Tuesday, June 30, 2009
FURLOUGHS, PAY CUTS - Your thoughts?
CUE is requesting member comments on Yudof's proposed furlough and 8% pay cut proposals. We will pass your remarks on to the Regents, who are meeting at Mission Bay, San Francisco mid-July.
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277 comments:
1 – 200 of 277 Newer› Newest»I think that when information is disseminated through the ranks, some gets lost in translation, so to speak. I know some AAs did not receive information regarding the furlough and paycut proposed options. It is very important that when information regarding our livelihood gets sent to us so that we may comment on it in a timely manner. This is also good for the University and the Regents, as they seemingly are attempting to proceed transparently.
I noticed several Academic and higher graded Staff have already received upgrades or raises in the past 2-3 months. Apparently the "pay cuts" have already been planned, but those selected groups will just get "cut" back to their original salaries. I hope CUE highlights this disparity in it's negotiations.
> A concerned staff member
I think we shouild not accept any paycuts or furloughs until UC dips into their nonrestricted reserve funds!
D:)
First, I think it's hugely unfair that AA's didn't get raises but the higher graded staff did even before the talks about "pay cuts" started. Second, I think it's criminal that the pay cuts are going to occur given NO raises were allowed. When no raises were allowed we were already under the impression that we were sacrificing for the budget deficit - then. To then make the additional 8% cut, in whatever it's final form - is criminal, we're just plain being robbed. San Francisco, and actually our entire bay area, is a very expensive place to live, my rent went up, my groceries are more expensive, gas is rising again, and although we're employed, and that's good, we're being penalized for being underlings who work for the overlings who benefit from our labor. I'm mad. Can you tell?
We have jobs which is great.....we did not get a raise but the higher ups did.......if we earn over say $46K as in $46.5K we are been whacked with the same cut as someone who earns $100K or above and since they have already got a raise they will be earning the same with the cut........there is no fairness here.....
As a campus (as opposed to Med Center) AA who has been here almost twenty years, I missed out on an approximately 12% longevity raise. An 8% salary cut would bring campus AAs back about ten years due to the low or non existent cost of living raises and the total lack of merit raises for the last ten or so years (since the time several steps were added to the AA III classification).
Also, a cutoff at $46,000 is way too low.
Our salaries are already way below the marketplace, 15-20% or so, is it? And UC even admits that! Decreasing salaries another 8% will only make more people quit, and fewer qualified people will want to apply. How can management not see that this will only raise expenses as mistakes are made and time is spent training people who aren't qualified for the work?? And BTW, we'll have less money to spend, thus keeping the whole economy down even longer.
How about 10% or 15% decreases for those making $100,000+? Now THAT would be some money!
As for layoffs (management expert John Maxwell calls it dumb-sizing), "doing more with less" has NEVER worked. Between duties being eliminated outright, and customers getting mad, and people doing extra work they never hired on for and aren't good at, and looking over their shoulders wondering if they'll be next, it's ridiculous to think layoffs can improve a situation.
So if finances are so dire, why don't they ask US (the people doing the work) for suggestions on cost-cutting instead of hiding in their ivory towers (or resort retreats) and jumping right to salary cuts as the best solution? Some of us do have brains in our heads, and if you asked us like we were ACTUAL team members, we might be willing to help.
I totally understand the seriousness of the situation and the request of staff/faculty to help with furlough/pay reductions. If this is truly necessary, I would support furloughs (unpaid time off)that could be scheduled within each department/unit. I truly believe that salary reductions alone will be detrimental to staff morale and job performance. In addition, I feel that retirement benefits, etc. should be based on the beginning salary base (before any reductions)and that there should be a definite end date to this and as soon as possible, restore people to their former levels with an increase to offset the loss of pay sooner rather than later.
Thank you for passing on my comments
I understand that because of the economy we all are asked to cooperate; however to reduce our salary is unfair. A lot of us are just waiting to be paid what other companies pay their employees and we where looking foward to that increase this July. Now we are told that we are not going to receive an increase and instead we will have a decrease.
The unfair treatment just needs to stop. Feels like the small people always gets punished with pay cuts, less hours, furloughs, etc. While the people in power continue to get a raise, bonus and whatever else they get. The 8% won't even dent their pays since they're overpaid. Cost of living and everything else is going up, yet we get notices of pay cut??? We didn't even get informed by our supervisor, we just overheard everybody else who was talking about it. The worst part of it all is that all the AA's haven't even received a single cent for a pay raise. Instead of cutting the small peoples pay maybe everyone who makes more than $100k, esp the ones who make more than $250k should voluntarily take pay cuts, no bonus and stop the uneccessary spending like speaking engagements, that doesn't really help anyone. What a waste of money and they claim we're in a crisis. We are so underpaid and yet we have to do all the hard work.
8% pay cut that's a lot. I only get increase 3-4% a year. sometimes, it doesn't get one. Doesn't feel fair for cue members.
I would prefer a furlough. It should also be a campus wide closure. How are they going to keep up on everyone taking time off that they are supposed to? Since we do not get pay raises as it is I am concerned that when the crunch is released we will have a struggle to get back the rate of pay we are making now if they cut 4-8% across the board. Also, since there will be a time reduction, will fees be lowered? It is not fare that union dues, parking and medical be charged at the same rate.
I understand the need to make cuts during these times, but it is also not fair to make employees work more for even less and pay out the same amount in benefits, parking and union dues.
Another question I have is how will this affect the START program members? I am personally not involved, but know a few that are. As I understand it was a VOLUNTARY reduction in pay and time. I know quite a few people who participate in this whether to have more personal time or to work another job elsewhere. To me this is not fair that they will not be affected at all. I HAVE NO CHOICE in this pay cut, I have no other job, I do not want to cut my time or pay. I have to. I would expect there would be some sort of affect on them as well, they are in START so accumulate the same benefits, if our pay is cut, so will our retirement and stuff.
These are my concerns, take what you will from them. I understand what needs to be done, needs to be done, but all around it just sucks.
And someone said they only get a 3-4% pay raise/year? I don't recall getting anything.....
It would lower morale considerably and make people less accountable at work, I think, to lower the pay of hardworking already low paid workers. Close the entire university one day a month. Don't make us pay for gas and parking and take our rent and food money away too.
I do not like hearing when upper staff and administration get pay increaes at a time when the state of CA is in such a time of HURT for money, it will hurt the morale of staff with pay cuts and furloughs.
The state unemployment rate is now at 11.5%. Across the country 467,000 people lost their jobs last month. I would prefer not to have a pay cut, but keeping my job is much more important to me at this point.
I am an employee which works in UCLA PCN office and and todate our Manager and one additional employee were layed off. The work load has increased and now they are adding on more job duties and crosstraining staff. I would rather have no paycutt and go with furlough days. For those of us with children, It would be great to be able to work 9:00am to 3:30pm five days a weekand keep fulltime status and current health costs the same, if approved by the regents. This would cut my costs in day care, which are exceedingly high. I would like cue to present this to Human resources or to the regents. But with one notation, to assure that our retirement would be based on our fulltime salary and fulltime hrs. prior to the furlough plan effective date. I believe that given our economic crisis jobs will be saved if we all submit our comments and work together to avoid any unnecessary layoffs to our fellow coworkers.I am willing to work the above hrs.... I would also like for our office to close for xmas for two weeks if possible allowing for a urgent care office within ucla pcn to be established.
Pay cuts or furloughs will have a more devastating effect on some employees than others. Some employees are struggling from month to month. To reduce their salaries even more is not right in light that some employees are making exorbitantly high salaries and apparently received pay increases when the AAs received none.
I don't know how those who will decide the future of employee's salaries can have a clear conscience with reducing a certain population of UC employees.
It seems like they may be out of touch of what is so many employee's reality.
The previous comment is very well stated by the previous commentor:
I don't know how those who will decide the future of employee's salaries can have a clear conscience with reducing a certain population of UC employees.
It seems like they may be out of touch of what is so many employee's reality.
My comment to add to this is: To take a vote by all UC CUE members, I first believe the best plan would be no pay cuts or furlough days. But if we have no choice and are forced to choose between the two what would our cue members decide? I would go with furlough days. Can we take an online poll. I would prefer to choose my hours and days as long as it accomadates my dept.
The crisis in state government budgets is real. Luckily the UC system is one step detached from the general state budget, but cuts/furloughs are coming. I'll go along with reasonable cut, but my opinion is; give me the unpaid time off so i can do with it what i want. If i were required to work 40hrs a week and get less pay i'd be really unhappy. at least if i don't get paid for work i don't do, and have the time under my control I'll deal with it for the next year or two.
I understand the dire economic conditions that California is suffering today. I would honestly take a pay cut or even take furlough in order to save my union brothers and sisters. But when you increase our work load and cut our pay, how can we be motivated to work. You cannot unfairly ask workers to work twice as hard for half the pay; the world does not work like that. I will guarantee you this though, I will work as hard as UC pays. If you cut my pay, expect a work slowdown.
At Stanford, I heard that faculty were willing to take the bigger pay cut instead of having lower paying staff take the pay cut - that is big and also they would complete all financed building already in the works and continue to seek funding for areas that are needed in these difficult times. Seems if faculty are willing to do the same here, especially those in the higher income bracket, those of us would not have to take a pay cut.
The furloughs and pay cuts are appalling. I was waiting (as a UC educated Admin. Asst.!!!) to receive my increase because I haven't received it in two years. The amount we make is appalling. I am planning on jumping ship once I get my tuition reduced Master degree, if they even allow that. I am disgusted with the UC system. AAs do the extra grunt work when the budget doesn't allow for PSS or MSPs to be hired. I am hoping to find a university position at a private school. Maybe then I'll get some fair treatment. That being said, how about the people making above $60,000 get a higher pay decrease? They are hiring them at increasing rates.
I received the information regarding 'Furloughs/Pay Cuts', when I returned from sick leave (I was out of the office that week). However, the timeline for submitting my comments was already elapsed, therefore, I could not access the site.
And yes, 2009 pay increases for Academics were just processed in our office.
I went in to my MSO's office last week expecting a 4% pay cut and instead got hit with a 50% layoff. Both myself and the lowest senority janitor received these. Take the lowest paid, "happiest to be here" employees and whack them by 50%. Leave the highest paid employees as is.
Now that makes sense!
Signed,
Pissed off at the Marine Lab
We have not received any increases in salary for the past 3 years and now a pay cut? how will we survive this economy and continue to be deligent workers?
It is an interesting commentary on the level of consciousness operative in the UC system, when those of us making less than $18.00 an hour continue to be held responsible for mismanagement at the higher eschalons. While upper management continues to be paid more for ineptitude, those of us struggling to just keep our heads above water pay the price.
Something is definitely rotten in California.
A sad, frustrated, disappointed employee.
I feel this is unjustified and a slap on the face with these pay cuts & furloughs.
AA's have not gotten any raises for a long time, and now this.
And UC claims it will be only for 11 months. That's a lie.
I am a single parent, and is not easy raising a child on your own. My rent is not cheap, groceries are not cheap, and gas prices are going up again.
How are these AA's going to survive?
Martha
A reduction is pay is work for no pay. An 8% cut in pay means you will be working for free for 8% of your time. This is unacceptable particularly for a workforce that is paid sub-market wages and needs to fight with tooth and nail for simple cost of living increases.
And we all know what they *really* want to do. They want the pay cut and a daily furlough-- something like 12 minutes per day. "Hey everyone, just knock off at 4:48pm and we'll save money." They want that because they know that the great majority of the workforce works beyond 5pm daily just because stuff needs to be done... and we would stay even with negligble furlough time. It's just another way for them to get something for nothing.
If they want to cut their spending on our labor costs, they need to man up and do the right thing: give one day off per month without pay. That way they save money and we can do what we want with our unpaid time. If you're not getting paid, why work?
Empolyee with less than $45000 a year salary,we can hardley manage our pay check salary on month to month base with increasing tax and high cost of living and paying for our parking spot which runs by UCLA every month which is going up very year then on top of that the UC President Yudof's has plan for us to pay cuts and furloguhs proposal, this is not right for employee with less salary. He can do that with much more higher salary than us.
I do not want to have unpaid holidays rather than furlough. On a furlough, we could attend workshops, do banking and errands, get a second part time job, go to the library, attend professional conferences, or a myriad of other opportunities for self-improvement or employment which are not available on Holidays.
Have you considered this? If you insist on unpaid holidays, you get the same amount of work from us---to yoiur advantage, but if you pay our holidays, and give us furloughs, we have better control of our lives.
Thoughtful staff member
I can't take it: these upper management people making these decisions got THEIR raises, and they have car and housing allowances and benefits we will never see. I can't afford a mortgage in the Bay Area and I'm being asked for 8% - it's disgusting, I'm nauseated, how can Yudoff and his cronies do this with straight faces? I make 50K, support two people, and could lose my residence this year - someone who makes TWICE my salary wouldn't be hit as hard, why do they think >$46K is = $100K?
E. Said:
This is very unfair. How they dare to propose salary cuts for employees that make less than $40,000/yr? How we will survive this economy? The cost of living is going up everyday, I am talking the basics like food, gasoline and public transportation, not even mentioning rent and utilities. Again, this is complete unfair, since the most affected would be the employees with the lowest wages, not the high administrators or faculty, I don't think they willhave any problem with a salary cut. We have not received any increase in salary for the past 3 years.
Please be aware ot the reality, fair and compasionate.
A concerned AA employee.
I have been employed at the UC for over 2.5 years. Not only will paycuts affect my future retirement they will also affect when I will be fully vested in the pension. I don't know how I will pay my bills either. There's talk of raising the cost of health care benefits.
When the UC talks about senior staff receiving 5% paycuts, they conveniently forget to mention that they all received pay RAISES last year.
If we do have to take furloughs, raise the $46,000 threshhold to the highest amount paid of all bargaining unit employees. No weighted averages! Let us sign up for START instead and don't let them take away our holiday pay.
1. Cuts and furloughs should be much more proportionate. My salary is just slightly higher than the proposed dividing line of $46,000. Under the proposals we have seen so far, I would suffer the same percentage cut as top administrators and tenured faculty, who have secure jobs and make several times my salary. This is completely inequitable. Use the $46,000 as a factor to determine cuts; for example, someone with a salary of $184,000 ($46,000 x 4) would receive a 32% cut (8% x 4).
2. There must be a strict end date for the cuts and furloughs. As currently proposed, they could be extended for any reason.
3. There should be an additional option of just furloughs and no salary cuts. This would have much less impact on our Social Security earnings, pensions, etc.
4. Use the University's unrestricted funds before making any salary cuts. Salaries should be a much higher priority than projects like renovating Pauley Pavilion; how many jobs could be paid for by $185 million? Postponing such projects would demonstrate, both to the staff themselves and to the general public, a commitment to preserving staff salaries and quality of life.
5. Staff, especially lower-level staff, are the ones who keep the University running every day. We have already been denied cost-of-living increases for quite a long time, which amounts to an additional salary cut on top of what is currently being proposed.
I would prefer that everyone's salary remain untouched. Unfortunately, there are two alternatives to not enough money in the budget. The first is paycuts. The second is layoffs. I would prefer that everyone stay employed.
The govenor is serious enough about the budget deficit to close the state parks. I don't believe that the University is immune from drastic cuts.
I would prefer that the Union, expend it's energy negotiating the terms of the pay cuts so that we may regain our current salaries as soon as possible.
Thank you, Mary Margaret Perez
The overall sense of these messages is that of frustration. I too am angry with these threats of pay cuts. I was happy to reduce my hours to help the system, even though I live very modestly. But to tell me that I have to work for less money, responsible for duties that I never agreed to is insulting and I KNOW many people just will not do it. You will have a huge slow down on campuses across California and that will serve no one. If I had two day off a month without pay, I'd live. I could find a lot of things to do at home. But if I am going to have to come in every day making the tiny amount of money I earn (cut by some percent) I will lose the willingness I have to go the extra mile for my department. Just my two cents worth. Thanks for listening.
Dear President Yudof,
I appreciate being kept abreast of these developments; though I must tell you, morale overall is already suffering greatly under the pressure of anxiety driven by these matters.
Seriously, I have no input that is more on point than what has already been discussed or disseminated. But, it does occur to me that a great many people will be irretrievably broken, both financially and spiritually, by the measures you and the Regents intend to impose.
Already across the country the spike in suicides and other such desperate acts can be seen in the wake of unprecedented economic failures throughout the nation.
What comfort at all will be available to those of us who can little afford any further loss? Like so many people who work for the university, we take pride in our small role ... and to contemplate across the board salary cuts and/or layoffs to be levied upon staff without concern and/or support for loyal, long time employees who have consistently lived with years and years of NO salary increases; suspended merit increases; rising parking fees; rising fuel expenses; rising childcare expenses, seems fairly disingenuous of so-called decision-makers expressing "concern" vis-a-vis town hall meetings and re-hashing of statements such as: we won't know until the regents meet in July. This is impossible to believe and it does so little to reassure those of us who clearly depend on our employment with the university.
Being a "clerical", I read last week that salary cuts may not be an option for the university to impose; therefore, I become in jeopardy of being laid-off altogether if I understood your "youtube" chat. This is terrifying. It is beyond my ability to remain calm.
I am an employee with nearly 20 years service. It feels like it just doesn't matter at all.
Each day, new announcements that actually say nothing new. Each day, renewed worry that I will be unceremoniously dispatched despite nearly two decades of loyal service. This is not just my story, I realize that. But, really...where is it the information that would be comforting. The bulletins continue to come in; indicating nothing particularly new. Just that impending doom is close at hand.
I do wonder, will UC chancellors and the office of the President be sacrificing along with all of us? And if so, in what manner. What sacrifices are the top paid employees of the UC system such as chancellors and the President going to make? And if the Regents draw a salary, what sacrifice will they personally be making? I want to know some real answers to those questions. Not hypotheticals and not platitudes.
Thank you for your time in reading this.
Susan Tenenbaum
UCLA Media Lab
270 Powell LIbrary
Los Angeles, CA 90095
310.206.1211
I simply don't see how a 4% cut from my lowest-in-the-department salary could help the UC budget. I spend half of my monthly salary on rent just to live closer to the campus. I saw moving as an investment in my career, but I'm seeing now that perhaps UCLA was not worth this investment. With the costs of living in LA or commuting to UCLA from other parts of the county, it's a crime to reduce salaries of the lowest-paying jobs.
-joanna
We should not accept any pay cut or furlough.
No pay cut should be approved by our union unless there is a guarantee that regular pay WILL be reinstated in exactly one year.
At 4%, I will be back to my original salary 2 years ago when I was hired. It is unacceptable. If the economy was doing great, would the Regents propose an 8% pay increase for us....? I think not. Any cut should have to be reimbursed to the employee. Period. Udolph makes over 900,000 a year! 8% to him is nothing but to someone who makes 20.00 an hour it is HUGE!
I receive clerical wages, even though I'm a research associate, and I am the sole provider for a disabled wife. Since she's been trying to get back on her feet, we do not receive disability, but she's earned around $3K in the last year. We are currently living in part on our credit cards.
I personally cannot afford any lost wages. If the union decides to negotiate any furloughs of any type, there needs to be a means test before that furlough is required. The best solution that I can think of is for union members to have the option of taking furloughs if they can afford it without losing any benefits.
If pay cuts/furloughs are necessary, there should be an incremental system with more than 2 tiers to reduce the burden to employees with lower incomes, who already have a hard enough time making ends meet. Put the burden on those making $100K and more a year, those who get extra perks and bonuses. an 8% cut across the board is not fair. No one in this world needs to make $800K +$200K in retirement benefits, while others struggles already on $50K or less a year. We may not make the "big" decisions, but we do keep the university running. Without the day to day personnel cleaning, filing, faxing, pushing paper, this place wouldn't run. UCSF already pays significantly under market wages. I could go to Stanford and earn 50% more than I currently make, plus get free gym membership and $5000 in childcare grant annually. If there is an 8% pay cut, I will look for a new job outsite this university and while I may seem like an insignificant administrative assistant, I work hard, I take the initiative, I know my job like it is the back of my hand. Replacing me will not be easy and will cost the university money to train the person.
I wonder if there are any like me who were hired around Dec. 08. I was hired in December and scheduled to be off of 6 month probation in June (early). How coincidental is it that my evaluation was done in May (5 month mark instead of 3) and then my probation gets extended 2 more months to August? As if I cannot see that my eval. low remarks were just a cover up so that I can be easily let go in case, after Fiscal Close in June, there would not be enough money to keep me on. What an insult to my intelligence and, as if that was not enough, to throw dirt on my good name. Not only can I not participate in CUE activities because of my extension, I can barely take a day off once a month to take care of my family needs ( I have a 2 year old) without fear of being FIRED...because probation is supposed to be rough...so I'm told. We're really moving forward in the world folks...to a fear based trust.
First year at UCSD
1. Salary will now be cut by 4%
2. No raise this year
3. No guarentee that the 4% taken for the 12 months will be returned to me
4. no raise in my second year
Makes you want to continue working for such a wonderful place that takes your money, increases your cost of benefits, and expects you to be patient during this crisis.
If UCSD is asking for sacrifice, than the percentage of salaries MUST be fair. If I am asked to give up 4%, which is a tremendous amount of money than any one making $100,000 should have a greater % taken from their salaries. Increase the % in $50,000 increments i.e. 46,000 2%; $96,000 4%; $146,000 6% and so forth. Spread out the misery to all.
Bigger cuts MUST come from the top first!
Parking has increased, medical has increased, yet raises are spread across years.
I, dx with multiple sclerosis in 1997, am the sole breadwinner in a family of 3, with a husband who is ill and hence, not employed. I don't even make $40k! I've already given up parking and now take public trans, don't have a cell phone, much less an iPhone. We've already lost our house to foreclosure. Even a paltry 4% cut is going to hurt me, and I imagine many others, in ways that "the top" cannot understand. Please don't cut our already low level salaries.
We should not accept paycuts or furloughs - it was those at the top who made bad decisions, poor planning for the future, expanded their budgets, gave themselves raises, promotions, and have left us to clean up this mess. Chop from the Top! Chop hard - Chop deep! If they love this school like they say they do - Prove It!
CUE staff do not make enough money to live already. The ONLY ONES THAT MUST TAKE PAY CUTS are the Executives, Directors, and ManagerS who make an embarrassing amount of money. This is maddening and ruining our lives in CUE. We do do NOT MAKE ENOUGH MONEY AS IT IS. This will damage our lives and insentive, and lose morale, because this is hurtful. We use to be proud to work for UC. If this happens to CUE it will cause all of us a lot of pain.
We can't think about fair anymore...none of this is FAIR!! It's an abomination how the powers that be in Sacto and DC have wasted the budgets given to them to monitor.......!!! We just need to be thankful for our jobs and stop whining.....it won't do any good!
President Yudof notes in his video address that we need to "distribute the sacrifice and not unfairly call on one group or some other group to make up part of this deficit."
While I appreciate the voluntary (temporary) salary reductions taken on by UC executives in response to the budget crisis, do UCOP and the Regents have plans to reduce or eliminate non-salary executive compensation, such as university-owned housing, cell phones, bonuses, relocation and car allowances, and supplemental retirement contributions? It seems to me that "distributing the sacrifice [fairly]" would mean targeted reductions in fringe benefits and bonuses before cutting employees' base salaries.
I think it is immoral leadership to cut the base salaries of employees at the lower end of the pay scale, many of whom are already struggling to pay the bills as their salaries lag behind inflation and cost of living rises, while those employees at the top of the organization continue to receive raises, bonuses, and costly fringe benefits such as houses and cars.
It's time to see UC leadership put their money where their mouth is. If UC leadership is truly committed to fairness, rather than just paying it lip service, it will cut where it will do the least harm-- from the extra benefits allotted to employees whose salaries provide them with more than enough money to cover their basic needs, rather than from employees who have never been eligible for those extra benefits and who have already been cut dangerously close to the bone.
-MJ Kramer
CUE-represented employee, UCSC
I raised my kid alone since she was 5 years old, and I do not receive child support anymore after my ex lost job.
My net income is just enough to pay for my mortgage. I will not have money to buy food and pay for my kid's college expense if I get salary reduction.
What can I do ?
In all respect the choices options that are limited for the personnel that is under 46,000 is ridiculous for the reason that there is going to be the increase of parking, taxes, gas and any other increase that are being done. Being a single mom and barely making it from paycheck to paycheck makes no sense were money can be cut from all other sources instead of all of us that are making under 46,000. I can not even get a second job because all the extra money would go in child care any ways and when am I to be there for my kids.
More stress for the lowly paid. I want to know if counseling will be provided for the inevitable emotional stress, distress, family turmoil and sudden insecurity these possibilities will cause.AA's have not received a raise in quite awhile. Merit raises are foreign in my department. Possibly being asked to take a pay reduction or furlough while expenses are going up from at the gas pumps to basic living costs is going to further destabilize many families.
There isn't much I can say that hasn't already been said....it appears that most of us feel the same way.
If given a choice, I would most definitely prefer a couple of furlough days per month....this would not hurt me, and would allow me some freedom to do other things. I do realize, however, that for some, any reduction in their paychecks, due either to a salary decrease, or decrease in hours, could be devastating. I respect that. And maybe those in the position of authority should consider this as well.
What absurdity to expect people who make over $46k to take the same percentage of reduction as one who makes a quarter to a half million (or more) per year....and many of those with other benefits besides! There would be no change in lifestyle for these blessed individuals if they were to take 10 or even 15% reduction. Let our leadership show us exactly what they are made of. Or have they already?
It is hard to add much to what has already been stated here, as to how difficult it is to just "make it" as a clerical worker, but now have to face the threat of pay cuts/furloughs. I've been with the UC almost a year, I have never had a performance review and was told by one manager that I would never get a raise. And this was all before this news.
I don't think I could have been more demoralized, after an Admin career that includes working for the federal government, providing I'm a skilled and efficient worker who goes the extra mile. I know CUE is trying to the extra mile for me, but I find the UC system and those who manage/control it, heartless. I only took this job because I was living, for the 3rd time, on unemployment insurance. It is cruelty upon cruelty.
I also find myself in a position where my 4% pay cut will be taken from the private grants that fund my employment. It makes no.sense.what.so.ever. If the UC needs money they won't get it from me because the 4% I will be robbed of, will not benefit the state of California or the university system.
This is ghastly, this is unfair beyond belief, and the stress, not only from being overworked on the job but facing the stress of a pay cut while barely making it as it is, has caused me to come down with an illness this weekend, one I can ill afford to deal with when there is a mountain of work waiting for me in my office.
CUE, please impress upon the Regents at your meeting, how much people are suffering with stress and fear, and remind them of the old adage, "You can't squeeze blood from a turnip." I can't work any harder than I am and I refuse to kill myself for this job.
Thanks for listening.
In 2008, I understand that the Parnassus central office AA's and under got raises. When I asked why, I was told "it has always been that way". I work part-time for a very low-budget fellowship. Any furloughs or pay decreases. Already, my diet has changed to noodles, spam and vienna sausages just so I can keep up with my rent. I realize the country, state and city allege they have no money, but is that our fault. The poor always pay more than their fair share. Whatever means necessary, we should oppose salary cuts for lower echelon staff or furloughs. Really, these bonuses, housing allowances, expense accounts, etc., should be stopped, and these almost million dollar salaries per year stopped. Do you realize if the government had given each family a $million dollars, all the billions given to banks and auto makers (that has yet to be accounted for) would have stimulated the economy more? All said, I agree with earlier comments and thanks for allowing me to vent.
Regarding the 8% pay cut, the Regents should have changed the salary range to start at $80,000 -$46,000 is way too low.
Also, if they are going to cut our salaries I think it's only fair they give us the time off.
I do not have much to add except a few comments. I have not even worked here a year. I moved from another state (due to my husband's re-location). I took over a $10,000 pay cut to work close to my appartment and for such a great employer, and now I have to pay state taxes (which I did not before). I understand making sacrafices but this is not well planned out!
Has anyone thought of the fact that if we all are paid less we will also pay less state tax? That means the state would receive even less money! This would create a visious circle, correct? How does this solve any aspect of the state's deficit? Would the UC system then receive even less state funds next year?
If we have to choose from the very limited options, I would prefer the furloughs (not on holidays). This should be the only "acceptable" option so that the people who are truly struggling could hopefully find a part time position to supplement the cut in income. This would still be very hard for those people though considering the unemployment rate!
Thank you for your time!
As unpleasant as the pay cuts and furloughs are, brothers and sisters, I believe it is in our best interest to accept the same cuts that the non-represented employees are facing. We should of course secure contract language that will prevent further cuts, but if we are unwilling to budge on this we may face even harsher sanctions down the road because we were unwilling to all sacrifice a little bit here and now.
If I must choose, I would prefer a furlough to a pay cut, because then I would not be effectively working for free on UC's clock, and I could fill the off time with side work to try and make up the difference.
Yes, we are underpaid and I'm not thrilled about that. And no, I am not happy about the way the pay-reduction plan is currently structured and think it should be reworked so that higher-salaried employees take a more proportionate cut so that everyone sacrifices a bit more equally. But it's important that we be seen as sacrificing a little bit here and now, just like all the non-represented employees. Otherwise we may give the impression that we care only about ourselves and not about the University, and invite harsher cuts for everyone, union and nonunion alike, later on.
I propose that we ask UC to restructure the planned cuts/furloughs so that the pay reductions are more proportionally scaled across the various salary brackets. I propose that we accept the same cuts as the non-represented employees, but we should also negotiate contract language that will minimize the risk of further cuts or sanctions down the road.
If everyone sacrifices a little bit now, maybe none of us will have to sacrifice a lot later.
> An Irvine staffer
Reading through what has already been posted, I think you can make the determination that NO ONE wants a pay cut. I can't say anything that hasn't already been said, but what I can tell you is that campus spending and politics has obviously gone on WAY TOO LONG, and when the hard times hit, the little guys take the hardest fall. We should be watching spending and budgeting EVERYDAY....not just when the economy falls, and you look to see where all the funding is, and there's no "nest egg" because there's little accountablity and "under the table" contracts which dig deep in the university's pockets everyday. I surely hope that the union's (that we pay for) finally make a stand for those of us who are underpaid in this market by 25%, & finally give us our money's worth, and stop this insanity of pay cuts...all of us want to help in time of need, but who's gonna help us when we can't pay our bills & feed our families?Giving us unpaid time off certainly frees up our time to find a 2nd or 3rd job, (which BTW, I already have)but let's get "REAL"....read the unemployment rates...IT'S NATIONWIDE...NOT JUST CALIFORNIA...BTW...All of us deserve our raises no matter what position or level we are. This isn't a fair situation for anyone across the board...but SERIOUSLY...HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED $800,000 A YEAR TO SURVIVE? Anyone below $50,000 a year is already at "survival rate". LET'S GET HONEST ABOUT THIS....P.S. Aside most of our anger and disappointment, we all ARE thankful to have jobs, but it's time to stop this madness not only within the University, but we as Americans need to stop this country from falling to our own demise. Our forefathers would be rolling in their graves. Remember,"Hungry, homeless and hopeless people have nothing to lose!"
UC is a leader in research and education and with all this smarts, it can't solve it's fiscal problems. There's something wrong here. I feed four mouths with an AAII salary. A 4% cut may not seem like much to the Regents, but to my family it can be the difference between living in an apartment or a cardboard box.
I agree with the furloughs, but not to have the days on the holidays.
Totally defeats the purpose...how shifty can they get?!!
It's really pretty petty and shows what is really important, or should I say who is important...
I don't understand. My choices are an 8% pay cut or an 8% reduction in time, right? So if we vote for the pay cut, we will still have to work 40 hours. If we vote for the furlogh, at least we don't have to work those hours we would otherwise not be gettin paid for. Seems like a no-brainer to me!
I am close to retirement and these last years before I leave should be my highest pay. Now I will have to settle for the status quo when we have the pay cuts.
1) The University should use its sizable unrestricted reserve before imposing salary cuts.
2) UC Clerical salaries are already below market rate and we have not enjoyed the recent pay increases received by many higher level Staff. This amounts to an additional salary cut on top of what is currently being proposed.
3) Academic and higher graded Staff have received upgrades or raises and so would be "cut" back to their more recent salary levels. Staff who have been granted pay raises in the past 18 months should take a higher pay cut if one is implemented now.
4) Any necessary pay cuts should be done as furlough days which staff can schedule in coordination with their unit/department management. Imposing unpaid holidays is the same as a pay cut w/o time off and is unacceptable.
One more thing from me - I want to concur with those who are in favor of furlough days, and those days NOT being on holidays is an excellent proposition. Don't make me work 40 hrs. a week for far less pay. Give me a chance to make up the decrease in salary with a part-time job.
I don't like the idea of a pay cut, but do need to keep my job, so it is probably necessary.
Given a choice, I would rather have a furlough day a month, (one of my choosing) than to have unpaid holidays. Let me choose which day off I get, don't choose it for me.
That way, if I need to get a second part time job, I can schedule which days I can work more at that job.
My department has already had layoffs. We've also had people leave and the management is not filling those positions. I don't want to be next.
Proposed Cuts that are painful & fair to all:
Yudolf currently has a compensation package valued at $828,000. His salary of this is $591,084. See Article.
Below are salary reductions that YUDOLF should not be immune to:
$500,000 or greater receives a 50% salary reduction.
$400,k-499,999 receives a 40% reduction.
$300,k-399,999 receives a 30% reduction.
$200,k-299,999 receives a 20% reduction.
$100,k-199,999 receives a 10% reduction.
$50,000-99,999 receives a 5% reduction.
$40,000-49,999 receives a 4% reduction.
$30,000-39,999 receives a 3% reduction.
I personally would not go any lower.
I attempted to do the survey posted for President Yudof but was unsuccessful because the set up required each query have a response selected and I only posted a comment to the question "How would you rank the President's options" and then were requiring a most acceptable and moderately acceptable and least acceptable choice.
I believe there is no MOST ACCEPTABLE option to these choices of President Yudof -- in my opinion there are two least acceptable options along with a moderately acceptable option -- responding in any other way is putting words in my mouth and I resent it. I know I can't afford a pay cut in any form, especially since, unlike the faculty, neither raises nor cost of living adjustments have been in my recent experience, and I did the math for all three options and that is what I determined.
While the attempt to lessen the impact of any of the salary reductions and unpaid reductions on those earning less than $46,000/year is laudable, all it really accomplishes in the unpaid days off is leaving those individuals the only ones available to cover desks while others are off (oh boy, more work for even less pay and recognition than they already receive).
The problem the University has had in the past with any unpaid time off (i.e. early 1990's) is the misguided attempt to behave as if nothing has happened or is wrong by staggering the unpaid days off. The only equitable action for unpaid days off is that they apply to everyone on the same day, so that no one is left holding the bag trying to do their own work in less time while covering for others who are not in.
I also find the amount selected for annual salary threshold for the differential between the two rates of pay cut and unpaid time off to be on the low side and I think any salary differential considered needs to have supporting documentation showing before/after values.
I think we should just go for unpaid days as once Holidays are cut it will be quite difficult to get them back.
I also think the entire university should shut down on those days since it would save considerably on overhead.
Thanks
Maureen
I have enjoyed working at UCSF for the past 8 years. I have noticed lately that the morale of my co-workers is low. People are scared and upset. Although I am aware there is a problem that must be fixed I don't believe an 8% cut in pay is the right answer. The furlough idea is much better:no work, no pay. When I retire I do not want to get paid at a lower salary. Please keep morale up and vote for furlough....no pay cuts.
I was walking through the cafeteria on the 2nd floor on Parnassus this morning and I saw a poster with a renovation plan that read "coming October 2010" for the cafeteria. Now, I think that if they are serious about trying to help the employees, they should not be renovating any buildings, instead use that money to keep people in their jobs. It might not be a long term solution, but it might delay having to lay people off. The cafeteria doens't need any improvements unless it is not safe in its current condition. If it's not an obligation or mandatory, there should be no renovations happening through out UCSF!
Before any staff endures a pay cut, furlough, unpaid holidays or any other "cut", the Regents and President Yudoff need to explain why the UC has a "budget crisis". 19% or less of the UC monies come from the State of California and the UC found enough to give bonuses to UC management in the middle of this "crisis" in fall of 08 and also pay raises to uncovered staff at the same time. How does this then translate to a budget crisis?
I just plain agree with what everyone has already said. It truly is a sad state of afairs when the very hard working staff of UCD, many that have been there for 10 plus years whose salaries are below the competative market, are asked to take food from their childrens mouths. That is exactly what you are asking of us lower paid staff. You are not asking for a 4-8% cut in pay, you are asking us to forclose on our homes and to take the food & clothing from our children.
I am sickened by money that is just thrown around without intelligent thought. Who really needs $100,000.00 for moving expenses? And if you are given a home to live in, why do you need more than $300,000/year or more in salary to live on? I don't get it. I am in agreement that if management that is paid more than $200,000/year takes a 15% reduction then maybe those making less than $46,000 could be spared any salary cuts.
Also, what about those who work 50% and have to take a furlough day, will they lose their medical benefits? If so, then part-timers should not have to take furlough days.
I will just be reaching the end of my probabtionary period this month and instead of getting a possible slight salary increase for doing well at my job, I'm going to be rewarded with a paycut. I already take home less money than I received when I was unemployed and this will just add more insult to injury.
An employer simply cannot expect that the employees of such a large organization will have much satisfaction with their job if, in addition to already below-market salaries for most, their salaries are reduced further. If my salary is to be reduced, I'd rather be "compensated" with personal time off by way of furlough days. At least, I will be able to accomplish personal errands that are otherwise not possible during the normal week. So, please, choose furlough days and not unpaid holiday unless you plan to provide the Christmas/New Year's holidays as furlough days (the entire period starting and in between these two holidays). At least I can spend time with family.
First, absolute transparency, inclusion and accountability are required from the top administrators. Mark Yudof states in his letter that the President, the VP's, Chancellors, etc. have reduced their pay. I personally would like to see that chart; what their pay scale was previously and what reduction percentage they took.
The folllowing is a quote from Wikipedia regarding the hiring of Mark Yudof as President of the UC System:
"The UC Board of Regents confirmed his appointment on 27 March 2008, and Yudof began his term on 16 June 2008. His annual compensation at The University of California is $828,000."
The President of the United States and the leader of the free world makes $400,000 annually. President Obama is dealing with 3 international wars, global financial melt-down, global warming, endless crises around the world.
How does the President of one university in one state rate more than double the salary of the President of the United States? Most of the Chancellors earn equal or more than the US President.
This is a greed sickness that has to be addressed. Mark Yudof is a lawyer and obviously expects to be paid the ridiculous exhorbitant pay that lawyers receive in America. He claims to care about this University and its mission to support education and the students.
It is my opinion that Mark Yudof should take a 50% pay cut. And working down the pay scale; the Chancellors should take a 45% pay cut; the top administrators a 35% pay cut on down the line. Any employee making less than 75,000 a year, should get a 5% pay increase. And student fees should be cut across the board by 10%.
The fact that these greed mongers at the top are putting the burden of their greed on the people at the bottom of the employee structure and on the students families is beyond the pale and totally outrageous!!
These people need to be reminded of the French Revolution and its causes; namely the greed of the French Royalty. There is only so much abuse the human population will take before it rises up in arms against inequality and unfairness.
So, I would like to state to Mark Yudof and the Regets, et al;
If you really care about education and its higher mission, prove it. Do the right thing and cut your salaries 50% and stop putting the burden of your arrogant greed on the students and the people at the bottom of the food chain who are barely able to make ends meet as it is. Cut student fees 10%, and give a 5% raise to all those making less than $75,000 a year. Give a 5% reduction to those making $76,000 to $100,000 and incrementally increase the reduction the higher the pay scale.
That would be FAIR and EQUITABLE and would certainly improve your reputation.
Lark Ashford
Ok, My co-workers and I never received our raises back in October. CUE has been in negotiations. I am a member and I
don't believe that CUE has been aggressive enough. This pay cut is
going to affect me in a bad way and I am going to have to get a second job. I only have to work 3
days to keep my benefits. In my work I have seen thousands of dollars spent on upgrades to our facility and I think that is money
being wrongfully spent. And I have heard that UCLA has money to pay out to hotels in the
amounts of $700.00 for one night through other departments! Money
that is just being waisted. If UCLA can justify these expenses, than why the paycuts! I am upset
about this. UCLA cannot run with out it's employees. I don't think that we are important to those who are in charge. Maybe, they have forgotten about us. Maybe, we have just become numbers and/or statistics.
Thank you, Love My Job
P.S. What about parking that is going up. How about a break for us. I am already considered poverty level.
I think the question is "Does it really matter what we say?" Nobody will listen anyway. I have been here for 5 years, I have not received 1 raise, sure the pathetic 2% here and there, but not even a equity raise.People are being hired into this department making more than me with less experience, yes that makes me mad!!! My paycheck just makes my bills, nothing more, the fact they will take more is not great either.I think our UNION needs lessons from Teamsters or CSEA in order to represent us effectively, so far I have been disappointed and embarrassed.The staff knows where they reside on this campus, somewhere below the dog dirt on the bottom the University's feet.
STRESS THROUGH ALL THESE CHANGES.
It is very unfair for us not to get any raises from last year yet we have a (PAYCUT)of 4% to 8% that hurting me really bad. Parking raises every single year. I think CUE needs to fight for us more than what they think they are doing.
This PAYCUT is unacceptable. UC Regents need to take all the paycut themselves and I know for sure they wont even feel it.
Lets be fair and have the higher ups work and try to make a living with less then 46,000.00. That will be "fair". President Yudof has a suggestion of pay cut. Well lets start with his!! He makes close to 700,000.00 R u serious? 50% pay cut for him would be just great so that anybody under 70,000.00 wont have to take the cut.
After working in the UC for 20 years and watching as money was wasted thru mismanagement over the entire period, I'd just like to say that the pay cuts should not affect any staff making under $50k a year, and should be most extreme at the top levels.
Let me be blunt: the University would run fine by itself for YEARS without the top level of administrators, as the staff underneath them does all the work & know what needs to be done better than they do anyway. How much money would that save? Let's let the Regents take an unpaid sabbatical and allow the staff do just go ahead & get the job done!
Put your money where your mouth is Yudof and YOU can take at least a $400,000 paycut! With all the perks he gets for being president, he can afford it. Why isn't anyone pressuring him or demanding him to take that kind of cut? Is he really worth the $800k yearly salary? I think not because if he was, he would come up with better options for us rather than the 3 crappy options put forth already. I am not impressed at all by Yudof and as a tax payer, I can get more bang for the buck with someone else. He might have done much for higher education in Texas, but we're not not in Texas, we're in California. What really pisses me off about this paycut, is that I am a UC alum that graduated in 2007. After working in the public sector for a year after graduation, I came to work for the UC for the stability it offered. Sadly, I was deceived. I am a product of a system that is now failing me. I invested in my education at a UC because the UC boasts about the high value of a UC education in the work force and now, that investment has no value for the UC who is my employer.
So to sum up what Yudolf just said in his video that employees making:
$40k or less get 11 Furlough days
$240K or more get 26 Furlough days and
Sr Management get 10 Furlough days
Did I understand this correctly? Anon001
Dazed and Confused!!!
I'm upset that higher ups received pay raises of something like 10% earlier this year and now want to act as though it's a lost for them as well. I don't understand how they expect us to live with the price of everything going up and taking money from us at the same time. How can the economy bounce back with this kind of thinking. Dollars must flow in order for the economy to grow. I believe most of us were hoping or expecting a raise this year being that other unions and managers received raises. It's bad enough the UC pays below standard wages and we can't even get merit increases either! I think this is not fair as some people work harder than others and deserve to be compensated, instead of everyone getting a raise at the same time. This does not make for motivation to really work harder than the person next to you. You know the saying "money talks and the rest walks" I believe UC is trying to take advance of the situation. Then you have departments where people are leaving and they can't or won't fill those positions because of the budget and lumping that work on to the lower positions in the department adding insult to injury with the less pay but pleanty more work!! Meanwhile it's my understanding that some facutly or managers have figured out other ways or accounts to get paid out of thereby not really taking the pay cut. I could go on forever but I feel like what good is this all going to do anyway. I hope this union really represents us and stands up for what's right and for those of us paying dues!
I vote to accept the revised furlough plan presented to us on July 10.
I understand the outrage about Yudof's salary and management-levels getting raises while clericals get nothing.
However, it is my belief that if we refuse to accept the furlough plan, we will face layoffs and possibly lose health benefits and certainly we will get no concessions on maintaining pension levels.
UC Berkeley campus
AA II (25 years)
It would lower morale to lower the pay of our underpaid, hardworking, skeleton-crew staff that fight long and hard for a 1% increase which take usually more than a couple of years to attain. There is no stratification in the 4/8% concept. Close the entire university one day a month and let the medical center staff paid with state funds to take the day off as well. Also, cease the never ending building construction.
I have worked as an admin for nearly 20 years. My place of residence is a low-end apartment in a fairly safe neighborhood where I brought up my daughter as a single parent. Electricity still runs on 4 fuses and the power goes out but it's the only place I can afford on my salary. The upkeep for this place is minimal in terms of size, as it is a very small apartment and minimal cleaning is necessary. The grounds are dirty, the woodwork is filled with termites, roaches and a few black widows visit every summer while black mold lives in the walls. I cannot afford to move out. I still pay $20.00 a week at the pump regardless how expensive gas is so I do not go over budget. Thank god I don't have to pay childcare anymore as I would never be able to afford it now. I owe thousands of dollars in credit card debt because my pay isn't enough to live on month-to-month, and groceries take most of what's left after I pay rent. My grandmother taught me to be happy with simplicity, so I can play the home-girl, keep expenses low by drawing, painting or reading, so I don't have outside expenses other than occasionally purchasing apparel, many of which are found at Ross or Marshalls.
I would gladly invite Mr. Yudoff to come and sublet my apartment for one month if he's ever in town to see what it's like to live here. The two washing machines downstairs work, but only 1 of the 2 dryers work properly, the landlord is too cheap to fix the other one. Money is better spent carrying your laundry to a public facility, the charges there are cheaper. Also, be careful of the 2 flights of stairs while carrying your laundry and heavy groceries, they're slippery in the morning from the marine layer. There's no security here, the doors and windows are easy to break into, but not to worry - I have a sturdy golf iron you can use to hit an intruder over the head with. There is a setback, parking is a block away and up a steep hill (location is on the corner of a busy intersection) so groceries will become tiresome unless you have them delivered to your door.
There is a point to all this, basically - the American dream is just that and all it ever will be...
ARE WE GOING TO STAND WITH THE OTHER UNIONS AND STOP THIS OUTRAGE OR WE WILL JUST BE APATHETIC LIKE ALL THE OTHER TIMES.
-signed
frustrated UCLA
A way to cut the budget by $700,000 a year.. cut Yudoffs salary in half, make him pay into his own pension yearly, pay his own rent, and cancel the car allowance...
$412,500 half salary
$125,000 plus to pension
$132,000 yearly rent
$9,000 car allowance
therefore you can imagine the savings if chancellors were included..
Let's examine the truth of the matter. The truth is that the State of California has a fiscal emergency, NOT UC. UC has a well known history of hiding behind the skirts of the state budget to justify keeping the salaries of its hard working staff below fair market value in plush years and now wants to use the state’s fiscal crisis as an excuse to CUT our salaries. And while UC cries poverty to keep our salaries down they consistently turn around and give their top administrators outrageous salary increases, bonuses and perks. Yes, it was quite “noble” of them to take a token 5% pay cut. A 5% pay cut for top administrators who make more in a month then we will see in 2 years of work is NOT equitable to a 6% furlough pay cut at our level. Maybe they can’t buy a third car, or will have to give the gardener an extra day off, or dismiss the pool boy, or can’t pay the upstairs maid a Christmas bonus this year. Down at our level these cuts make it increasingly difficult to pay the rent, put food on the table or keep the electricity on. How many top administrators are you going to see standing on a street corner twirling a sign for a crappy extra $9.00 an hour to make ends meet?
The truth is that excessive payouts to top administrators and runaway salaries at that level over the years with increases still granted within the last six months is where a good portion of your shortfall is going. The truth is that UC has the resources to absorb the shortfall from the state. The truth is UC depends on a small percentage of its budget from the state. The truth is UC has enough unrestricted funds or can tap into its reserves to make up the difference. If every single penny is tied up somewhere else then where did UC miraculously come up with over $1 million dollars to help UC Merced defray the cost of Michelle Obama’s visit? The truth is UC can temporarily take back enough of the money from its overpaid administrators to make up the shortfall without furloughing everyone else’s salaries. The truth is UC doesn’t want to do that, because the wealthy UC decision-makers want to continue to protect their assets. The truth is if there is a fiscal crisis at UC it may be due to poor fiscal management and not a dearth of money in the state coffers. The truth is there is no solid urgency or reason for declaring a fiscal state of emergency to begin with, and certainly not before its employees can see a full and open disclosure of the UC budget, how monies are being spent, resources available, and alternatives studied and suggested for making up the shortfall.
The very very very sad truth is that UC doesn't give a damn about us, only its top administrators.
Yudof's plan of pay cuts and furloughs (i.e., mandatory days off w/o pay), is unconscionable. It just illustrates how much we are valued by the University system.
No to pay cuts! No to furloughs! Stop the constant parade of outside "consultants"! Stop the waste! Respect and reward those who do the work!
Diana Local 6
PS Why no scheduled shuttle to the Regents' meeting?
President Yudof,
I believe it's clear that employees have two choices, neither of which is palatable. We can expect a large number of layoffs OR we can expect a smaller number of layoffs in addition to pay cuts and furloughs.
The prospect of trying to find a job in today's economic climate does not seem viable. Living on less money will be uncomfortable but not as uncomfortable as being told, "You no longer have a job."
Given the two choices, my vote is for a SMALLER income as opposed to NO income.
To the CUE union leaders: Life is a lot of things -- "fair" is not one of those things. Please take a realistic look at the two choices we have. It's one or the other.
Caron Williams
Administrative Assistant II
Graduate School of Education
Dear Cue Leaders,
I happen to be an AA who would very much like to keep her job, and I feel that if you continue down this ridiculous path of opposing furloughs/pay cuts, most of us will almost certainly be laid off.
I unwillingly contribute money from my pay check to this union, and if I get laid off you do not receive any more money from me. I may not like it, but I support the furlough option only because I will thus have a job to get up for in the morning.
I would like to second Jenna Towers remark. I want out of your union.
CUE
As a represented member of CUE, I hope that the union has the best interest of the employees in mind. Due to the economic recession, it will be very difficult for the majority of us to find jobs. I have spoken with many of my peers in regards to this matter and the overall consensus seems to be accepting pay cuts in lieu of layoffs. In these tough times, please, do not gamble with our livelihood.
Nieema Galloway
UCB
Along with Jenna Towers and the one anonymous writer-in, I would like to have the option of waiving CUE coverage.
I don't value your work in the least. Nor do I agree with the ridiculously combative approach taken by ALL of the unions opposing the furloughs.
Misinformation about "unrestricted reserve funds" and claims that higher-ups have received raises without evidence to back these claims up...THIS is what my "fair share fee" goes to support?
No thank you.
I support the furlough plan and will take my 4% cut happily if it means I still have a job at an institution I dearly enjoy working for.
Aaron Sikes
UCD
Apathy Rules Sheeple this and the other unions are a croc, Wake up everybody. Ignorance is bliss.
Frustrated at UCLA
along with everybody else it seems, we haven't gotten any merit raises or step increases even though HR has admitted that we are overdue and has said for about 6 months that we were "next in line" (we got some c & b story that they could only put through 2 at a time without "raising a red flag". in addition to my UCSF duties, I spend a lot of time doing hospital work so I really have two jobs and now UC wants us to shut up and be happy we at least have jobs? with UC's gross involvement in the weapons used against the innocent civiilians in Gaza, I am less and less inclined to feel that my employment here is a good thing.
If we are getting a pay cut or forlough,can we get a reduction in parking fees?
we don't receive pay increase, yet they want to take from our salary.
Who cares about a raise right now. People just want to KEEP their jobs. Let's keep that in mind, everyone.
I am sure that after the University explains its proposals to our bargainers, they will want to come back, meet with CUE members to collectively reach a decision on the response to bring to the table with them. I hope that many many people would turn out for such a tremendously important meeting.
to K Chang:
No one is asking for a pay increase right now. Just stating that we DON'T receive them so it is unfair that they want to take from our salary.
I agree with the last few comments regarding union. I, too feel CUE is combative and especially now, if you gamble with ANY of our jobs, you have failed us.
The University of California has plenty of money in unrestricted funds. Why won't the higher administration use it to help the university's employees instead of giving us salary cuts?
sometimes the world isnt fair...but to fight this furlough/pay cut is suicide! Stop fighting the Regents and lets move on. WE all have to deal with this, no matter what our level is. Most agree....something is better than nothing and to lose our jobs now would be the worst thing that could happen. There are NO jobs out there!! Can you hear us CUE!!!!
So how many CUE members qualify for the 8% my guess is not many.
I am an AA3 making 42k and will be facing a 5%. So if we are going to expect people to take CUE seriously then we need to get our facts clear.
Layoffs, while painful, are targeted and temporary. The economy will rebound, and jobless benefits are generous. Furloughs, however, are permanent and widespread. We will never get back the wages lost from our already poor salaries. And there are no benefits for people who are sill technically employed but not making enough. - L Buisson
If you live in California and make under 30K a year you are already receiving a pay cut. Supporting a family on such a low salary and then being asked to take a pay cut is criminal. I would like to see this tax bracket stood up for. I simply CAN"T afford to make any less.
Before all this talk started about furloughs and cuts across the board, I was told that my position (and 5 other AAII in the department) were being cut to 50%. Nothing has been said since the talk of furloughs one way or another. Frankly, I would welcome the 4% furlough rather than being cut by 50%. And I certainly don't want both to happen. No one's talking.
Regents, the Presidents Office, and the big wigs should have their housing allowances taken away. Why should they have those basic needs taken care of when they already have such HUGE salaries and bonuses. Their bonuses alone are twice as much as what I make in a year!!!
I think the following two issues are paramount:
1. Implement an immediate freeze on all proposed cuts until alternatives can be openly considered at the September 2009 Regents Meeting.
2. Thoroughly investigate alternatives to the proposed cuts in services with a full report due at the Regents meeting in September 2009.
But if pay cuts are truly inevitable, I think they should be graduated, even more so than they are now. Staff earning less than a certain amount, perhaps about $35,000, should be completely exempt from cuts.
Very large cuts, perhaps up to 15% should be applied to those whose salaries exceed $300,000.
I am an AAII employee and have been at UCLA for 14 years. I can not afford to take furloughs or pay cuts. My wages are not keeping up with the rate of inflation. It is not fair for the University to keep asking us to make sacrifices. Sacrifices should be made by those who are getting an outrageous amount of money in wages and bonuses or the University should make sacrifices for its employees by willing to take money of its huge account.
Anonymous
If union doesn't agree with pay cut, UC starts laying people off and I am sure nobody wants to lose her/his job. Pay cut is worse, but losing job is worst. So we'd better go with worse.
I don't want to lose my job, but I can take pay cut.
I believe that someone needs to look into the "reserve" fund that Yudof is keeping from everyone, and use that to compensate our wage loss. As all of us know, Yudof is keeping this reserve to use for something corrupt, as he has done in the past. He has given himself raises, hired people with large salaries, and he knew all the time that the UC system was in trouble. We need strong attorneys to look into this and attack it.
It's unfortunate that we have to suffer due to the current economic climate. However, right now, no one is exempt and everyone has to do their share in helping out. I would rather take a pay cut and save the jobs of my co-workers, rather than lose more (maybe mine) jobs due to layoffs. I urge our Union representatives to bargain in good faith on this issue for a speedy resolution. When I sat bargain in good faith, I mean that if they don't agree to the furloughs, our union reps will still be employed and we, possibly, may not.
As a single mother of 3 who relies solely on my income to provide for my family I am urging CUE to accept the proposed furlough days that are being implemented. I need my job as I am sure everyone else does and would much rather take furlough days instead of having to face layoffs.
As much as I find it appalling that I have yet to get a merit raise after several years of employment here, I would rather keep my job. CUE, this isn't a fight you're going to win right now, and since you're supposed to be representing us (and I didn't even get a say in that! I got my job only to find myself in the union without an option to decline if I wanted), don't push so hard that you'll make us lose our jobs by "forcing" the UC to make layoffs. It was useless when the economy was fine; it's going to be even less effective now. None of us want a pay cut, I know, but I think most of us are willing to take the lesser of two evils and live to fight another day.
And though I doubt Yudof is reading this, in the off chance that he sees this message: how about taking a bigger cut yourself (it's ridiculous that your salary is greater than the President of the Unites States') and dipping into that reserve fund? If this isn't an emergency, I don't know what is.
CUE...accept the furloughs.
I am an AA at UCB and strongly support the furloughs. I have been working here for less than two years and look forward to coming to work everyday. Since I don’t have seniority, I may be one of the first people in my unit to get laid off. I urge the CUE representatives to stop opposing the furlough option and SAVE some jobs. If not, they are misrepresenting us and therefore don't deserve to get our monthly fee.
After not being allowed a raise last year and a furloughs/paycut this year, I am hoping that CUE will negotiate some type of raise agreement with the UC Regents. Somewhere around 10% at the end of this one year furlough/paycut period. If, 3.5% for 2008-09 + 3.5% for 2009-10 + the 4% reduction from furlough/paycut= 11% in losses. The 10% is pretty fare to put us all back on track. Again, I hope CUE will do something to this effect in its talks with the Regents.
I agree for the furlough but what about the sick, vacation and UCRP.
that is also unfair!
I'm sick and tired of these mediocre unions pretending they have our interests at heart. The unions are making MILLIONS off the bureaucracy they have created and for the most part, haven't done SQUAT for employees in the last 10 years.
The UC has done what they wanted with us when they wanted and nothing ever changes!!
If CUE really cared, they'd stop taking our money and put it back in our pockets where it belongs!!
Down with CUE!
I see why some of the CUE members may be worried that CUE's bargaining approach may cost them their jobs, but this is just over-reacting. If ya'll would look into the history of CUE and it's accomplishments to our jobs, then you would understand the sacrifices and and hard work they have put in. As has been mentioned, the UC has the reserve money to offset costs and pays it's top tier staff outrageous amounts. We probably won't see that change. However, being worried of CUE's "aggressive tactics" is more hurtful to the strength of our union. CUE has saved our buts in the past and don't ask for much in return but appreciation and trust. I will somehow survive with the furlough/paycut option they have chosen but most of us are having a hard time barely getting by. Keep up the good work CUE and I encourage ya'll to go to the monthly meeting to see their good work for yourself.
Power to the people!
-AAII
Juan,
Unions today are a far cry from where they started.
Today's unions are corrupted bureaucracies riding the coat tails of the UC employee.
Power to the people is right! We need to stand up and take these matters in to our own hands and oust the CUE businessmen.
I think we should accept the furlough/paycut as soon as possible. Although I know that most of us cannot afford a paycut it could be our own or a coworker's job that we save. The most important thing right now is to have a job and health benefits.
TO:
Anonymous said...
to K Chang:
No one is asking for a pay increase right now. Just stating that we DON'T receive them so it is unfair that they want to take from our salary.
DO YOU WANT TO LOSE YOUR JOB???!! It is about money, more money and always has been. People will lose their job. Get with it.
Imagine this: Layoffs are negotiated & agreed upon. The University must now make some crucial decisions. Who's less valuable then whom, how will the University's business continue with fewer staff members then we already have? These are management nightmares at best & since the problem is theirs, it needs to be resolved by them.
Furloughs & pay cuts should not be considered options. The union & Regents need to negotiate other options such as mentioned by everyone else who is unhappy with the salaries of the high-ups. Let's negotiate layoffs, then management will be stuck with the daunting task of how the hell they will run an efficient operation with a less than skeletal crew. The University would be thrown into a tailspin if the decision was made to resort to layoffs. Call their bluff, let's agree to layoffs according to hire date, then it's up to management to do the dirty deed (if it event comes to that).
We only have the union as our voice, people. We should back them 100%, they are our legal representatives & we have no choice but to let the union do our negotiating.
Certainly, with all those high paid brains, someone can come up with a solution that's better than causing chaos in every workplace on campus.
Candace Claar
UCSD
Furlough is much better than layoffs! Yes, we would all like thr furlough to not hapene, but these are tough times for everyone. The city of Santa Cruz is now only working a four day work wee on their furlogh. Many private comapnies are cutting pay - my husband took a 15% pay cut this year and reduced hours. It is unfair for teh union to fight this. I am union represented and support the furlough.
I have been disappointed in this union for years. Even the last cost of living raises did not increase pay at all steps (at least in AAIII) but moved people up a step and a half in the course of three years, while keeping the pay structure unchanged. I have no faith that there will be any progress with CUE as our union. This pay cut brings us back about ten years in terms of salary!!
Quite unfair, AFSME and nurses had a raise, we haven't had ours and now furlough? Remember not all of us is paid by the STATE,we are Medical Center.
I think we should let layoffs happen. My wife and I both work for UC Davis, and we will be broke when they furloughs hit both of us. IF we cut the salaries now, they will stay there forever, because that is how Yudof works. Lets trim the fat in terms of positions (this will for the campuses to really look at campus need versus want). I think the only way the UC's will move forward in the future is if we cut positions now. I also think there needs to be a way for us all to vote Yudof out of his seat.
I pay into CUE, but am not a voting member. Respectfully I have to say please be expeditious with what ever you decide; I can't afford the cuts, but more than that I can't afford to lose my job. Do we really have a say here? The State is in trouble therefore the campus is in trouble no matter how we look at it. If UCR has money like you said in your last message, and they are still doing this to us, I wouldn't want to work for crooks, although I really don't think they are. Please make the right choice, your making it for all our livelyhoods. Sincerley, Pam
Does it really matter what we think or how we feel? It doesn't matter what CUE or anyone says. They will do what they "have" to do.
This here is just for people to waste their time and maybe helps them to feel better that they are venting. It still won't change what is planned.
In the latest proposal, faculty still get their merit increases in the 2009-10 academic year. As mentioned before, higher management received increases last Spring. Get rid of these increases and then maybe I will take a furlough. I come from the lowest paid campus for CX employees. The furloughs make it much harder to live from day to day.
To Candace Claar:
I'm going to jump to the conclusion that you are an employee with some seniority and that's the reason you want lay offs to happen because you won't be effected. We can all complain that UC should dip into the reserve and cut the higher ups' salary and etc. but we all know that they won't do that. I NEED MY JOB with UC and plan to stay until I retire. This is a temporary situation and I'm sure CUE can bargain that we receive a pay increase once this situation has been resolved.
I was just informed that the percentage paycuts will reflect full FTE salaries, even if the staff member is only part time. This is atrocious and must be addressed immediately before these cuts are negotiated. Please look into this further on behalf of all your members.
Sincerley,
Paget Harris
It's interesting that the discourse here centers around two, and only two, choices : 1) Give in to the administration's furlough proposal, and face the possibility of not being able to make rent or 2) Resist it with every fiber of our being, and face layoffs.
Perhaps we should pursue a middle ground : mitigate the furloughs. Bargain the UC down to 1/2 of the proposed furlough/paycut.
I don't want to see anyone laid off, if we can help it. On the other hand, just rolling over and accepting what Nice Master gives us strikes me as unbelievably stupid and foolishly trusting.
LISTEN PEOPLE! I WAS TOLD BY A RELIABLE SOURCE THAT LAY-OFFS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN EITHER WAY. EVEN AFTER THE PERPOSED FURLOUGH DAY’S THE BUDGET IS STILL LARGELY IN DEFACIT. PHAZE ONE IS THE FURLOUGH. PHAZE TWO IS LAY-OFFS AND THIS WILL BEGIN TO HAPPEN BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. SO BY JUST EXCEPTING WHAT EVER THE UC OFFERS IS (IN MY OPENION) NOT THE WAY TO GO. GIVE CUE A BREAK MAYBE THEY CAN NEGOCIATE SOME GOOD HERE. IN MY DEPARTMENT I WILL BE THE FIRST LAIED OFF IF/WHEN THIS HAPPENS SO PERSONALLY I’M HOPPING CUE CAN DO SOME GOOD HERE.
I wonder if our earned service hours and benefit will remain the same when the furlough plan takes in effect in September. It would be great if our vacation and sick days will stay the same even though we are working less days and receiving less pay due to the budget cut. We like to keep our jobs and will go along with the furlough plan. Please do what you can to save our benefits, but don’t cause us to get laid off. Please keep us updated. Thank you.
I wonder if our earned service hours and benefit will remain the same when the furlough plan takes in effect in September. It would be great if our vacation and sick days will stay the same even though we are working less days and receiving less pay due to the budget cut. We like to keep our jobs and will go along with the furlough plan. Please do what you can to save our benefits, but don’t cause us to get laid off. Please keep us updated. Thank you.
Layoffs are going to happen (are already happening) across the UC system. The furlough plan only mitigates a portion of the deficit UC is facing. For example, on the Berkeley campus departments are being told to make cuts in their operational budgets ranging from 27% to 13%. While the salary savings from furloughs will save some jobs, the only way departments are going to be able to implement their mandated cuts is by closing programs. When programs go, so do the associated jobs.
The hope, then, is that furloughs will save some jobs.
In the meantime, I would really like to hear from CUE's statewide office. I attended a local membership meeting yesterday and they had no idea what statewide was planning to do regarding negotiations around Yudof's plan.
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/regents/regmeet/jul09/j2.pdf
This link will show you what the details are regarding the furloughs. Pension and vacation/ sick time accrual will be calculated at your pre-furlough salary rate.
This isnt the first time the UC sytem has had to do pay cuts.
Although it severely hurts each and everyone of us--unemployment will hurt much worse for us.
Whispers are already going around of Univ layoffs if this doesnt go thru---lets not go there people!
I personally really need my job.
Every crisis is also a moment of opportunity.
Furloughs would mean that you get more of what so many of us lack: time. Time for yourselves, time for family, time for your community. Unless your job fits your talents to the tee, I think we can all use more time to use our talents in ways that the 40+ hr work/commute time-suck simply does not allow. As long as you don't get pay cuts and more work, or worse, don't lose A job, take the furlough and take them gladly. Use them to the fullest advantage for the benefit of yourselves, your families, your community and ironically, your workplace!!
I agree that pay cuts should be administered across the board. This is a public health institution after all, its goals and work are essentially altruistic. We shouldn't just have our needs in mind, but that of the greater community that depend on us for their very health.
Unless, this institution is really just a jumping board for the billion dollar corporate pharmaceutical industry and ego-elevation...hmm...well, then it's just plain economics of the corpotocracy and the money-makers must butter up the up-and-coming money makers in order to get incentivized to make more billions OFF public health and not necessarily FOR it.
It's time for all of us to become TIME RICH and furloughs can be an effective way to relieve what American workers are truly suffering from: TIME POVERTY.
I really hope that the unions will agree to the furloughs, I don't want to get laid off!
Layoffs and unfilled positions have already happened, at least in my department. We are falling further and further behind, with no relief in site. And if these furloughs don't do through, you can bet that my department will make more cuts to personnel.
C.
lets all strike
Leave things alone. I would rather have furloughs than take a chance of loosing my job.
I went to the CUE meeting at the library yesterday along with three of my colleagues for the first time (I am a newer employee), and I was speechless.
We were expecting at least some level of seriousness, professionalism, and ability to set a constructive tone for the discussion but found very little, if any of that.
This type of representation is far below what any of us expected from a union leadership team. We left with so many doubts about their ability to represent a collective interest.
The anger and frustration at the cutbacks is understandable, and I feel the same way as well. I am all for organized labor action, but it is hard to take any options seriously with the leadership we saw yesterday.
Other people that were there seemed to be turned off also.
To Toby:
That's because our CUE reps don't have their jobs on the line. So why would they take it seriously. They get our dues whether we want to give them or not.
Tried to post 4 times to no avail. Wanted to add my 2 cents that I am for the furloughs to help save 450 staff jobs at UCB. When will CUE ask it's members to vote on their support of the furloughs or not?
I don't believe CUE has the clout to force UC to use it's rainy day savings.
Why didn't we protest in all campuses, at the same time, months ago?
Billie Jo
Is it possible to oust a union?? If so, sign me up!
UCSD
I joined the UC system two years ago and took a 5% cut in salary from what I was earning in the private sector. I was not used to paying for parking but thought it was a necessary evil to have the job I thought would provide me with growth and development opportunities. I am coming up on my second review cycle and again will not get a raise. Instead with the furloughs I will be earning what I earned 5 years ago. I know the job market is tough but I am wondering why I work here.
i don't like the furloughs but i preffer it to getting the pink slip any time. Especially at this moment, so please think about this before you don't agree. Just remember the unions in chicago. Members agreed, the union didnt and the employees got the slip.
thanks, veronica
someone wrote: That's because our CUE reps don't have their jobs on the line. So why would they take it seriously. They get our dues whether we want to give them or not.
Well that is just silly. All our CUE reps are also clerical workers at UC and are subject to the same contract as we are. They have no special protections in terms of layoffs. Article 13 applies to us all.
Can we think on our own here? Why would any of us want to accept the "options" laid out by The Regents? Pay cuts, furloughs and lay off shouldn't be options. CUE will negotiate on OUR behalf - because they're are our exclusive representative. Negotiations are just that, 2 parties sit down to DISCUSS the issues and guess what? It's required that both parties agree on the issues. It's a contract folks! Both parties compromise alittle, both parties agree and then sign on the dotted line. It's not all just about CUE, it's about coming up with an agreement. Unions don't hold us back from raises and benefits, it's the employer!!! We all need to get behind CUE now, even if you're mad as hell and quite possibly - more scared then mad.
Sheesh, why are we already talking about the layoffs and paycuts?
Candace Claar
UCSD
CUE,
I pay dues every month. I don't feel very represented as clerical workers in the UC system cannot seem to get paid at parity with other academic institutions or the private sector.
Let's see, at the moment I am forced to pay dues, I do work outside my job description for 28% less than my counterparts , I cannot get enough time off to go to a CUE meeting because getting across campus, attending the meeting and getting back takes longer than my one hour lunch hour. I pay the same amount for parking as someone making 100k annually, there are no programs or mentoring to move up in the system - what am I paying for? I don't even know who my representative IS and I've worked for UC for 3 years.
I cannot afford a layoff, I can barely afford the 4% which seems so little to most of the employees in my office but represents a mortgage payment for me. My family lives hand to mouth now, without a job I have no other option than to go on welfare. Taxes will go up to pay for people added to the welfare rolls. My house will go into foreclosure and banks will absorb the cost by passing those lost homes/revenue onto those who still have jobs. It's short-sighted to think that layoffs save the money in the long run.
Represent me by going with the furloughs. Prove to me that the amount of money I'm forced to give is worth something.
The suggested tier percentage cuts seem fair to those making $100,000 to $400,000 because they can financially ride the tide but for those making $46,000 or less is completely devastating? How many upper management live from pay day to pay day? How many are struggling on one paycheck because a spouse has lost their job? How many lost their modest homes, their compact cars, are forced to choose between paying utility bills or put food on the table? Equal?
I have little sympathy nor do I see the need for Vice Chancellors who over sees the Associate Vice Chancellors who oversees the Assistant Vice Chancellors who oversees the Directors who oversees the Associate Directors who oversees the Assistant Directors who oversees the MSOs who oversees the Office Managers who oversees the AAs. Corporate profit is hardly obtained on such in your face abuse.
Trim the upper management fat first before cutting the heart out of an AA. I say when I am truly considered valued for my dedication and hard work with equal consideration and consistency granted to upper management, only then would I consider to feel the pain of a pay cut. Otherwise...
CUE say NO to pay cuts and furloughs and insist our message is that the UCs trim the top heavy upper management free ride fat!
Yudoff is requesting all UC faculty, management and staff equally feel the pain in these extremely tough times yet faculty are still scheduled to receive their merits come November. You call that equal? When were AAs ever looked upon as equal except during political moves to appease the CA Legislators for more tax money?
When the money’s flowing do AAs receive the same kind of consideration that upper management and faculty received during contract negotiation? Hardly. We are not considered equal until pay cuts and furloughs are on the political negotiation table and we are the ones that suffer the most. There’s no equality being practiced here.
We may not be able to strike but we sure can help the university feel the effects of the Blue Flu. Lay off one and I believe there will be an epidemic of Blue Flu statewide.
By the way, I just mailed off the necessary form to officially join CUE.
I would rather have furloughs than not have a job. At this point in time, we don't have very many options. I know the situation isn't what it should be. During this economic crisis, I would much rather have a job than be unemployed.
Does I House included in these furlough, pay cuts? I House is a nonprofit institution.
So, I House monies come from private funding.RIGHT? So why are they talking about layoff, pay-cuts ?
Where is the monies going if I House does have cuts….
Is it monkey see monkey do?
I'm for furloughs rather than layoffs. I would like not to belong to a union. It's time is long past. Look at our American car manufacturers. That's where we are going.
Frankly, it's just ignorant to compare UC to the automakers, and CUE to the UAW. For one thing, CUE hasn't a fraction of the clout the UAW does; just look at our contracts and tell me where you see that we have anything like the pay that auto workers had, never mind the fringe benefits. The time for unions will be past once employers have all become altruists.
I can't believe how many people I'm seeing on here advocating that we just bend over for the administration, either. You say you want to avoid layoffs, and would rather have furloughs; so would I. But ask yourselves : what's to prevent the administration from implementing layoffs anyway, another 6 months down the line? This is why we need to negotiate a lower rate of pay cuts and get a pledge of non-resort to layoffs written into the contract rather than just saying "Yes, yes, UC, anything you say as long as you (sob) let me (sob) KEEP MY JOB!"
I-House funding may be private, but if their endowments are in some sort of money market or other stock/quasi-stock funds, then they've lost capital over the last year, and hence the interest income that they rely on for operations.
palaeologos,
I am a dues-paying member of CUE, have been since day one (and of AFSCME before that). I am exceeding frustrated that we have heard nothing from CUE since the vote at the Regents meeting on July 17 (I have sent emails to the Statewide offices as well as members of the Executive Board asking for information to share with coworkers). I attended the general membership meeting on July 16 and none of the attending Local #3 officers had any information from the folks at Statewide office.
Workers are afraid and have no sense that the Union is actively working to save jobs.
We need to hear from them sooner rather than later or I'm afraid it will be the end of our union (which is really what UC wants most of all)
It is hard as it is! We have children that depend on our daily effort and work to bring home the daily bread. FURLOUGHS,PAY CUTS won't solve the matter! Why us as we work hard for what we have achieved and try with our education day after day to progress in life with a fair education. We pay our taxes now this? What are we really heading too?????
when are your negotiations for a contract going to close? we're coming up on a year here guys
Regardless, I feel in some way we are going to get smacked with furloughs, especially now that they declared the "state of emergency". I really think we should consider the furloughs, we will lose people if we don't.
I'm thinking about everyone, not just myself. If we opt out and not recieve pay cuts or furloughs, more people lose their jobs. And the ones who get their pay AND keep their job, will get more work. So which is really fair? We're still going to lose no matter what we choose.
I think we all need to take a hit, some more then others. At this point, I would rather everyone sacrifice their part so that we save jobs and not make situations worse off then they could be.
"Do the most good for the most people". Screw salary cuts and furloughs. The university won't be laying off anyone. This is a smoke and mirrors strategy on Yudof's part. Yeah times are tough, but no one is wants to accept any of these options. CUE, call the Regents' bluff on this one.
I have a problem with the wording of this and want to be sure I'm understanding it correctly.
Basically they are going to cut our pay 6% (in my case) and then we will have a bank of 16 furlough days to take off. The problem with this is my actual hourly wage is being cut instead of just not getting paid for one day. This is a problem when I work overtime. To make it simple lets say I make $10.00 per hour. I take a 6% pay cut, I'm now only making $9.40 per hour. When I work overtime, instead of earning $15.00 per hour I am now only earning $14.10. Now I am being cut again.
Am I understanding this correctly?
You guys lets look at the facts. Everyone is taking furloughs, the post office, the courts...we are no exception. Sooner or later whether we fight this or not, we'll get hit with furloughs. And I guarantee that if we fight this, they will lay off people AND we'll go on furloughs someway or another..
Now on the other hand I'll have to admit, I'm really frustrated with the union because I attend the once a month meetings and sometimes I feel like they have no idea whats going on or we're not fighting hard enough. I don't have a sense of comfort that my job and the other CUE members jobs are being fought for hard enough. But that's my own personal opining.
I really think we should take the furloughs ... but only if they promise to bring us back up after this budget crisis is over.
Anyone who makes under 60k should'nt have to take a pay cut. Its not a livable salary in this town anyway.
If taking furloughs would help someone for losing their job, i would take furlough.
I suggest we agree to the Furloughs, I have two small children to raise and to the looks of it this economy is going to take awhile to recover; what that means is....NO jobs elsewhere unless you want to wear an apron and work at McDonalds or Starbucks. With that being said I hope those of you who are against the Furlough realize you have no choice unless you have $1000.00's of dollars sitting somewhere in a Foreign country for you to live on which I don't think so. Use common sense, we need our jobs!
I feel that the University is not going to negotiate long with Unions in regards to our current situation. I believe that it would be more beneficial for more if we accepted the j2 proposal. The University's only tool if our union does not accept the proposal is lay-offs or rotating lay-offs. Please accept the University's proposal. I rather share in the pay cuts than loose my job.
It amazes me how some of the people posting on here seem to feel that the institution who we chose to seek employment with is some evil entity who is out to get us. I for one am proud to call myself a UC staff member. Given the current situation our state is in I find the J2 proposal quite fair. I understand the concern that we might not get the salary reduction back after the crisis is over so why can't CUE ask that it be contracted that we get that percentage of salary and something extra back by a date agreed upon by both CUE and the Regents?
PS - I really am a UC staff member and not a Regents big wig in disguise. Quit being so paranoid.
I prefer furloughs
I honestly believe, they should really investigate, at all position levels, people who just come to work and heat up their seats, and enjoys a good salary, while others who really make UCSD going are penalized. These are holes in the system for having unnecesary staff and spending money into these salaries. Hard working employees shouldn't be impacted.
Plus, as we all know, these are nonrestricted funds.
I really think that CUE should seriously evaluate the decision and stance that it is taking. Please remember if we are laid off then that means that you also will not have a job. I would rather be furloughed than to take up to a 20%reduction which would effect my retirement and benefits. Please consider the people that you represent not just your personal gain which will eventually be your loss.
strike strike strike
Strike, Strike, Strike if not CUE will never be taken seriously...
it's about time we do something
I think we should take the furloughs. It is base on what you make a year. That is how the percentage of time that you are to take off. It also depends what department you work with on how the furloughs would be taken. This is a statewide crisis that budget cuts and furloughs are given. People who work for the county and state are already taking furloughs. Furloughs are better than not having a job. The job market is so hard right now. People depend on the job that they have now. Some of are one income households with family. So striking and holding off only makes matters worst for us who have nothing else or no one else to depend on but ourselves to support our families. I rather take a cut in my salary and furlough days so that i can say I have a job and I know that I will have a paycheck to buy food and feed my family.
http://www.upte.org/about/press/2009-07-23.pdf
Take the furloughs but make UC agree in writing to end them after one year. Otherwise the "emergency" situation will be extended forever. Also, if it's such an "emergency," make UC use their reserve funds!
Why was this blog set up?
We are still waiting for CUE's report on the negotiation meetings.
We feel like we have been hung out to dry.
Let me direct your attention to this : http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/06/BASG194N2P.DTL&tsp=1
CUE's answer to the request for pay cuts and furloughs should be, not just "no," but "Hell, no!"
I wish I could do something about these cuts. I am on the low end of the pay scale and will feel the affects of the pay cut. I get angry every time I hear about the fat cats getting stipends and their pay cut will not affect their living at all. Don't the higher-ups know that this will hurt the economy even more? I and others will not be able to afford going out as much and otherwise stimulating the economy. When did they think that there are no consequences to any of this?
What ever decisions the CUE makes, should benefit all. We are in a difficult situation. No one likes pay cuts but it's better than lay offs. Please don't make a mistake. Everyone has to pay the bills, so that means ON ONE should be laid off. I VOTE FOR FORLOUGHS RATHER THAN LAY OFFS" Take it seriously.
CUE is absolutely worthless. We all need to have our fair share go to a charities instead of these A#$ Clowns....
According to Leland Yee from the NEWS, UC is having moral corruptions over us, feeding the BIG FAT CATS with 22% raise from our starving children and staff. This should be STOP and STRIKE like
the BART employees!
CUE barging report says nothing about pay raises and more than likely we will get furloughed. If this happens we need to get rid of CUE this union is totally incompetent. We need to start by having our money go to a charity and then we need to vote to de-certify this union.
Question for CUE... If we get furloughed will we have to continue paying union fees...
FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW:
There's a RALLY & PRESS CONFERENCE
today @ Noon in front of 513 Parnassus; also VOTE of NO CONFIDENCE for Yudorf @ Cafeteria
for today from 7AM-10PM & tomorrow
from 7AM-5PM, held by 6 UNIONS, pls. check NEWS under CUE website for other UC schedulings. Thanks!
CUE, WE NEED AN UPDATE ON THE MEETING WITH THE REGENTS SCHEDULE FOR 8/28.
It's my understanding that now that CUE has refused to bargain with UC on the furloughs that we are now in danger of being handed layoff notices. THANKS CUE!! I'm SOO happy that my union dues are being put to good use!! My three hungry children thank you too!!
UC is unwilling to guarantee that layoffs will not happen if we accept the plan; would you rather have your pay cut and then receive unemployment benefits based on your cut pay rather than your full pay?
Nobody wants layoffs or pay cuts. I'm not happy with pay cuts, but I'd be willing to accept them if the administration will guarantee that they won't lay off represented workers. If they can't guarantee that, then how is it to our benefit to agree to the cuts?
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