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Santa Cruz Indymedia | Education & Student Activism | Labor & WorkersAlumni Luncheon Interruption to Demand Fair Wages for UCSC Workers
The All-Alumni Reunion Luncheon held in the College 9/10 multipurpose room at UC Santa Cruz on April 26th was interrupted when students marched in demanding fair contracts for UCSC's underpaid service workers. The luncheon was part of the annual UCSC Reunion Weekend where alumni were invited back to campus to "learn how innovation is going global, sip wine, tour new facilities on campus, explore the "unnatural" history of UCSC, and more..." The brief interruption was widely supported by alumni who clapped, smiled, listened, and took souvenir photos as students passed out flyers, chanted and spoke on stage to inform alumni about the contract campaign for UC service workers.  entry_4-26-08.jpg Text of flyer distributed at the All-Alumni Reunion Luncheon:
The UC Service Workers' Contract CampaignAn Update for AlumniSince August the UC and the service workers' union, AFSCME Local 3299, have been negotiating a new three-year contract. These negotiations present an important opportunity for workers to receive more recognition for their hard work. While George Blumenthal and other UC executives have declared their support for labor, little has been done to meet the demands of the workers.* Market Rate Wages - At the expense of faculty, students, workers and their families, the UC is attempting to keep workers' salaries below those of their counterparts at community colleges and hospitals. This forces many workers to spend less time with their families as they are forced to work two or three jobs. UC service workers are asking for automatic annual step wage increases that reward seniority, not favoritism, and ensure that everyone reaches the maximum rate. * Pension and Healthcare Protection - The University continues to refuse to yield its power to adjust pension and healthcare plans during the life of the contract without negotiating. We must ensure workers' voices do not go ignored as the University violates the terms of their contract. It is shameful that our community is mistreated by a financially healthy institution. While UC executives are given record wage increases, workers continue to not be a priority of this institution. These demands are for basic financial stability and a fairer reflection of the value of these jobs, because without workers this University would not run. Voice of an Alum: "As an alumni I want the administration to know that I'm not going to give anymore money unless they agree to share it with the people who do the work that makes the University run. The time for a fair contract is NOW!" -Sandino Gomez Brought to you by the Student & Worker Coalition for Justice  clapping_4-26-08.jpg  stand-up_4-26-08.jpg  end-poverty-wages_4-26-08... Students and Workers Block Road at UCSC to Protest Poverty Wages (3/28/08)
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/02/29/18482492.php End Povery Wages! http://www.indybay.org/uploads/2008/02/29/poverty-wages_2-28-08.jpg  alumni-lunch_4-26-08.jpg http://www.alumni.ucsc.edu/reunions
"The All-Alumni Reunion Luncheon is the best opportunity for former classmates and friends to connect. Special recognition will be given to grads celebrating five- to forty-year reunions; grads from every class year and college are welcome. Recognize the contributions of UCSC faculty and staff as honors are bestowed on the UCSC Alumni Association's 2007-08 award winners: Environmental Studies Professor Stephen Gliessman (Distinguished Teaching Award), and Graduate Studies Director of Current Student Services Bob Hastings (Outstanding Staff Award). Read more" http://www.ucsc.edu/news_events/text.asp?pid=1979  university-of-california_...  sackman-williams_4-26-08....  hey-blumenthal_4-26-08.jpg  trippy_4-26-08.jpg  george-lunch_4-26-08.jpg  blumenthal-lunch_4-26-08....  john-bullhorn_4-26-08.jpg John was given time to speak on the microphone, but then the microphone was cut. Good thing John had a bullhorn on him.
 taking-back-uc_4-26-08.jpg  luncheon-interruption_4-2...  fair-contract_4-26-08.jpg  rally_4-26-08.jpg  inconvenient-truth_4-26-0... Alumni Association Assistant Director Lynn Zachreson felt that the demonstration took place at an "inappropriate time" and was upset because she spent three months planning the event. Lynn was also disappointed that she was not given advance notice of the surprise demonstration.
 contreras-robinson_4-26-0...  poverty-wages_4-26-08.jpg ** PLEASE SEE THE SECOND SET OF PHOTOS AND AN EXCERPT FROM AN ESSAY BY UCSC ALUMNUS J. DAVID SACKMAN AT:
"Students, Workers and Alumni for Justice!" at UCSC Reunion Weekend Luncheon http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/04/27/18495282.php |
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