. We support AFSCME’s Service Workers and Patient Care Technical members in their negotiations for a fair contract.”—Wendi Felson, Chief Negotiator, UPTE-CWA 9119 (UC Research, Healthcare and Technical Employees)
“Without the dedication of AFSCME 3299 members, the UC Medical Facilities simply could not function. That’s why these professionals deserve the same respect that UC grants to its other workers. It is our hope that UC will work to build on the progress that began last weekend, by addressing Local 3299’s reasonable demands, particularly in the area of safe staffing. These protections, which are already enjoyed by nurses and doctors, will help ensure our patients always get the highest quality care. They deserve nothing less.”—Dr. Stuart Bussey MD, President, Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UC Physicians, Dentists and Podiatrists)
“UC Police Officers stand in solidarity with our AFSCME 3299 represented colleagues, and recognize the important role they play in keeping the UC facilities safe for the students, patients and the community members we serve. The UC should reward these hardworking, dedicated and loyal employees by giving them at the very least, the same fair and equitable settlement that other UC bargaining units have been given. We hope and pray, that a quick resolution is near.”—Andrew Lopez, President, Federated University Police Officers Association (FUPOA, UC Police Officers)
“It is unacceptable for thousands of full time UC employees be income eligible for some form of public assistance. The members of AFSCME 3299 deserve a fair contract that honors their work and keeps faith with UC’s legacy of building ladders to the middle class. Our members are proud to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in AFSCME 3299, and call on UC’s leadership to continue working in good faith at the bargaining table so that an equitable settlement can be reached.”—Jason Rabinowitz, Executive Director and General Counsel, Teamsters Local 2010 (UC Clerical and Allied Service Employees)
