The Bargaining Team met with UC on August 13 and 14th on the Riverside campus and more than twenty Riverside CUEsters came to support and observe over the two day period.  They asked many insightful questions and gave their testimonies to UC, which definitely made an impact on the team.

This is a fiscal crisis for the state, not the university.  In September CUE will be launching, "UC's Hidden Wealth," and presentations/Town Hall meetings will be scheduled across the state to enlighten and educate employees of the $5.3 billion in unrestricted funds that UC currently has.  The crisis that we are in exists because  UC continues to drain the state funds (19900 funds) by giving that money to its executives, (http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/regents/aar/comp.html )and senior managers, as observed by looking at the stipends, raises and bonuses  given out the same day as the Regents voted on J2, seen at http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/regents/regmeet/jul09/j2.pdf.

We realize this is a rough and scary time, but we cannot allow UC to manipulate us because of our fears.  The truth of the matter is, there will be layoffs regardless of whether or not we sign on to this program. If we have to accept this program the bargaining team is bound and determined, as it is our responsibility, to achieve the best deal and protections for the men and women protected under the MOU.

The more questions we present to UC adds to the list of questions for which UC did not have the answers.  UC still has not provided much of the financial information requested and necessary  for the team to make an informed decision.

More questions regarding furloughs:

- How will campus closure during the holidays affect employees on START, not subject to furloughs?

o This question arose, because some of the campuses have told their campus community  they will have campus-wide closures during the holidays that will extend from December 19th through January 5th which would have 6 additional closure days.

o Berkeley campus has not presented us with any information at this time.

o The tentative answer is that these employees may be forced to use vacation days, comp time or leave without pay.

- Can the furlough days be taken as consecutive days, leaving the employee the opportunity to use vacation or comp time during the holiday closure?

o Employees are asking if you are in the bracket where you would receive 11 furlough days, would you be allowed to take your days consecutively, giving an employee the opportunity to seek employment elsewhere for those days.  This is an issue that will be bargained at the table.

- If a person has not accrued enough furlough days during the campus closure can they borrow days?

o In the event an employee has not accrued enough furlough days, employees will be allowed to borrow time. Floating furlough days will be approved by his/her supervisor.

- How will furlough closure days, affect exempted employees (e.g. those funded solely by grant funds) that are not affected by the program?

o It is UC's position that these employees would have to use vacation time or leave without pay

We discussed Leaves of Absence (Article 14) and presented UC with CUE's counter-proposal to the university's initial proposal.  If you are not familiar with the contract, please go to http://www.cueunion.org/bargaining/contract.php and review.

I encourage you all to write your legislators or state representatives expressing your dismay with the university (http://www.legislature.ca.gov/legislators_and_districts/legislators/your...).  It is very disappointing that the university could loan the state $200 million dollars to build buildings, when this money could be used to save jobs and prevent salary cuts.

The next scheduled bargaining dates are August 26, 27, and 28 at UCOP, located at 300 Lakeside Drive, at the Kaiser Center.  Any employees wanting to observe these sessions, please contact the CUE office at 510-841-0700.  Your name will be put on a list and given to the bargaining team.  We hope to see as many of you there that can make it. If you have any questions, please send them to me, Local 3 bargainer, at ladyesq2b@yahoo.com.

Local 3 Bargainer
Stephanie Dorton