I vote NO to accepting the Regents' proposals for furloughs and pay cuts. It's bad enough not getting a pay raise once a year like most other San Franciscans. I'm trying to raise my 2 kids on my own without child support or alimony and so far so good on my small take home pay. Reducing it by just $200 per month means giving up nearly half my food budget or MUNI fast passes. What am I supposed to do besides look for work elsewhere?? I love my job and the team I work with and am grateful to be here, really. I accept being paid less than private industry workers in exchange for all the benefits I receive. I can’t live on less though... Tina
You know, the regents will just cut our appointments by the same amount as the furlough time, if we don't take their plan. And we will lose vacation/sick and retirement benefits. Or, they will continue to cut jobs. There have been lots of layoffs already and I don't want to be one.
It will be very difficult for people to manage, but it is better to still have a job, then to not have one at all. Especially in this economy.
At least, with the furloughs, we get a day off for losing the pay. And we will still have all of holidays paid. At this time, taking the furloughs is the only way to keep more people in their jobs.
I would prefer CUE stay out of this and let the UC Regents do what they need to do. If you fight this, we will all be laid off, paid out and basically left to hang. I would get out of this union if I could. A pay cut and some furlough days off are much better than losing our jobs and good luck trying to find another one!! Please work this out with the Regents and lets move on!!!
I worry about the proposed furloughs and pay cuts; however, I would much rather have to find a way to deal with a pay cut then be laid off. We need to be thankful we still have the benefits we do.
Im with you C. I say take the furloughs. I dont want to lose my job. Its better to have a job than not have one at all. The president stated that if the unions do not take the furloughs that there will be layoff. Lets accept the furloughs and enjoy the extra time off we will get.
You need to bargain for automatic annual cost-of-living increases to all steps for every CX-represented title code. To heck with "merits" - UC never gives those anyway! You also need to adopt a policy to encourage managers to give more than 1-step increases! I've been told time & again that "the union" prohibits more than a one step increase.
I dont agree with the cut at all but, I understand we are basically going to have take a furlough or pay cut regardless or what is the other option? Being laid off & I am sorry I would rather take a furlough day then lose my job & benefits all together. I just dont feel it is fair that they are going to cut our pay whether it is a furlough day or a plain cut & not give us the option of when we can take our furlogh day.....??
Like Tina said I'm a single mother and make 2,300 my mortgate 2600.00 I'm getting readdy to scream on the other hand I still have a job and cutting corners ans not buying unnecessary things will help me. I aslo pray.
We either take the furloughs or we lose our jobs...I am willing to furlough even though it will be a strain on our family, but losing my health benefits and my job would be far worse.
I agree with everyone who has voiced their opinion that CUE needs to step down. I am all for trying to protect union workers, but if CUE attempts to dodge these furloughs we might all find ourselves living in a cardboard box.
Do I want to take unpaid days off? No. Would I rather work the same number of hours and take a pay-cut? DEFINITELY NOT.
There is no ideal solution to this. An 8% reduction in salary is better than a 100% reduction in salary.
I think everyone here is missing a very important point WE DO THE WORK!!! I dont know how much he makes, but I would be he makes 20 at least 20 times what I do when his bonuses and whatnot are figured in. Does he work 20 times harder than I do? If he lays me off, is he going to make sure the invoices get paid? NO. Yes I hear the concerns about being laid off if we dont take the furlough--but it never should have come to that. Our department just spent 25,000 in a new conference table (the "old" one worked just fine) and $250,000 on new chairs (no one had trouble sitting in the old ones). It is about having a say in our futures. If we do not send a message now, then when will we do it?
I agree with those who say "CUE stay out of it!" I would rather have a job with pay cuts than no job.
I would get out of this union if I could. I just hope you listen and work this out with the Regents. Please, please, do not blow it. So many of us depend upon our jobs.
I agree with the comment about having CUE stay out of it this go around...I like my job, I like my benefits and I don't think CUE should sacrifice our stability by "negotiating" the furloughs...agree to the furloughs before we are all unemployed.
I can't believe that we are all standing here somehow dumbfounded that there are going to be pay cuts. I think we all need a reality check. The economy is in shambles and we as University employees are not immune. Do I want a pay cut? no. However, if I have to choose between watching a peer loose their jobs or take a 4% furlough. I, without a moment of hesitation say take the furlough. We are all extremely lucky to work for an organization that gives us full benefits, comprehensive retirement and actually cares to ask us what are opinions are about pay cuts. I hate that our union is spreading propagandist rhetoric about millions of dollars the University is somehow hiding from us. The University isn't some evil big box corporation that takes pleasure in hurting their employees. I agree that our wages are not always comparable for the work that we do, but these are not exactly times to be living high on hog. It's going to hurt us all, but not as much as it will those that will loose their jobs if we don't follow status quo and take the furloughs.
I agree with the others. I would rather have furlough days than to not have a job at all. I hope that the union will do what it can to come to a agreement with Regents so that we as employees can move on.
You may demand that executives' pay be cut, or at least disclosed, but I'm sure they will make good on their threat to lay off staff if we don't accept the furloughs.
One Furlough day a month is still better than alternatives. I have friends who are going to be homeless because they can not find work and the unemployment is running out. Watch out when the economy recovers though, because the UC system is so far below what the same jobs pay in the private sector that the benefits will no longer be enough of an incentive to stay.
Oh, absolutely, I think we should just roll over and play dead. And while we are at it, we can also thank UC for all the abuse they can heap on us. "More, please..."
Most of us are already on a tight budget due to the "generosity" of the UC system; what are we to do now? I pity the single parents out there, those with ongoing medical problems and those whose spouse has been laid off... Pitch a tent, perhaps, at 160 Woodmont Way?
I agree with all those who have suggested that CUE step down. They have never been much help and in this case they may do more harm than good. I personally would rather keep my job and have the furlough days than lose my job AND benefits. Let it go, CUE!
I vote for keeping my job cue, and happily taking the furlough option. You will accomplish nothing if you balk at the bargaining table and defeat the purpose if cue employees lose their jobs.
Go with the UC Regents Plan. Our jobs, benefits and retirement may be at stake. The State of California has to make cuts somewhere. This proposal seems fair and equitable as tiered. Vote YES on the proposed UC plan. CUE member.
I agree with noodlenoggins!!!! YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! EVERYONE ELSE DON'T HAVE A BACKBONE. I WORK HARD FOR THIS COMPANY ALSO. I WILL DO FURLOUGH IF THAT'S WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO. I THINK CUE AND EVERY OTHER UNIONS NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. UC HAVE MONEY THEY WASTE IT ON EXECUTIVES AND BS! FIGHT FOR US CUE IT'S NOT FAIR
I can't agree more with most of the comments on here- I would rather keep my job and have the furlogh. Let's work with the Regents on this one, CUE. We've argued everything else for a year. I know it is not ideal and Senior Level Managers don't do the work we do but suck it up- a fight on this could hurt us more than help us and my family depends on my paycheck.
+1 with furlough over potentially being laid off. I like my benefits and they are not being affected--just the unpaid days off. The world is not perfect and these are even more imperfect times. I hope CUE does not drag this out and threaten any of its members' futures.
I agree with the majority of the comments above. CUE, please don't fight this. I do not want to be furloughed, but will gladly step up and make that sacrifice to make sure myself, and my fellow union members, are not laid off.
There will be other worthy fights in the future, please please realize this is not a fight worth fighting.
pay cuts/layoff weren't the last thing they considered....it was the FIRST thing. Of course true fiscal responsibility is not on the menu (see my earlier post for an example). It is an easy solution for them to simply cut wages or the workforce-- it serves a double purpose....it reduces costs and scares the survivors into working more. and three words for all of those advocating the union step aside "BAAA BAAA BAAA..."
I don't like the furlough plan. I don't want to lose my job. I will have to file BK now becuase my pay reduction WILL affect my financial situation at home. I don't care about retirement or benefits because what I need now is income. CUE please help us to make sure we get our pay back in place after this 12 month cancer. I am going to look for another employer in the mean time, but I would hate to leave a good department.
CUE stay out of it! !!! They haven't benefited us in yrs. I say give us back our union fees (the fees I don't want to pay but am forced to pay). CUE can fight and complain but like we have seen in the past CUE only hurts us and UC will do what they want to do. We all need our jobs.
I thought they were talking about doing both; salary reductuctions (sliding scale) and furlough days. Does your HR dept keep you informed? Mine does not and in the past has not been well informed themselves.
all of us are blessed to have a job. Furlough is not so bad, we not only get to keep our job and benefits but also, we can help prevent lay offs and rebuild uc's revenue. Let's just deal with it for a year. :-)
Well I think the union should agree to the budget cut for now, I am sure none of us would want layoffs...but inturn the union should get something in writing from the regents that next year when the budget cut ends--we would get our share back with an extra 4%raise and to assure that there will be no layoffs in the coming years and no salary cuts, no matter what...well to hell with these budget issues--where is the all the money though? Its so damm frustrating, this is what we get for the all the hard work we do, and these higher ups get a good share just for warming up the seats, why just they don't freeze their own salaries, why doesn't Yudof get a pay reduction by 50%..5% or few furlough days is nothing for him.
I would much rather take a day a month off than lose my job forever. Make up for it by cutting back things you really dont need or use at home. Look at it as a mini vacation every month, it wont be so bad. Given a choice we all wouldnt want this, but we dont have a choice and need to make the best of it.
Nobody is happy with the budget situation; however, it's not as though we can just quit our jobs and find something else--the jobs aren't out there for the taking. I'm more than willing to take the furlough; at least I would still have a job and benefits. Right now I'm supporting a family of 4 on my measly salary but it's better than nothing. Also remember that our vacation and sick leave will not be affected, so that's a huge plus. I'm with a lot of people here...CUE--stay out of it.
Are we ever going to reach a contract agreement? Or is bargaining completely off the table? I wish we would have just settled instead of now having to take a pay cut/furloughs. I'm living pay check to paycheck as it is. This union has no clout. We could have negotiated smaller and at least have something. Now we haven't had a raise in over a year and we get a decrease in pay to boot. Thanks CUE!
I have nothing to cut back on...now it my mortage that wont be paid...But I would rather have a job than unemployed. Sty aout CUE as you have been fighting for years and gained nothing. C
The mantra"do more with less" is permeating the lives of all of us both at work and at home. The last child at home has one more semester to finsh and just brought home the tuition bill- 20% increase from the last semester. I bring home the furlough and pay reduction subject to a spouse who is out of work and we all look at each other and say "what next?" Will my union do right by me so I can do right by my child? What has the union done for me when negotiations drag on forever. There is no such thing as pay for perfomance, just wait for the union to do what's right. It's a good thing I like what I do for the faculty, residents and students, and I would like to keep doing it. Education is not like private industry, I accept that; however the current proposal is unacceptable. There must be some additional consideration for BOTH furloughs and paycuts. Continue to find a resolution without giving it all away.
You complainers, if you attended the CUE meetings, would be a much stronger force to deal with. At least, prehaps, may have had a better bargaining chip to negotiate with. You need to show up and participate and not sit back, complain and point fingers. Come in and voice your thoughts and talents. We really need you. All of you CUE workers.
IM MAD I HAVE 3 KIDS AND 1 ON THE WAY AND IM ALREADY BARELY MAKING IT. HOW WILL I PAY FOR CHILDCARE NOW.I ALSO TRAVEL 2 BRIDGES TO GET TO WORK WHATS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE THE HIGHER UPS ARENT EVEN GONNA FEEL THIS PAY CUT TAKE THEIR BONUSES AWAY THAT SHOULD MAKE UP FOR THIS PROBLEM.WE DIDNT GET A RAISE LAST YEAR OR THIS YEAR.WE SHOULD FIGHT TO THE END.GO CUE
Just make sure all this information to be presented to administrators that are making the decisions about the budget. Just to send us emails and to write on blogs it doesn't help. Please send all your emails about the budget to the regents and please send us their answer of your emails. Is it true that there are billions on reserve? We want to know their answer. Thanks
I agree with the people who are saying CUE to go with what the Regents are proposing. Do not wait it out until October to decide. Make it effective 9/1/09. If you wait it out there will be alot of layoffs. A furlough day is better than being in the unemployment line and a welcome break. I'm anxiously waiting for the day I am out of this union.
I agree to the last one, every time they hit us with low salaries and cuts we have to thanks them and kiss their hands so they can continue again and again. I not think so if we not express that we care they going to continue. I'm low pay and thanks God I have a job but I have pride I'm sick and tire to be mentally abuse and repress with the lay off if we works together we can make the difference, this is not the first time for me. But looks like every one is scare and give up. good luck to all the bad part is we in the same boat I wish we are strong. I not agree with any cut . I commute and pay for gas increases beside the extra time I spend in the route and is not for choice is because I can't afford to live close to work how I can look for a second job to save my home if I spend 11 between work and commuting.
For less than a dollar a month any CX member can be a CUE voting member. SO if you want to have your voice heard, pay the extra dollar and cast your vote. Its not about CUE staying out of it and letting the Regents have thier way. WE are CUE and if thats the way you want it then vote on it.
I LOVE MY JOB!!!!! I hate to lose my job, i would rather take the furlough that to be cut all together. I have four kids and a husband that is working part-time, we can not afford for me to be out of work.
I still say fight for what is right! We deserve better.
I agree with a lot of the comments, they need to cut the big wigs pay and leave us little wigs alone. Why don't we suggest they pay our small mortgages and rent instead of the them paying the big wigs and they would save money that way.....Hey it's just a thought!
CUE make sure the Regents know we are calling for the lay off ALL the temps, limited, and retirees. They also drain our budget. I can't believe the Regents agreed to a salary reduction on earnings of $40K or less. That is very wrong. LM.
I would rather UC take away 1 day out of the month than cut my salary and work for it. I am also a single parent and supporting my household but I don't understand the ignorance - CUE has not been able to obtain a raise - they can't do anything and honestly the economy is bad and it's politics - you could never win against that. I am upset about the whole situation. CUE stay out of it.
Reality is we are going to have to take what they are giving us because of the current economic situation but there are other things that need to be considered also ... 1. If one has some sort of productivity goal tied to their job performance reviews (e.g. Produce 100 widgits per week) and you are you are being forced to cut your work back a certain percentage, say 5% as an example. Has your productivity goal been adjusted accordingly? 5% reduction means only produce 95 widgits per week. Or will you be unfavorably reviewed for not meeting the goal 100 per week? Or more importantly, where things are not so clearly defined, and in general, "X" amount of work is not getting done because your not there to do it, will you be reviewed poorly. Are we going to be expected to work on our "furlough" days just as some of our bosses will certainly be to get their jobs done. 2. What happens with the in the other union jobs, like the nurses, where there are state mandated minimum staffing requirements? How will the Med Centers furlough the nurses but still meet those requirements? 3. How are we going to retain our medical doctors, who are key to making UCLA and the other hospitals, world class and nationally recognized, when they already get paid SUBSTANTIALLY less then they would in the private sector? 3. What are the Regents going to do about making sure that this will only be for 1 year as they say? What happens if the economy doesn't turn around? I think all the unions need to work together and make sure these and other issues are addressed and continue to fight for bigger cuts at the top, reduction of perks, and suspension of building projects until this crisis is passed. SM
I say that we should take the fuloughs and pay cuts at least we still have a job. I need my job in order stay above water. If you fight the Regents' on this there will be no other option but to layoff people and they will start with the unions that are fighting them. At least right now we have benefits, if we are layoff there would be nothing.
What if all of the UC unions demanded to do joint bargaining around the issue of furloughs/concessions? What if UC couldn't play us against each other? What if there were other creative proposals that addressed the supposed financial emergency but didn't involve a wage cut/furlough.
Do people believe that if and when we get hit with the wage cut furloughs we're not gonna get laid off too?
Blah Blah Blah come in and support the Unions come on. Are coin is supporting the union, but I never see any solidarity between any of the other unions hell, the protests are pitiful. Laughable especially to the regents. People don't care about Clerks.
Please do not fight this CUE! We need our jobs. Of course we don't like the idea of getting pay cuts, but it's better than lay offs. We all need our jobs and benefits. Do not put those in jeopardy! Please go along with what the Regents are recommending this time.
AFTER THE BOARD MEETING LAST NIGHT THE REGENTS ATTENDED A PARTY HELD AT THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE WHICH COST $50,000!!!!
ARE YOU STILL HAPPY WITH FURLOUGHS AND PAYCUTS AFTER HEARING THIS?????
HMMMM....
I BET MOST OF YOU NEVER ATTENDED A CUE MEETING IN YOUR LIVES AND YOU HAVE THE NERVES TO SIT BACK AND TAKE WHAT THEY ARE DISHING OUT.
I AGREE WITH EVERYONE THAT'S SUFFERING LIKE MYSELF WHO'S BARELY MAKING ENDS MEET. WE HAVE TO BE STRONG AND STICK TOGETHER AND LET THEM KNOW WE WILL NOT BACK DOWN SO EASY.
WHERE I WORK IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE TO GET LAID OFF I'M SORRY!
You know, the regents will just cut our appointments by the same amount as the furlough time, if we don't take their plan. And we will lose vacation/sick and retirement benefits. Or, they will continue to cut jobs. There have been lots of layoffs already and I don't want to be one.
It will be very difficult for people to manage, but it is better to still have a job, then to not have one at all. Especially in this economy.
At least, with the furloughs, we get a day off for losing the pay. And we will still have all of holidays paid. At this time, taking the furloughs is the only way to keep more people in their jobs."
I keep seeing mention of the 1 year timetable. Maybe it escaped your notice, but there are large deficits (It hink 300M) for next year that still have not been covered- even with the furlough. Yudof also mentioned that it would last *at least* a year. I personally think this will be extended given that the last 2 times this has happened were less severe and each lasted 3 years...The Great Depression was not over in a year and neither will this be.
This is so SAD to see most of the Cue Members are willing to let the regent do whatever they like. Look at AFSCME, they are much organized Union than CUE and they are not afraid to voice their Needs to UC!
We know they have the money to cut in other places, besides our paychecks! If they have no money why are they still building a new building. I know that a 10% decrease in the big wigs pay is nothing to them, what are they going to miss out on? A third or fourth trip of vacation? I know they can cut back on their pay more and cut back on what perks they are giving them.
Anonymous said... Blah Blah Blah come in and support the Unions come on.
I didn't say support the Unions, if your CUE, then voice your thoughts at the meetings instead of blogging. Grow a spine and fight for your job. Use CUE's backbone, firm it up, take advantage.
I want my job but I don't want a furlough. If other workers lose there jobs, so what, I have mine. That's what I am telling CUE. I'm gonna jump on CUE's backbone and tell them what I want, while you blog, blah, blah, blah. qz
Please stay out of this Cue. I rather keep my job than to be laid off. Furloughs are a small sacrifice even though it may not be far and will be hard on everyone's budget but having no job is even worse. I'd rather lose a day of pay a month than to lose a year or more of pay. I don't want a paycut either but I rather have a job. Plus other agencies are worse off than us, most of the state agencies have already been on furloughs and some are having three furloughs a month across the board no matter how much you make. At lease UC is using a graduated system which is much more fair
CUE please stay out of this!!!! Your involvement and demands can only make things worse for us at this point. These are hard times for everyone right now and the main concern should be making sure we all stay employed!!!!
CUE needs to accept this and move on. I don't like this any more than anyone else. This is really going to hurt my pocket book but I dont want to lose my job. Its better to have a job than not have one at all. We need to suck it up, accept the furloughs and enjoy the extra time off we will get.
We are lucky, we still have a job. a day off w/o pay is not that bad, it could be worse. I used to work in Whole Foods, no pay holidays, no pension, pay was way, way under market. The reality is that in this economy everyone has to sacrifice. Do you want a change?, get involved and work hard to remove republicans from office, after all they are the root of all California's problem.
AFTER THE BOARD MEETING LAST NIGHT THE REGENTS ATTENDED A PARTY HELD AT THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE WHICH COST $50,000!!!!
ARE YOU STILL HAPPY WITH FURLOUGHS AND PAYCUTS AFTER HEARING THIS?????
HMMMM....
I BET MOST OF YOU NEVER ATTENDED A CUE MEETING IN YOUR LIVES AND YOU HAVE THE NERVES TO SIT BACK AND TAKE WHAT THEY ARE DISHING OUT.
I AGREE WITH EVERYONE THAT'S SUFFERING LIKE MYSELF WHO'S BARELY MAKING ENDS MEET. WE HAVE TO BE STRONG AND STICK TOGETHER AND LET THEM KNOW WE WILL NOT BACK DOWN SO EASY.
WHERE I WORK IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE TO GET LAID OFF I'M SORRY!
First everybody needs to stop bashing our union. If you don't want to be in the union get out. There is a process, just call them and they'll tell you what you need to do. Your paying dues anyway. Besides if we lost our jobs who'd pay the dues. I'm sure we'll have some kind of vote on this. I think we are all on the same page and it would be a unanimous decision to take the 4% and furloughs. I already have a two month furlough and am one of the lowest paid employess at UCSC. Can I afford to have more loss in pay HELL NO. But I would agree to this in a second because I do not want to see any of our colleagues lose their jobs.
AFTER THE BOARD MEETING LAST NIGHT THE REGENTS ATTENDED A PARTY HELD AT THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE WHICH COST $50,000!!!!
ARE YOU STILL HAPPY WITH FURLOUGHS AND PAYCUTS AFTER HEARING THIS?????
HMMMM....
I BET MOST OF YOU NEVER ATTENDED A CUE MEETING IN YOUR LIVES AND YOU HAVE THE NERVES TO SIT BACK AND TAKE WHAT THEY ARE DISHING OUT.
I AGREE WITH EVERYONE THAT'S SUFFERING LIKE MYSELF WHO'S BARELY MAKING ENDS MEET. WE HAVE TO BE STRONG AND STICK TOGETHER AND LET THEM KNOW WE WILL NOT BACK DOWN SO EASY.
WHERE I WORK IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE TO GET LAID OFF I'M SORRY!
AFTER THE BOARD MEETING LAST NIGHT THE REGENTS ATTENDED A PARTY HELD AT THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE WHICH COST $50,000!!!!
ARE YOU STILL HAPPY WITH FURLOUGHS AND PAYCUTS AFTER HEARING THIS?????
HMMMM....
I BET MOST OF YOU NEVER ATTENDED A CUE MEETING IN YOUR LIVES AND YOU HAVE THE NERVES TO SIT BACK AND TAKE WHAT THEY ARE DISHING OUT.
I AGREE WITH EVERYONE THAT'S SUFFERING LIKE MYSELF WHO'S BARELY MAKING ENDS MEET. WE HAVE TO BE STRONG AND STICK TOGETHER AND LET THEM KNOW WE WILL NOT BACK DOWN SO EASY.
WHERE I WORK IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE TO GET LAID OFF I'M SORRY!
Why are we arguing among ourselves, when we should be voicing our concerns to the Regent's. I am a single parent, I truly can't afford to lose my job or do the furlough dance. How am I going to make it... AT
Same here I am a single mom and same situation with 2 kids and it is bad enough not getting a pay increase. I do really hope that are union will look at our best interest and votes NO on not accepting the Regents proposal. The furlough will be affecting us in more ways than what they are just making it seem.
Anonymous I want the CUE to accept the furloughs, these are very tough times for everyone and I do not see why we should be treated any different at this time from other employees that are not represented by the unions. It will only get worse and there will be layoffs for sure if we do not except the same terms as non union employees. Cue has not had great sucess with bargining in the past and lost retirement money for their employees in the past. Bottom line I would rather have my job then no job. These are tough times and they are not going to get better any time soon, we all need to face facts.
This entire proposal is absurd. I am an AA and the state pays 0% of my salary, but yet I am required to take a pay cut "because it is only fair". The state got us into this mess, they should figure out a way to get us out of it. As others have stated, state salaries are already low compared to the rest of the country, and the cost of living and state income taxes are extremely high. The cost of living continues to rise for us all. I honestly don't see how families make ends meet these days. I am single and have a difficult time. Why can't the Regents tap into the nonrestricted funds - it's only for a year.
I asked a co-worker about the Temps on campus and was told that they would stay, but I would get "priority" in hiring on campus if I lose my job here. Oh, I'll sleep much better now. Temps will keep their jobs on campus, but I'll get furloughed or let go...GO TEAM UC!!! AT
I agree, why should we get cut. I want my job and full pay. NO FURLOUGHS! Layoff those temps, retirees and limited. We don't need t hem on our campus. cx
I agree with NoodleNoggins and Diana. I don't want a paycut either, I cannot afford that but, to take a stand rather than fold to their furlough and paycut! It should not have come to this and it was not our doings and we have to pay for it...NO WAY!!!
My husband says that the state is "eating her young" - it is having problems financially, so it's coming to its "children", hoping to bail them out. I don't know what they hope to gain from reducing our pay, as it will mean less tax revenue for the state.
Having said that, I agree with most of the bloggers who say that having an unpaid day per month is better than a full month's unpaid days! Though I would like CUE to get us the best deal, you can't get blood from a turnip, and I would rather have a temporary reduction than be unemployed like so many in CA.
The UC Board of Regents got a gloomy list of options on Thursday to cover a projected $417 million gap in state funding next year, but they smiled brightly on their top administrative aide by awarding her a 26 percent pay increase of $61,000.
The raise boosted the annual salary of Secretary/Chief of Staff Diane Griffiths to $295,000 and came less than a year after she was hired.
Minutes later, the board received a dire budget report that included possible student fee increases of up to 10 percent, freezing faculty salaries and turning away as many as 5,000 eligible students this fall.
If we HAVE TO accept the furloughs and paycuts, let's do so carefully and wisely by allowing the union to negotiate some sort of guarantee or agreement that UC will not make these furloughs/cuts permanently, and will NOT make future cuts to our benefits and/or retirement.
Having been at this job for a year and seeing the benefits and that we either are given or pay very little for I personally think that it is time for some people to realize that you have it really good and stop whining. Noodlenoggins stated that her department just spent an enormous amount of money on conference room furniture. Is there an oversight committee at UC? Turn the person in that approved the unnecessary expenditure, have some kind of system that takes the monies from their salary and or bonuses. I have worked for privately owed companies and for publically held companies and can tell you for sure that this is the only place that I have ever worked that people expect holidays, raises, and benefits and then complain when they are expected to work. I am not saying that everyone is not doing their share. But Good Grief people you really do not know how good you have it. Do I want to loose 4% of my pay? NO! Do I want to take an extra unpaid day a month off? NO! Am I grateful for a job that allows me to pay my bills and have health insurance? Yes! Do I think that the cuts and furloughs are fair? Yes! If the UC system has to make cuts at least they are cutting everyone, and the more you make the more you pay. Do I see lots of waste and extravagant spending still? YES!!! The UC system is in desperate need of an oversight office and a REALITY Check. If the budget is tight you have burgers, hot dogs and sodas not wine and caviar. At no time in our lives are we guaranteed anything. It is time to work for what you want and appreciate what you have.
"Pissed Off" We get the picture ... Please stop posting that over and over.
I just had a departmental meeting this morning and we were updated on what is going on here ...
No matter what, at my campus, I will have a reduction in pay. I will either loose pay through the University Furlough plan or the University will have to reduce my hours (which CUE can do nothing about). I would rather keep my full benefits and go with the plan. CUE will most likely agree with the furloughs in the end anyway...
This is totally the time and place for a Union people, what do you think a Union is for?! We pay for it and I want to see results. I like knowing CUE can stand fast. We never get increases, parking dues have gone up, etc. My pay is peanuts and I am not willing to give up ANYTHING that I have right now!! I am not willing to succumb so fight for us CUE!!
Come on CUE, what are you doing??? TEMPS (AA, clerks, front desk) keep their jobs, while we get pay cuts furloughs and unemployment? You have got to be kidding me! You only have two choices here, lead us or get the hell out of the way! Do your homework, you have to inform us better for the amount money we all pay. You should have everything lined up and penciled in. There shouldn't be a question, that can't be answered, instead of the maybe this or maybe that!!! Are you secretly working for the Regent's? Cause you are acting like your sleeping with them (pun intended!} Just another pissed off AA
My husband was laid off in March and has no prospect of another job in sight. At least I am working (my job is our only source of income)and thankfully I am able to cover him on my insurance.
Hey, I have an idea! If you really want to help us out return a portion of our monthly dues or temporarily suspend collection until the furlough is lifted. If you are unwilling to do that, butt out.
I’m ok with the furloughs/pay reduction equivalent but the salary tiers and percentages for Union represented employees could be modified. The Cue employees do not even receive a 4% average increases; my experience over fourteen years has been an average of 2% -3% (and that includes a re-class), I have received 4% only five times during the fourteen years. I would suggest that the percent/tiers should go something like this: non-union Confidential, and class 99 = $0-50,000 3%-4%$50,001- $60,000-4% or 5%,(CX Union only) = $0-50,000 2% $0-50,000 , $50,001- $60,000-3% Ocer $61 as follows $60.001-$90,000 6% $90,001-$180,000 8% $180,001 –$ 240,000 10% Over $240,000 12% Hope you can understand this represented should have different percentages and tiers. Linda
Who says we would lose our jobs altogether!? CUE can stand firm and continue negotiations. If CUE gets back to us to say we are looking at losing our jobs then we can come back to this proposal of furlough and pay reduction. I don't understand why so many are willing to just roll over.
Someone said "I'm with a lot of people here...CUE--stay out of it." Well, I am with a lot of people here...CUE--fight for us, we are already so underpaid.
CUE, the best way you can protect us right now is by not engaging in unproductive arguments that will cause layoffs. I can live with the furloughs, even if it's tough. Please don't make me lose my job, especially since I had no say in joining the union.
An unfortunate aspect of being human is that we tend to be REACTIVE instead of PROACTIVE. And in a crisis everyone points fingers at everyone else. UC is trying to place the entire blame on the state, and some of us are pointing fingers at each other.
Reaction instead of action is why we are in this mess to begin with. UC was REACTIVE to the state budget crisis instead of being PROACTIVE and actively seeking out alternatives. They were reactive and implemented the reactionary measures we have seen.
Indeed, being proactive instead of reactive was a theme at the Regent's meeting yesterday. Even the Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi challenged the Regents to be more proactive in finding additional funding, and supporting pending legislation on oil extraction tax that could generate around $1 billion for higher education this fiscal year. And he basically told them (in much more polite words than this) to get off their Bureaucratic Duffs and work towards doing things that would benefit everyone. (He also voted against the furloughs by the way)
Yes I'm upset, and yes I've done some hand wringing, but I think I'm more annoyed than scared. I'm on a tight budget and probably now may have to find a way to make up around $250.00 a month working a second job. I hope not to be reduced to this level but I may wind up twriling a sign on a street corner for a crappy $9.00 an hour or dressing in a chicken suit handing out samples in a supermarket to make ends meet. (I swear, I almost asked that chicken I saw the other day doing that if he had any openings in his organization!) But I'm trying to be more proactive and seek viable solutions.
So go ahead and bash CUE if it makes you feel better, but remember this. CUE is NOT the enemy here. CUE is not some unfeeling nebulous entity dictating our futures.
WE ARE CUE.
As a due-paying CUE member you have a vote in anything that may be finally proposed.
CUE is here to support you, NOT take away your livelihood.
Yudof, like the evil emperor in Star Wars, is probably rubbing his hands together gleefully and saying "Good, good, CUE members, fight amongst yourselfs! Give into the Dark side!"
Let's take some of that pent up anger and fight together proactively, not against one another reactively.
Find out more about CUE and then decide for yourselfs. If you still don't like it,fine. But give it a chance.
I know nothing I said is going to put more food on the table, or may make things better, but keep your options open.
I'm going to support CUE and give them a chance. And I always have my back up plan of standing on a street corner in a chicken suit twirling a sign for extra income.
So the faculty, management, at-will employees all will be taking furloughs on a sliding scale according to their pay grades. Students will pay more for tuition. Grants and scholarships will be fewer. Lecturers will not be rehired.
HELLO CUE members! Are your skills so unique that you are worth more than the above mentioned groups? We are just the worker bees.
Get real. We are in a deep recession that will probably get worse since our Congress and the current administration are spending like drunken sailors. (No offense to the Navy)
We need to be realistic and acknowledge that everyone will feel the pain.
I am really surprise to see so many comments to ask CUE to STOP and STAY OUT. Nobody wants to lose their jobs, nobody wants to have their pays cut and nobody wants the no-paid holidays or furloughs. Then LOOK FOR BETTER SOLUTIONS instead of pointing fingers and whine without doing your part. Can the 4 UNIONS work together for a better proposals (GO FOR UNITY)! With no support from CUE members/ complainers, how can CUE do/fight anything for our rights, we all know this is an illegal scam and manipulatiions from the BIG CROOKS from above. How much $$$ were wasted from the State Funds before, instead of giving us a better rate for our hard-work; if we GIVE IN so easily, then will follow the next steps (cut our benefits too), later will cut our percentage with no benefits. WHY!!! because the big lump sum that save from cutting phase 1, 2, 3 will build up their BIG BONUS when finish their terms @ UCs. Do you know UC Medical Centers make over millions profit EVERY MONTH, and Campus have Grants and Fundings from donations too. UCs are not poor, just that they were used to lavish expendings and now they have to be tighten a bit. Pls. STAY TOGETHER & WORK TOGETHER, try to get a WIN-WIN, try to get a good reason & acceptable bargarins. Thanks! v
Like Tina, I'm a single mother with 2 kids, not accepting alimony or child support. Furloughs and pay cuts will have a great impact on my budget and savings and I know it's not easy but what can I do. It's hard to look for a full or part time job elsewhere.I'm just thankful, I still have a job and I'd rather keep it than fight.
Reality check. I'm ordering that for you. Everyone leaving a comment about the possibility of losing their jobs is speaking out. We are scared. We have responsibilities. One of them being children and their mouths we must feed. I think we all want to be paid more but right now is not the time to ask for more money. CUE should step back and deal with the situation. The state of our economy is not a joke. I'm all for unity and right now, we are uniting and saying "CUE , accept the proposal" Can our reps live with themselves when people get laid off? Can they look at themselves in the mirror every morning?
I don't agree with the furloughs, as I am paid on federal money and private money. Money going out of my pocket will go back to the grant and never reach the State. No one benefits here! I am happy to have a job, but again money out of my pocket will just go to more supplies or wasted on something else.
I'd like to say thank you for creating this blog. It is a way to speak out, vent, but also to unify in a whole new way - which can only help us at this time. I have been on the fence about being in a union, since I began working for UC almost a year and a half ago. I have been hoping for more communication from CUE and really, it's nice to see them taking action and at least helping us communicate amongst ourselves. (It would also be nice to hear from our CUE reps on here as well.) The first few comments on this thread really made sense to me...to ask CUE not to get involved for fear of having things get worse for us all than just having a furlough day each month. But then, reading the last few comments, also started making sense to me as well. So my two cents worth that I'd like to throw in right now is that I feel that this isn't the final solution just because the Regents voted for it. CUE represents us little wigs and some of the lowest paid staff in all of the UCs. If CUE can fight for something - tell us what you can fight for and have us vote on it. I promise I will become a paying member if you give me good enough reason to join and vote.
CUE - don't be stupid and get us laid off! If we're going to have to reduce pay and go to furloughs so be it - I'd rather have that then NO JOB! At least with furloughs we get some time off which everyone can appreciate!
All you people who talk about fighting this, where were you when the picket signs were handed out? Did YOU walk the lines? This entire CUE is a joke! I'm at the Irvine Med Center and as far as I'm concerned there is NO UNION! We all need to "take the medicine" and hopefully we'll get better!
For the sake of those with dependents and mortgages....take the furloughs. Residents in the state of California are facing serious financial crises. Layoffs will only push more folks into bankruptcy.
Do I resent four years of no raises while the cost of living has risen by 20%. Of course. But pushing more individuals into unemployment will not help the situation.
We need to be patient, ride out the storm and help those who need it to recovery.
I vote NO to accepting the Regents' proposal. WHY IS THIS THE ONLY OPTION BEING PRESENTED? When the UC system had the money, we didn't receive merit nor cost of living increases, and thus we are already so far behind in pay as it is. We were always told they couldn't afford to give us increases. Yet, we watched the lavish wasteful spending (and it continues-see the comment re the $50K party after the Regents met). When Yudof was appointed, he received an annual base salary of $591,084, supplemental pension funding of $228,00 in 2008-09, a yearly automobile allowance of $8,916, university provided housing, funds for entertainment, etc., etc. Have any of these items been cut? WE NEED TO TELL THEM WE CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE THE CUTS. If they lay us all off as threatened, just who will do our jobs?
I am torn- I believe strongly in the cause for the fight, and I thankful that CUE is looking out for our best interest, but I fear the possibility of being laid off. Thank you-
Hi, i do have to agree with Teri with her words of " being bitter and the statement that we better agree or face layoffs sounds like a slap in the face to me". There are so many high paying faculties and the regents are also high paid people. They are the ones that should be getting the chopped of the knife. They know this, but being selfish they cannot help themselves.
Look at it this way, If the real high pay workers (faculties /regents) would take the proper cuts the little men (people) us, would not have to take a furlough, nor have to get cut from their jobs. We are not the ones that put us here. California does not need more poor people on the streets nor people getting paid by unemployment checks. This form of crisis California needs people to be working together. Money will not always be there but people will. HELP US KEEP OUR JOB AND OUR PAY. THERE ARE OTHER WAYS OUT THERE TO GET THE MONEY NEEDED. OPEN YOUR EYES, EMBRACE THE FACTS THAT THE HIGHER PAID PEOPLE NEED TO LET GO OF THEIR MONEY.........ITS THE ONLY WAY.......HOW DO YOU EXPECT THE UNIVERSITY TO FUNCTION PROPERLY WITH ALL THE SMALL PEOPLE GONE!!!!
There is nobody here at UCSC that wants to loose their jobs much less get a pay cut. If you look at what the faculties paid just to teach the kids a subject that they love and master and they do not want to put in their share of cuts. It is only temporarily. I mean 8% cuts from them is not a hell lot comparing to the little men. If you take 4% from the little people they feel the pinch. I still would try to get the money from the higher really high paying people. People who gets $200,000 a year .. Look at that numbers. The people they are cutting off are the ones that are like getting $40,000 a year. Look at the difference in pay. Please try not to cut our pay, we are living check to check without any dealing with debts. Imagine when you cut the pay. The babies will starve with the parents.
I work at UCDMC and AFSME and CNA have all settled their contracts and received significant raises and will have their cuts off of them. CUE, however, has not settled and if we take the cuts it will be a much larger hit. Yes, the reality is that we will all have to be victims of the times and be furloghed, but we need to still work on the negotiations.
I am tired of everyone whinning about the high level people cutting THEIR pay...come on!! They are taking cuts too! Although to most of us, it doesnt seem fare, but thats just life. WE are all fighting for our lives right now, lets stay on track and keep our focus on the real issue..OUR JOBS!! If we get laid off, will it really matter how much of a cut the big shots took...I say NO! They will still have jobs, we wont!!! Lets move on.....
As difficult as it will be, I believe the best plan for me and my family would be to take the furlough days. I am a single mom of 3 working full-time and going to school full-time. I don't receive any child support and do not qualify for any public assistance. While the furlough plan, which are equal to a 6% pay cut, creates a financial hardship, I could make up for it by taking on a second job or using the time off to concentrate on my studies and seek more scholarship or loan opportunities. As a result, I will be faced with many difficult financial decisions and spend less time with my children. I understand that tough times require tough sacrifices. While my employer has the opportunity to cut my pay, unfortunately, I am unable to tell my mortgage or utility company and bill collectors that I am going to cut their payments and they will have to absorb the difference.
I am thankful I have a job and don’t have to worry about the possibility of being laid off or that I might lose my health and retirement benefits, at least not at this moment. I appreciate all the options being considered and am somewhat satisfied with the outcome. I hope that when the economy is back on track, all the sacrifices we've made are not forgotten and we are compensated adequately.
“Agreements from labor unions will be needed for the cuts to go into effect for many UC employees, and some labor leaders have said they will resist them. UC President Mark G. Yudof said today that negotiations will start soon. He warned that layoffs worth about $184 million in salaries, the amount the furloughs are expected to save, could be in the works if the unions all refuse to accept the plan.”
-Stated online in the LA Times 7/17 (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/07/uc-regents-approve-furlough-plan-discuss-winter-fee-increase.html)
I would beg CUE and CUE Union members to please not fight this! If they fight, we lose our jobs and then we're left with NOTHING! I would rather have a job with benfits then not to have a job going bankrupt... Please do not fight this! Keep your JOB!
I have been working at UCB for a few years now. I came from the private sector and initially was very excited about being part of a labor union and working for a public institution.
Even though I find some of the senior execs salaries outrageous, and see wasted money in all sorts of places, I am also disappointed at the level of unprofessionalism and mediocrity with CUE and many legacy employees. There are definitely many outstanding and stellar people but they get lost in the crowd.
Low salaries require some kind of protection and solidarity, but a good majority of the represented I have worked with have such an extremely easy day, and do very little that would be called work. They sit on emails for months, blog and chat on the phone all day, etc.
Given the low salaries for these positions, but amazing, almost unrealistically good benefits, and incredibly slow pace of work with virtually no pressure from above, it is clear that most people who have been in these positions for years do not understand how well they have it.
Take really smart steps on how you handle the Regents plan as our representatives. Yes the $50K junket is misguided at best, but if I were you I would focus a lot less on that and a lot more or gaining the respect of the people you represent. Talking about the junket is a good way to divert their attention away from what you are not doing. There is a great deal of resentment from the ranks for what little you do and how much it costs them per paycheck. You collect way more than $50K per month in union fees.
There are a lot of members who want to get ahead in their jobs, are extremely overqualified, but are stuck and having to work with protections for people who have seniority but haven't worked for years and want to continue the old way.
Your job as CUE is to try to stay relevant with the changing times. Continuing the ways of the past is not a strategy for the future and is surely going to create more problems for all of us who appreciate that what we have is not that great, but a lot better than the alternative. We will take a small hit and we'll find a way to make do with less.
Be smart and don't blow it on our behalf. It is very easy to want things to remain the way the same old way, but reality is very different. We need to move forward and realize what is good overall. How about a performance- rather than seniority-based system where you negotiate higher salaries for those that work well?
We have built all these exaggerated disparities over the past few decades with senior execs making unbelievable money, and unions getting away with outrageous benefits and protections. What we have ended up with is two extremes who have turned this into a race to the bottom.
There is a middle road somewhere in there, and whoever captures it will have a future.
Rest assured that I have no stomach for the big comp packages of the execs either.
I totally and positively and absolutely Second this statement: I prefer CUE stay out of this and let the UC Regents do what they need to do. If you fight this, we will all be laid off, paid out and basically left to hang. I would get out of this union if I could. A pay cut and some furlough days off are much better than losing our jobs and good luck trying to find another one!! Please work this out with the Regents and lets move on!!! I saw Mary Higgins screaming on TV and she looks like a crazed psychotic mad-woman. She exacerbates the worker's situation.
CUE Statewide Officers (found on http://www.cueunion.org/contacts/statewide.php
President: Khixaan Obioma-Sakhu, Santa Barbara term: 2008-2010 sbcueprez@gmail.com Northern Vice President: Anytra Henderson, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab term: 2008-2010 calisunshineqt@gmail.com Southern Vice President: Maria La Barrie, Riverside term: 2008-2010 labarriejm@yahoo.com Secretary: Stephanie Dorton, Berkeley / UCOP term: 2008-2010 sdorton@law.berkeley.edu Treasurer: Susan Ervin, Los Angeles term: 2008-2010 itslakers@yahoo.com Chief Steward: Mary Higgins, San Francisco term: 2008-2010 sfcuemary@gmail.com
I vote yes to the furloughs and keep my job. I would prefer CUE stay out of this too and let the UC Regents do what they need to do to keep us working.
I am in total agreement with Karen. There is no moderate voice in any of this. I am glad that people are speaking up against the old ways.
More of us need to do so.
There is a lot of built-up resentment over the low pay, lack of cost of living increase, but we are not proposing any fresh ideas to move out of that rut. Seniority is great for those who have it, but what motive does someone have to work if they are covered by seniority and pref rehire rules?
There needs to be a connection between pay and actual work output.
We really are completely detached from the outside world. The salaries ARE low, but we don't have a system that rewards good work with good pay. What we have is a system that rewards good work with excessive pay, or no work for very little pay.
We need to come to something more sensible. I don't want anyone to suffer from these cutbacks, but I also wonder what I would do if I were payroll and had to figure out a way to make do with less money.
These are really tough times and its a hard choice to make. I am a part time (career) employee who does the job of a full time person. My husband lost his job and I am my family of 4's only source of income. Do I like taking more days unpaid, no. But I don't like being threatened that we will loose our jobs if we don't agree with the proposal. I also don't like others on this board suggesting some of us who are not in their level get laid off. Yes, we all see money wasted constantly by upper management. I agree that their should be more oversight. Why should everyone in a dept. go to the same meeting when UC is hurting(travel expenses are very high), I hate having to purchase from a very expensive furniture vendor, etc. But what can we do. I agree, I would rather have a job than loose my job right now. I know people who have been looking for a job for a long time and still have had no luck.
I cant believe all you people saying that CUE should stay out of it. No CUE should fight for us!!!! i see money coming in here checks for 200,000 to 500,000to the university where is that money going to??? why dont they start cutting some bonuses for the people that dont deserve it up there. We bust our asses off everyday working hard!!! and we get paid very little!!! the university should budget on the spending they do!!!!!
I agree with folks, I'd rather take a furlough day than a job loss, BUT, wow! when you look at what the folks like Pres Yudof make...these furloughs will mean that folks like us won't be able to pay our utilities, cover the cost of groceries, our rent/mortgages, etc. These furloughs/pay cuts will mean the likes of the UC elite might not go to Hawaii this summer or travel Europe and instead have to settle for a simple trip to Yosemite. I can assure you these cuts aren't going to affect their ability to provide for their families basic needs. There's something seriously amuck when upper administration is looking to take from the "barely surviving" in order to preserve their gluttonous paychecks. This is not just a financial dilemma, it's an ethical one. I don't see REAL sacrifice for the sake of the university in this plan - I here the talk, I'm not seeing the walk.
I'd rather have furloughs than lay-offs. And, I'd rather be non-represented. I've been here for two years, had top performance reviews and no raise. No step increase. No bonus. In fact, now I'll get to take home less.
What is the deal with bonuses, anyway? Some bonuses we "CUE" people aren't allowed to receive and other types we can receive, but only up to a certain amount? While non-represented & other union workers get higher bonuses. WHY would you limit bonuses?
Thanks, CUE. Hope you got that "all important" uniform issue worked out. The rest of us could have used a raise before taking this cut.
Yup, furlough is the way to go. The union should NOT obstruct this plan. No plan would ever be 100% fair to 100% of everyone. We can all live through the slight inequities and Hopefully we will all live long enough to chuckle about this in years to come...
I join with others on this blog imploring the unions to let this one go. Although I do have questions as to where this campus surplus is and why it is being kept under wraps, realistically, it will not keep day-to-day operations going very long. No one likes having furloughs. I have been down this road before, having retired 20 years in federal civil service before coming to the UC system. However, taking a pay cut is infinitely better than layoffs which you can bet will happen.
"All you people"? Please check your grammar before posting. You want to make sure your post is taken seriously and proper grammar will help. Now, engage in reading either an online or newspaper article regarding the UC furlough/salary reductions. Please note that the Regents are not messing around with their decision. We will be laid off if we put up a fight. Remember what the Unions did for the grocery store employees back in 2003? That's right; they all lost their jobs when the unions could not agree. New non-union employees were brought in to replace them. Stores were shut down and they still have not fully recovered. Is this really what we want? CUE has had plenty of time in the past to fight for us and negotiate wage increases, etc. They clearly missed the boat on that opportunity for us and instead focused on matters like uniform requirements. The CHP just got notified last week that they will have across the board 4 furlough days per month. The CHP does not even have the great medical benefits that we have. It could be worse for us. So, if you want to fight then go ahead but you better put some time aside in the mist of it all to revise your resume and pray that you can find a new job.
Yes, pay cuts should start at the top, money is mismanaged, and it is extremely unfair that we get so few raises compared to just about everyone else in this university. Clerical staffers are the only ones without longevity raises (except SF Medical Center clerical employees--which is another source of frustration for those of outside of the medical center). This is all frustrating and has been for as long as I can remember. I've been here almost twenty years. We did better when AFSCME represented clerical staffers. I guess I'm cynical, but I don't expect any good to come from CUE's fighting this. And they won't win. Inequity between higher and lower paid employees won't go away and neither will other circumstances that we are rightfully outraged about. I don't trust this union to do what is best for us or pick its battles sensibly. Get real.
CUE, please, please, please choose your battles wisely. I implore you accept the Regents' proposals during this economic crisis. Once the economy improves your cooperation will be a valuable bargaining tool. I believe that resistance at this time is futile and can only cause harm to those you wish to protect. - Mary at UCI
Well, I was reclassified in Aug. 08and was promised it would be retroactive from Oct. 08. To date I have not seen the reclass. It was approved and apparently is sitting on someone's desk. And now I am told that I will have my pay cut? No, I am not happy about this but at least I have a job and am grateful to work here.
For the people showing no love for CUE, please remember this:
CUE is an independent union and is as strong as it membership. It is not affiliated with a larger national union as are other unions representing campus workers: Academic Student Workers are afilliated with United Auto Workers, Service workers are affiliated with AFSCME and and UPTE although initially independent is now affiliated with CWA-AFl-CIO.
The issue with CUE may be that in this economic climate an small, independent union may not be able to bring leverage of a large national union to the bargaining table.
Prior to CUE, UC clericals were represented by AFSCME. Perhaps what we need to think about is whether CUE is the right union for us, not that we just don't need a union.
Without representation we will have no rights or recourse and be at the complete mercy of the Regents/UC Admin.
CUE is clueless; they should be fighting to preserve our jobs, not for raises or using reserve funds for salaries. CUE's rhetoric is reminiscent of the UAW. That kind of advocacy will result in layoffs. CUE, are you listening? I need my job and benefits. Bring on the furloughs.
If we all work together as a union we can accomplish more instead of giving up.
If we do nothing then the university will walk all over us! I think we should wait til CUE say something then decide what's right.
CUE MEMBERS ARE WEAK AND THAT'S WHY OUR UNION NEVER WIN BECAUSE OF LOSERS LIKE YOURSELVES! WE HAVE TO STAND TOGETHER INSTEAD OF LETTING THE UNIVERSITY SCREW US WITH NO GREASE....
It's unfortunate that we suffer due to Ca. legislature's inadequacy to balance the budget. Too bad we can't propose furloughs/salary reductions for each of the reps. in the state capitol who got us in this mess.
However, here we are and I ask CUE to please move forward with the regent's suggestions. Yes, we're receiving the shorter end of the stick, however, I'm still glad that I've got a job to hang onto. Furlough/salary reduction vs. no job? No contest... a job is better than no job.
Why is it that some of you keep saying we are getting "screwed"? Look around, for the past two years the economy has been tanking. People have been losing their jobs all over the place. I'm surprised that WE havent been hit with this budget issue sooner! If the worst we deal with is some time off and a pay cut, we need to be very grateful to still get up everyday and have a job to go to....CUE...BACK OFF!!!!
Posted by Anonymous Friday, July 17, 2009 1:50:00 PM
"CUE MEMBERS ARE WEAK AND THAT'S WHY OUR UNION NEVER WIN BECAUSE OF LOSERS LIKE YOURSELVES! WE HAVE TO STAND TOGETHER INSTEAD OF LETTING THE UNIVERSITY SCREW US WITH NO GREASE....]"
I've been reading some of the recent comments and couldn't help but wonder how much waste the UC system generates as a whole. I just threw away over 200 campus magazines that we did not need and mail services would not pick up. Perhaps it's a small thing but situations like this add up to dollars that could be better spent somewhere else. Just a thought, look around you and see what you can do to save the UC system. We need to pull together, not tear each other apart. I'm just grateful that we are being asked our opinion and being offered options.
I agree with Anon's post (Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:47:00 PM). I work at UC Davis and this was Central HR's response to the rumor stating that all union employees would be laid-off if the neither the UC nor the unions were successful in negotiating furloughs and/or paycuts: "No, the UCs will not lay off all union employees wholesale. However, this budget cut will go into effect regardless. This means that whatever monies cannot be saved via furloughs and/or paycuts WILL HAVE TO BE saved via lay-offs." To me, this translates into: If your union won't agree to furloughs and/or paycuts, then your chances (as a represented employee) of being laid-off will increase (as dictated by your hiring unit).
I don't like the furloughs/paycuts anymore than anyone else (I will lose $150.00 per month that should be spent on food and medicine), but I'd rather take a furlough over unemployment.
I imagine a good number of anti-CUE comments could be from non-CUE members (management perhaps? Specialists analysts supervisors etc) let us not be too discouraged. It is human nature to be jealous and are probably envious of our union protection. We should be standing up for cue at a time like this.
Why haven't we heard anything from our statewide CUE leaders? I keep checking my email hoping there will be a communication explaining what comes next and how they intend to find out from us, the members of the union, exactly what we want them to do on our behalf.
I believe CUE is asking our opinions and it seems to me most are expressing an opinion in each post I have read. What I don't understand is why any of us are willing to go belly up... happy to accept a 4% cut and/or a furlough to avoid threat of lay offs. Are we all nuts? We are not the university's disposable resource so start believing in yourselves and your abilities as an AA. The university would come to a screeching halt if each one of us suddenly disappeared.
There is power in knowledge and information. Visit http://www.sacbee.com/statepay/ and witness first hand the salary abuse of UC’s upper management. Then come back here and tell me you want to swallow a cut in your all ready underpaid salary.
When this information was first posted by the Sacramento Bee, our California Legislators became just as irate and the public and went into action. The message from our law makers to the Regents was to stop the abuse and cut the fat. Interesting how Yudof, the Regents and our UC upper management leaders interrupt it to say cut the underpaid support staffers rather than to trim away the top heavy management level FAT. Aren't you sick of being treated like garbage and the university's disposable resource?
I want CUE not to drop to their knees to accept pay cuts, furloughs or lay offs for AAs while faculty and upper management continue to receive merits and perks.
I vote we stand firm and show upper management our worth. Ask yourself what if all the AAs were suddenly not available? What if it happened on a move-in day? The first day of classes? During a Counselor Conference? An award deadline or even Michelle Obama's visit? What if it were Monday or Friday across each campus that every single AA suddenly disappeared? No one to answer their phones. No one to make their copies. No one to sort their mail. No one to process their reimbursements. No one to answer their questions or take their abuse. Can you imagine the chaos? Force upper management to see the value in having an AA at a desk.
Quite honestly, if we don't take the cut the scenario you imagine will be true -- only those AAs will be missing because they will have been given layoff notices. Even with the salary savings from the furloughs, there are still going to be layoffs (already in my department there have been three layoffs and it has been made clear to me that without the savings from furloughs, there will be deeper cuts and those not taking the furloughs will be the targets of those cuts).
We can rage all we want about salaries and perks for faculty and higher-ups but when push comes to shove, they will do away with us to save their own skins.
And if you are expecting the rank and file to walk out, then you are badly misreading how staff are feeling. Unemployment in California is over 11%, there are few jobs out there right now and certainly not many that offer the kind of benefits (health, pension) we have. Workers are going to do whatever they can to hold on to their jobs and try to ride out the hard times.
We are little cogs in the great big machine. Yes, we play a minor but necessary role. But as for whether the university would collapse if we all disappeared – I don't we would be missed all that much.
For those who are young, now is the time to get training and make yourselves irreplaceable. We old timers are just going to have to ride out the storm.
I have read most of the comments, and I feel, that if we all stick togather, and fight we can make a big move. We are already ten years behind in pay now. The regents 100K club and above need to take a 50% cut in pay, they do nothing but sit down and make up rules as they go along. I do not see any of the presidents or there assistants, to assistants, taking a cut in pay. It's only fair, the cuts start at the top. In the end result, i personally feel though "Cue", you have let us down alot, you do not stand or fight for our raises like Afsme or local 250. Yes, I can agree, this union is a big joke. If Cue, would take a postive stand, and be about the business of your members, we would have more confidence in this union. We are still waiting for the raises, we have yet to receive. The Regents, think you are a joke anyway. Personally, Cue, you have failed us, so many times, you need to refund our money back, for the good you do. The regents could care less about those making less than 100k, or lower. This is why they do what they do. And Yudof, surely doesnt care, he will get his raise no matter what happens. He want miss 5%, this is not even pocket change for him. The bounses to the managers or still going to happen no matter what kinda of crisis we are in. There still building hospitals, even though we are not receivng the $813 million dollars from the stste. UC REGENTS are oppertunist, by any means necessary they will screw you. As long as UCSF have people that are too afraid of there shadow, we will always get screwed. Peace to ya..
Cue, Why? Do we even need you? We are still ten years behind on raises. You do not fight for our decent raises, you let the UCSF REGENTS, do your members any kind of way. The Regents, could care less about there employees, making less than 50k. If the president of UCSF cared so much about the little person, he would give up 50% of his salary. He really would not miss it. And the 100k, and above club, would take a 20% cut, in salary. I believe UCSF have proved to the employees of UCSF, just how much they care. Just looked at your pay check before the cut. As long as there are people who are afraid of there shadow working for the UC SYSTEM, we will never get a decent raise or income. We are no better than United Airlines, I guess next we will loose our retirement also. Why not, we have lost money over the yrs anyway. We are still owed money from the times when, there was no money crisis. UCSF loves to play games with our heads, everyone in every site, need to walk right out of here, and let the 100k and above work the sites.
With the state of the economy I do not think that it would be wise to fight. I would much rather have a job with benefits than no job at all! I have alot of friends that have lost their jobs and cannot find another one. I say, be thankful for what we have. Continue the fight in better times.
I've not read all the posts, but a lot of them. "Stay out Cue" -- "I'd rather have a job..." -- etc., etc.,
All of us have choices. Some better than others. We can choose to find other work besides the University of California. Will we have the same great benefits? Maybe, maybe not.
I agree that CUE could make a bigger mess of things with the Regents, but if enough of us stood together with the right Press communications, we might have a small chance. If CUE calls for a strike, I just might strike.
What I fear is that this is just a beginning. They say it's only until August 2010, but what if they take away more? What if they extend it for another year...and the next? What if they tell us they can't afford the health benefits? We'll have to start paying more for that...?
The furloughs and the pay cuts may just be the beginning of things to come.
I suggest that instead of bitching how CUE never does anything for you, you become active in the union and work for the change you want. The people who are active in CUE aren't "them"--they're your coworkers.
Why have we not received an update/email from CUE by now? Layoff talk for union employees is circulating more and more around the water coolers! Not Good!
Now that we know that we will need to take our respective cuts 4 - 6%. If the contract is not negotiated soon, once the UC begins the salary cuts in Sept, will the UC be able to take more from our check to cover the retroactive cuts?ress
why is it that only union people are being targeted for layoffs? Our salaries don't even compare to what they would save by laying off analysts, or others not in the union. Is this fair? By nature of our position, we are automatically in the union and this puts our job in danger.
I'm confused. I thought it will be 4% salary cut and 4% furlough, so the total will be 8% or more. But people is saying furlough only but no salary cut. Can someone enlighten me please?
From what information is floating around out there, the University could layoff up to 70% of union employees which is what the contract allows for. That leaves 30% of union employees with jobs. It sounds like layoffs will be random and not based on what positions are of greater need. Unions are a thorn in the Regents side when it comes to situations like these. If they can weed us all out now, then it will be better for them in the future.
Someone wrote"I'm confused. I thought it will be 4% salary cut and 4% furlough, so the total will be 8% or more. But people is saying furlough only but no salary cut. Can someone enlighten me please?
The salary cut is achieved by the furlough days. For staff:
If you make <= $40,000 you must take 11 unpaid furlough days which is = to a 4% pay cut
An anonymous commenter asks : "why is it that only union people are being targeted for layoffs? "
Union members aren't being targeted for layoffs per se. The issue is that UC cannot implement pay cuts or furloughs unless the union, bargaining on our behalf, agrees to allow the university to do so in the contract. Our current contract has no provision for furloughs or pay cuts.
UC is threatening that if the union does not agree to the pay cuts/furloughs, they will make up the difference by laying off represented employees. To what extent they will be able to do this and still allow the university to function is a good question.
The thing to remember is that if we allow UC's proposal to stand without any emendation, it doesn't stop them from implementing layoffs another 6 months down the road. If we allow any furlough or pay cut, we need to secure a binding agreement from the administration that there will be no layoffs--otherwise, we're stuck with a pay cut and still no job security.
I would like to know why UC is hiring temps and retirees to fill the boids...while career employees are being laid off, temps and retirees are being hired to fill these "vacant" positions. If these positions need to be filled why are they not filling them with career employees...and if you retire from the university, you retire! Maybe someone should get a dictionary to the upper echelon...
I am a dues-paying member of Cue. I do not understand the statement from the CUE Local 6 blog:
Our research indicates that the UC budget situation is fine. CUE will fight any attempt to use the California State budget crisis as UC's excuse to reduce our wages.
I would like to see the figures that support this, with a clear explanation of the manner in which CUE 6 arrived at the idea that the "UC budget is fine."
Union membership does not mean support of all positions...it relies on the vote. I vote "yes" to furloughs.
I just read J2 and it clearly states that even if we do not start the furlough program till Nov of 09 that we will have to do a 12 month period no matter what. So why fight it the sooner it happends the faster it will be over. Im all for furloughs.
I wonder why CUE members are not talking on the blog about the email CUE sent out that said this:
On Friday, July 17th, the UC Team's Chief Negotiator, Peter Chester informed the CUE bargaining team that it did not have a proposal for the CUE Bargaining Team at this time. The CUE Team did question the UC team about the elements of J2, the furlough plan as it was approved by the Regents on Wednesday, July 15th. To our utter amazement, (we had not seen this detail in any of the UC publications or announcements) the furlough days will be PAID DAYS off! That is, we understood from the university team, the University would achieve its salary savings by implementing a slight wage reduction for all hours worked at the commencement of the furlough period. In exchange for this salary reduction are "paid furlough days" to be negotiated on a campus-by-campus basis. It was further explained to us that each location, campus and or medical center will be given the flexibility to determine how it wants to implement the furloughs.
----- This makes absolutely no sense to me. How could furloughs turn into paid days off? I have written to CUE to find out a clearer explaination, but nothing so far.
My understanding on the latest email is that CUE now knows that UCOP didn't really use the most correct words in describing furlough days.
Common understanding is that a furlough day is a entire 8-hour workday where the person is not at work and is not getting paid. Instead, UCOP plans to cut salary/wages according to their preferred savings (scaled) and people would then take PAID "furlough" days (better termed "supplemental, non-refundable, vacation days") using the new, lower wage. The savings is the same, but it just seems like a different way of implementing it in existing pay systems.
What concerns me is that each campus will have the power to determine how furlough *time* is taken. That leaves room for a school to implement an "X-minutes per day off" system so that services aren't interrupted as opposed to giving us full power to control our time.
If we don't get actual, full days off, I will be less than pleased. More like enraged.
The furloughs are necessary to save jobs. Layoffs are inevitable however we can reduce the number by accepting the furlough or come to the table with a REASONABLE counter offer. I am not pleased with the way CUE handled their demand for cost of living increases. I don’t recall the exact details but a couple years ago or so unrepresented employees received a cost of living increase (1% or 2%?). CUE went to the table with an unreasonable demand of around 15%. In the end, we received nothing and certainly won’t now. That 1% or 2% could have offset our future pay reductions.
someone wrote: I'd LOVE to have the choice on whether or not I have to be represented by CUE (or any union). If people had their choice CUE wouldn't exist.
KICK CUE OUT!
And then you would really have no rights or recourse. Unfortunately, most of the people who worked at the university before there are unions are retired, but I've heard the stories and it was not a good place to work.
Maybe you need to do some research on labor unions and workplaces before you go trying to get rid of your union.
The fact that the university is obligated to bargain with its workers is a good thing. The fact that if the university engages in unfair labor practices we have the right to go to HEERA for protection is a good thing.
What if we didn't have a contract with Article 13 (which spells out the way lay offs are handled and protects workers with senority). Do you not think departments would use layoffs as a way to get rid of people they don't like?
I think the reasons to have a union were nicely summarized by Dave Johnson ( found on The Huffington Post on March 28, 2008)
Union Workers Have Better Health Care and Pensions
Union workers are more likely than their nonunion counterparts to covered by health care and receive pension benefits, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. In March 2007, 78 percent of union workers in the private sector had jobs with employer-provided health insurance, compared with only 49 percent of nonunion workers. Union workers also are more likely to have retirement and short-term disability benefits.
Dignity: The presence of a union means employees must be treated fairly by their employer, and that you have a voice and vote in important decisions that effect you.
Power: An employee has little power and almost no way to improve wages, benefits, or working conditions. Collective Bargaining balances the power that an employer has over its employees even in a "Team" or high performance work environment.
Protection: Without a union there is no due process at work. Unions provide a grievance & arbitration procedure which ensures fairness for all employees.
Here are five good reasons to join your co-workers in uniting to form a union:
1 - Working together, union members have the strength to win better wages, affordable health care, a secure retirement, and safer workplaces.
2 - The "union advantage" is substantial. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, union members are much more likely to have health benefits and pensions.
3 - For people of color and women workers, the union impact is even greater. Women workers who are union members earn nearly $9,000 a year more than their non-union counterparts. For African-American workers, the union differential is also about $9,000, and for Latino workers the yearly advantage is more than $11,000.
4 - In addition to helping workers win better wages and benefits, unions help all workers by giving working families a stronger voice in our communities, in the political arena, and in the global economy.
5 - By joining together, we can build the strength to hold elected officials accountable, stop the "race to the bottom" by employers who cut wages and benefits in favor of bigger profits, and win improvements such as affordable, quality health care for all.
Union members earn better wages and benefits than workers who aren't union members. On average, union workers' wages are 30 percent higher than their nonunion counterparts. While only 14 percent of nonunion workers have guaranteed pensions, fully 68 percent of union workers do. More than 97 percent of union workers have jobs that provide health insurance benefits, but only 85 percent of nonunion workers do. Unions help employers create a more stable, productive workforce--where workers have a say in improving their jobs.
The University is offering all employees union and non-union paid days off in tandem with the salary decrease based on annual compensation. Vacation and sick leave accurals will be at the pre-furlough rates. For retirement calculations, salary and hours will be at the pre-furlough rates.
READ the proposal given to the Regents. Be grateful you are not working as a clerical for the State or for California State University System and subject to much larger pay cuts, in fact, the same percentage as your Department/Divison Directors.
Vote for the furlough. Bargain to get steps implemented retroactively to Oct 2008.
243 comments:
1 – 200 of 243 Newer› Newest»I vote NO to accepting the Regents' proposals for furloughs and pay cuts.
It's bad enough not getting a pay raise once a year like most other San Franciscans. I'm trying to raise my 2 kids on my own without child support or alimony and so far so good on my small take home pay.
Reducing it by just $200 per month means giving up nearly half my food budget or MUNI fast passes.
What am I supposed to do besides look for work elsewhere?? I love my job and the team I work with and am grateful to be here, really. I accept being paid less than private industry workers in exchange for all the benefits I receive. I can’t live on less though...
Tina
You know, the regents will just cut our appointments by the same amount as the furlough time, if we don't take their plan. And we will lose vacation/sick and retirement benefits. Or, they will continue to cut jobs. There have been lots of layoffs already and I don't want to be one.
It will be very difficult for people to manage, but it is better to still have a job, then to not have one at all. Especially in this economy.
At least, with the furloughs, we get a day off for losing the pay. And we will still have all of holidays paid. At this time, taking the furloughs is the only way to keep more people in their jobs.
C
I would prefer CUE stay out of this and let the UC Regents do what they need to do. If you fight this, we will all be laid off, paid out and basically left to hang. I would get out of this union if I could. A pay cut and some furlough days off are much better than losing our jobs and good luck trying to find another one!! Please work this out with the Regents and lets move on!!!
I worry about the proposed furloughs and pay cuts; however, I would much rather have to find a way to deal with a pay cut then be laid off. We need to be thankful we still have the benefits we do.
Im with you C. I say take the furloughs. I dont want to lose my job. Its better to have a job than not have one at all. The president stated that if the unions do not take the furloughs that there will be layoff. Lets accept the furloughs and enjoy the extra time off we will get.
Concerned
You need to bargain for automatic annual cost-of-living increases to all steps for every CX-represented title code. To heck with "merits" - UC never gives those anyway! You also need to adopt a policy to encourage managers to give more than 1-step increases! I've been told time & again that "the union" prohibits more than a one step increase.
I AGREE CUE STAY OUT OF THIS
I dont agree with the cut at all but, I understand we are basically going to have take a furlough or pay cut regardless or what is the other option? Being laid off & I am sorry I would rather take a furlough day then lose my job & benefits all together. I just dont feel it is fair that they are going to cut our pay whether it is a furlough day or a plain cut & not give us the option of when we can take our furlogh day.....??
I agree with the last comment that was said. I don't want to lose my job because of you cue. Leave it alone. You can't win.
As fas as I know you do have the option of when to take the furlough day.
Like Tina said I'm a single mother and make 2,300 my mortgate 2600.00
I'm getting readdy to scream on the other hand I still have a job and cutting corners ans not buying unnecessary things will help me. I aslo pray.
A.A.
I completely agree with the second comment.
It's better to have a job and be furloughed than to be laid off and unemployed.
We either take the furloughs or we lose our jobs...I am willing to furlough even though it will be a strain on our family, but losing my health benefits and my job would be far worse.
I agree with everyone who has voiced their opinion that CUE needs to step down. I am all for trying to protect union workers, but if CUE attempts to dodge these furloughs we might all find ourselves living in a cardboard box.
Do I want to take unpaid days off? No. Would I rather work the same number of hours and take a pay-cut? DEFINITELY NOT.
There is no ideal solution to this. An 8% reduction in salary is better than a 100% reduction in salary.
- Kelly
I agree I HATE it but I can't afford to not have any job.
I think everyone here is missing a very important point WE DO THE WORK!!! I dont know how much he makes, but I would be he makes 20 at least 20 times what I do when his bonuses and whatnot are figured in. Does he work 20 times harder than I do? If he lays me off, is he going to make sure the invoices get paid? NO. Yes I hear the concerns about being laid off if we dont take the furlough--but it never should have come to that. Our department just spent 25,000 in a new conference table (the "old" one worked just fine) and $250,000 on new chairs (no one had trouble sitting in the old ones). It is about having a say in our futures. If we do not send a message now, then when will we do it?
I agree with those who say "CUE stay out of it!" I would rather have a job with pay cuts than no job.
I would get out of this union if I could. I just hope you listen and work this out with the Regents. Please, please, do not blow it. So many of us depend upon our jobs.
I agree with the comment about having CUE stay out of it this go around...I like my job, I like my benefits and I don't think CUE should sacrifice our stability by "negotiating" the furloughs...agree to the furloughs before we are all unemployed.
I can't believe that we are all standing here somehow dumbfounded that there are going to be pay cuts. I think we all need a reality check. The economy is in shambles and we as University employees are not immune. Do I want a pay cut? no. However, if I have to choose between watching a peer loose their jobs or take a 4% furlough. I, without a moment of hesitation say take the furlough. We are all extremely lucky to work for an organization that gives us full benefits, comprehensive retirement and actually cares to ask us what are opinions are about pay cuts. I hate that our union is spreading propagandist rhetoric about millions of dollars the University is somehow hiding from us. The University isn't some evil big box corporation that takes pleasure in hurting their employees. I agree that our wages are not always comparable for the work that we do, but these are not exactly times to be living high on hog. It's going to hurt us all, but not as much as it will those that will loose their jobs if we don't follow status quo and take the furloughs.
I agree with the others.
I would rather have furlough days
than to not have a job at all.
I hope that the union will do what
it can to come to a agreement with
Regents so that we as employees
can move on.
You may demand that executives' pay be cut, or at least disclosed, but I'm sure they will make good on their threat to lay off staff if we don't accept the furloughs.
I agree with the furlough. I would rather have a job than be unemployed.
Have your Way Lord!
I say let the cue members vote on what to do. Its our jobs that are on the line. I need my job! Please cue stay out of it!
I preferred the UC furlough plans rather than losing my job.
One Furlough day a month is still better than alternatives. I have friends who are going to be homeless because they can not find work and the unemployment is running out. Watch out when the economy recovers though, because the UC system is so far below what the same jobs pay in the private sector that the benefits will no longer be enough of an incentive to stay.
Sorry, I'm going to have to go with everyone who says take a pay cut and furlough. It's not just us, it's everyone.
I'd rather have a job than be in the ranks of the unemployed. You have to pick and choose your battles.
If CUE won't agree to the cuts and furlough, I'm going to do so voluntarily.
Oh, absolutely, I think we should just roll over and play dead. And while we are at it, we can also thank UC for all the abuse they can heap on us. "More, please..."
Most of us are already on a tight budget due to the "generosity" of the UC system; what are we to do now? I pity the single parents out there, those with ongoing medical problems and those whose spouse has been laid off... Pitch a tent, perhaps, at 160 Woodmont Way?
I agree with all those who have suggested that CUE step down. They have never been much help and in this case they may do more harm than good. I personally would rather keep my job and have the furlough days than lose my job AND benefits. Let it go, CUE!
Boysmom
I vote for keeping my job cue, and happily taking the furlough option. You will accomplish nothing if you balk at the bargaining table and defeat the purpose if cue employees lose their jobs.
UCSD
Go with the UC Regents Plan. Our jobs, benefits and retirement may be at stake. The State of California has to make cuts somewhere. This proposal seems fair and equitable as tiered. Vote YES on the proposed UC plan. CUE member.
I also agree, furlough days off and a reduction in pay is a much better option, than being laid off.
I agree with noodlenoggins!!!! YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! EVERYONE ELSE DON'T HAVE A BACKBONE. I WORK HARD FOR THIS COMPANY ALSO. I WILL DO FURLOUGH IF THAT'S WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO. I THINK CUE AND EVERY OTHER UNIONS NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. UC HAVE MONEY THEY WASTE IT ON EXECUTIVES AND BS! FIGHT FOR US CUE IT'S NOT FAIR
I can't agree more with most of the comments on here- I would rather keep my job and have the furlogh. Let's work with the Regents on this one, CUE. We've argued everything else for a year. I know it is not ideal and Senior Level Managers don't do the work we do but suck it up- a fight on this could hurt us more than help us and my family depends on my paycheck.
I would prefer to take the furlough and keep my job, as painful as that is.
I agree with this opinion posted in the LA Times:
http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/in_the_news/full_text/view_clip.lasso?id=28296
530Mel
CUE stay out and let it happen. I am not happy about the furloughs but would be happier with that then no job at all.
Amen Anonymous!!! (3:03:00 PM timestamp)
Agree to the furloughs. Cue stay out.
+1 with furlough over potentially being laid off. I like my benefits and they are not being affected--just the unpaid days off. The world is not perfect and these are even more imperfect times. I hope CUE does not drag this out and threaten any of its members' futures.
BL
I agree with the majority of the comments above. CUE, please don't fight this. I do not want to be furloughed, but will gladly step up and make that sacrifice to make sure myself, and my fellow union members, are not laid off.
There will be other worthy fights in the future, please please realize this is not a fight worth fighting.
I agree with comment number 2 sad but true the UC's are gonna screw us again, and again. It's better to be screwed than unemployed.
pay cuts/layoff weren't the last thing they considered....it was the FIRST thing. Of course true fiscal responsibility is not on the menu (see my earlier post for an example). It is an easy solution for them to simply cut wages or the workforce-- it serves a double purpose....it reduces costs and scares the survivors into working more. and three words for all of those advocating the union step aside "BAAA BAAA BAAA..."
I don't like the furlough plan. I don't want to lose my job. I will have to file BK now becuase my pay reduction WILL affect my financial situation at home. I don't care about retirement or benefits because what I need now is income. CUE please help us to make sure we get our pay back in place after this 12 month cancer. I am going to look for another employer in the mean time, but I would hate to leave a good department.
CUE stay out of it! !!! They haven't benefited us in yrs. I say give us back our union fees (the fees I don't want to pay but am forced to pay). CUE can fight and complain but like we have seen in the past CUE only hurts us and UC will do what they want to do. We all need our jobs.
I thought they were talking about doing both; salary reductuctions (sliding scale) and furlough days.
Does your HR dept keep you informed? Mine does not and in the past has not been well informed themselves.
all of us are blessed to have a job.
Furlough is not so bad, we not only get to keep our job and benefits but also, we can help prevent lay offs and rebuild uc's revenue.
Let's just deal with it for a year. :-)
CUE...accept the furloughs.
A CUE member...not by choice though
Well I think the union should agree to the budget cut for now, I am sure none of us would want layoffs...but inturn the union should get something in writing from the regents that next year when the budget cut ends--we would get our share back with an extra 4%raise and to assure that there will be no layoffs in the coming years and no salary cuts, no matter what...well to hell with these budget issues--where is the all the money though? Its so damm frustrating, this is what we get for the all the hard work we do, and these higher ups get a good share just for warming up the seats, why just they don't freeze their own salaries, why doesn't Yudof get a pay reduction by 50%..5% or few furlough days is nothing for him.
Wow. Not many people are signing their names. At least put a first name (or initials) so we can respond to your post instead of "anonymous #17".
- Kelly
You know what I don't mind be screwed just pay me. Alot or a little, nothing's free remember that UC.ontersh
*****************GO ON NOODLENOGGINS**************
DO SOMETHING CUE!!!! FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS!!!!!
I would much rather take a day a month off than lose my job forever. Make up for it by cutting back things you really dont need or use at home. Look at it as a mini vacation every month, it wont be so bad. Given a choice we all wouldnt want this, but we dont have a choice and need to make the best of it.
Nobody is happy with the budget situation; however, it's not as though we can just quit our jobs and find something else--the jobs aren't out there for the taking. I'm more than willing to take the furlough; at least I would still have a job and benefits. Right now I'm supporting a family of 4 on my measly salary but it's better than nothing. Also remember that our vacation and sick leave will not be affected, so that's a huge plus. I'm with a lot of people here...CUE--stay out of it.
Are we ever going to reach a contract agreement? Or is bargaining completely off the table? I wish we would have just settled instead of now having to take a pay cut/furloughs. I'm living pay check to paycheck as it is. This union has no clout. We could have negotiated smaller and at least have something. Now we haven't had a raise in over a year and we get a decrease in pay to boot. Thanks CUE!
I agree...CUE needs to stay out of this. We are all in this financial crisis together.
I have nothing to cut back on...now it my mortage that wont be paid...But I would rather have a job than unemployed. Sty aout CUE as you have been fighting for years and gained nothing.
C
I agree that furloughs are preferable to being unemployed. CUE stay out of it.
RE: PISSED OFF @ Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:24:00 PM
I am not against CUE "fighting for our rights" but I would rather they NOT do it at a time when it could potentially end in us all being unemployed.
- Kelly
CUE - Leave my job alone - work on negotiations with common sense without us standing in the unemployment line.
The mantra"do more with less" is permeating the lives of all of us both at work and at home. The last child at home has one more semester to finsh and just brought home the tuition bill- 20% increase from the last semester. I bring home the furlough and pay reduction subject to a spouse who is out of work and we all look at each other and say "what next?" Will my union do right by me so I can do right by my child? What has the union done for me when negotiations drag on forever. There is no such thing as pay for perfomance, just wait for the union to do what's right. It's a good thing I like what I do for the faculty, residents and students, and I would like to keep doing it. Education is not like private industry, I accept that; however the current proposal is unacceptable. There must be some additional consideration for BOTH furloughs and paycuts. Continue to find a resolution without giving it all away.
You complainers, if you attended the CUE meetings, would be a much stronger force to deal with. At least, prehaps, may have had a better bargaining chip to negotiate with. You need to show up and participate and not sit back, complain and point fingers. Come in and voice your thoughts and talents. We really need you. All of you CUE workers.
IM MAD I HAVE 3 KIDS AND 1 ON THE WAY AND IM ALREADY BARELY MAKING IT. HOW WILL I PAY FOR CHILDCARE NOW.I ALSO TRAVEL 2 BRIDGES TO GET TO WORK WHATS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE THE HIGHER UPS ARENT EVEN GONNA FEEL THIS PAY CUT TAKE THEIR BONUSES AWAY THAT SHOULD MAKE UP FOR THIS PROBLEM.WE DIDNT GET A RAISE LAST YEAR OR THIS YEAR.WE SHOULD FIGHT TO THE END.GO CUE
Just make sure all this information to be presented to administrators that are making the decisions about the budget. Just to send us emails and to write on blogs it doesn't help. Please send all your emails about the budget to the regents and please send us their answer of your emails. Is it true that there are billions on reserve? We want to know their answer.
Thanks
I agree with the people who are saying CUE to go with what the Regents are proposing. Do not wait it out until October to decide. Make it effective 9/1/09. If you wait it out there will be alot of layoffs. A furlough day is better than being in the unemployment line and a welcome break. I'm anxiously waiting for the day I am out of this union.
I agree to the last one, every time they hit us with low salaries and cuts we have to thanks them and kiss their hands so they can continue again and again. I not think so if we not express that we care they going to continue.
I'm low pay and thanks God I have a job but I have pride I'm sick and tire to be mentally abuse and repress with the lay off if we works together we can make the difference, this is not the first time for me.
But looks like every one is scare and give up.
good luck to all the bad part is we in the same boat I wish we are strong.
I not agree with any cut .
I commute and pay for gas increases beside the extra time I spend in the route and is not for choice is because I can't afford to live close to work how I can look for a second job to save my home if I spend 11 between work and commuting.
For less than a dollar a month any CX member can be a CUE voting member. SO if you want to have your voice heard, pay the extra dollar and cast your vote. Its not about CUE staying out of it and letting the Regents have thier way. WE are CUE and if thats the way you want it then vote on it.
CUE don't stay out of it. I to will lose, CUE create some guarantees and lock in promises.
rl
I LOVE MY JOB!!!!! I hate to lose my job, i would rather take the furlough that to be cut all together. I have four kids and a husband that is working part-time, we can not afford for me to be out of work.
I still say fight for what is right! We deserve better.
I agree with a lot of the comments, they need to cut the big wigs pay and leave us little wigs alone. Why don't we suggest they pay our small mortgages and rent instead of the them paying the big wigs and they would save money that way.....Hey it's just a thought!
CUE make sure the Regents know we are calling for the lay off ALL the temps, limited, and retirees. They also drain our budget. I can't believe the Regents agreed to a salary reduction on earnings of $40K or less. That is very wrong.
LM.
I would rather UC take away 1 day out of the month than cut my salary and work for it. I am also a single parent and supporting my household but I don't understand the ignorance - CUE has not been able to obtain a raise - they can't do anything and honestly the economy is bad and it's politics - you could never win against that. I am upset about the whole situation. CUE stay out of it.
Anonymous
Testing access.
Reality is we are going to have to take what they are giving us because of the current economic situation but there are other things that need to be considered also ...
1. If one has some sort of productivity goal tied to their job performance reviews (e.g. Produce 100 widgits per week) and you are you are being forced to cut your work back a certain percentage, say 5% as an example. Has your productivity goal been adjusted accordingly? 5% reduction means only produce 95 widgits per week. Or will you be unfavorably reviewed for not meeting the goal 100 per week?
Or more importantly, where things are not so clearly defined, and in general, "X" amount of work is not getting done because your not there to do it, will you be reviewed poorly.
Are we going to be expected to work on our "furlough" days just as some of our bosses will certainly be to get their jobs done.
2. What happens with the in the other union jobs, like the nurses, where there are state mandated minimum staffing requirements? How will the Med Centers furlough the nurses but still meet those requirements?
3. How are we going to retain our medical doctors, who are key to making UCLA and the other hospitals, world class and nationally recognized, when they already get paid SUBSTANTIALLY less then they would in the private sector?
3. What are the Regents going to do about making sure that this will only be for 1 year as they say? What happens if the economy doesn't turn around?
I think all the unions need to work together and make sure these and other issues are addressed and continue to fight for bigger cuts at the top, reduction of perks, and suspension of building projects until this crisis is passed.
SM
I say that we should take the fuloughs and pay cuts at least we still have a job. I need my job in order stay above water. If you fight the Regents' on this there will be no other option but to layoff people and they will start with the unions that are fighting them. At least right now we have benefits, if we are layoff there would be nothing.
What if all of the UC unions demanded to do joint bargaining around the issue of furloughs/concessions? What if UC couldn't play us against each other? What if there were other creative proposals that addressed the supposed financial emergency but didn't involve a wage cut/furlough.
Do people believe that if and when we get hit with the wage cut furloughs we're not gonna get laid off too?
Blah Blah Blah come in and support the Unions come on. Are coin is supporting the union, but I never see any solidarity between any of the other unions hell, the protests are pitiful. Laughable especially to the regents. People don't care about Clerks.
Why didn't Pres Yudof address the temps, limited and retirees layoffs. If they are critical to the mission, then they should become regular staff.
gm
maybe CUE could stop taking money from our paychecks. They are useless anyway.
Please do not fight this CUE! We need our jobs. Of course we don't like the idea of getting pay cuts, but it's better than lay offs. We all need our jobs and benefits. Do not put those in jeopardy! Please go along with what the Regents are recommending this time.
*********ATTENTION***********
FYI
AFTER THE BOARD MEETING LAST NIGHT THE REGENTS ATTENDED A PARTY HELD AT THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE WHICH COST $50,000!!!!
ARE YOU STILL HAPPY WITH FURLOUGHS AND PAYCUTS AFTER HEARING THIS?????
HMMMM....
I BET MOST OF YOU NEVER ATTENDED A CUE MEETING IN YOUR LIVES AND YOU HAVE THE NERVES TO SIT BACK AND TAKE WHAT THEY ARE DISHING OUT.
I AGREE WITH EVERYONE THAT'S SUFFERING LIKE MYSELF WHO'S BARELY MAKING ENDS MEET. WE HAVE TO BE STRONG AND STICK TOGETHER AND LET THEM KNOW WE WILL NOT BACK DOWN SO EASY.
WHERE I WORK IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE TO GET LAID OFF I'M SORRY!
"Anonymous said...
You know, the regents will just cut our appointments by the same amount as the furlough time, if we don't take their plan. And we will lose vacation/sick and retirement benefits. Or, they will continue to cut jobs. There have been lots of layoffs already and I don't want to be one.
It will be very difficult for people to manage, but it is better to still have a job, then to not have one at all. Especially in this economy.
At least, with the furloughs, we get a day off for losing the pay. And we will still have all of holidays paid. At this time, taking the furloughs is the only way to keep more people in their jobs."
I second that!
I keep seeing mention of the 1 year timetable. Maybe it escaped your notice, but there are large deficits (It hink 300M) for next year that still have not been covered- even with the furlough. Yudof also mentioned that it would last *at least* a year. I personally think this will be extended given that the last 2 times this has happened were less severe and each lasted 3 years...The Great Depression was not over in a year and neither will this be.
KK
This is so SAD to see most of the Cue Members are willing to let the regent do whatever they like. Look at AFSCME, they are much organized Union than CUE and they are not afraid to voice their Needs to UC!
We know they have the money to cut in other places, besides our paychecks! If they have no money why are they still building a new building. I know that a 10% decrease in the big wigs pay is nothing to them, what are they going to miss out on? A third or fourth trip of vacation? I know they can cut back on their pay more and cut back on what perks they are giving them.
I say fight on CUE!
FIGHT THEM TOOTH AND NAIL don't go down without a fight.
Anonymous said...
Blah Blah Blah come in and support the Unions come on.
I didn't say support the Unions, if your CUE, then voice your thoughts at the meetings instead of blogging. Grow a spine and fight for your job. Use CUE's backbone, firm it up, take advantage.
I want my job but I don't want a furlough. If other workers lose there jobs, so what, I have mine. That's what I am telling CUE. I'm gonna jump on CUE's backbone and tell them what I want, while you blog, blah, blah, blah.
qz
SHAKE THE TREE UC let the dead leaves fall so you can form your empire.
Please stay out of this Cue. I rather keep my job than to be laid off. Furloughs are a small sacrifice even though it may not be far and will be hard on everyone's budget but having no job is even worse. I'd rather lose a day of pay a month than to lose a year or more of pay. I don't want a paycut either but I rather have a job. Plus other agencies are worse off than us, most of the state agencies have already been on furloughs and some are having three furloughs a month across the board no matter how much you make. At lease UC is using a graduated system which is much more fair
A
CUE please stay out of this!!!! Your involvement and demands can only make things worse for us at this point. These are hard times for everyone right now and the main concern should be making sure we all stay employed!!!!
CUE needs to accept this and move on. I don't like this any more than anyone else. This is really going to hurt my pocket book but I dont want to lose my job. Its better to have a job than not have one at all. We need to suck it up, accept the furloughs and enjoy the extra time off we will get.
We are lucky, we still have a job.
a day off w/o pay is not that bad, it could be worse.
I used to work in Whole Foods, no pay holidays, no pension, pay was way, way under market.
The reality is that in this economy everyone has to sacrifice. Do you want a change?, get involved and work hard to remove republicans from office, after all they are the root of all California's problem.
*********ATTENTION***********
FYI
AFTER THE BOARD MEETING LAST NIGHT THE REGENTS ATTENDED A PARTY HELD AT THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE WHICH COST $50,000!!!!
ARE YOU STILL HAPPY WITH FURLOUGHS AND PAYCUTS AFTER HEARING THIS?????
HMMMM....
I BET MOST OF YOU NEVER ATTENDED A CUE MEETING IN YOUR LIVES AND YOU HAVE THE NERVES TO SIT BACK AND TAKE WHAT THEY ARE DISHING OUT.
I AGREE WITH EVERYONE THAT'S SUFFERING LIKE MYSELF WHO'S BARELY MAKING ENDS MEET. WE HAVE TO BE STRONG AND STICK TOGETHER AND LET THEM KNOW WE WILL NOT BACK DOWN SO EASY.
WHERE I WORK IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE TO GET LAID OFF I'M SORRY!
First everybody needs to stop bashing our union. If you don't want to be in the union get out. There is a process, just call them and they'll tell you what you need to do. Your paying dues anyway. Besides if we lost our jobs who'd pay the dues. I'm sure we'll have some kind of vote on this. I think we are all on the same page and it would be a unanimous decision to take the 4% and furloughs. I already have a two month furlough and am one of the lowest paid employess at UCSC. Can I afford to have more loss in pay HELL NO. But I would agree to this in a second because I do not want to see any of our colleagues lose their jobs.
pc
*********ATTENTION***********
FYI
AFTER THE BOARD MEETING LAST NIGHT THE REGENTS ATTENDED A PARTY HELD AT THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE WHICH COST $50,000!!!!
ARE YOU STILL HAPPY WITH FURLOUGHS AND PAYCUTS AFTER HEARING THIS?????
HMMMM....
I BET MOST OF YOU NEVER ATTENDED A CUE MEETING IN YOUR LIVES AND YOU HAVE THE NERVES TO SIT BACK AND TAKE WHAT THEY ARE DISHING OUT.
I AGREE WITH EVERYONE THAT'S SUFFERING LIKE MYSELF WHO'S BARELY MAKING ENDS MEET. WE HAVE TO BE STRONG AND STICK TOGETHER AND LET THEM KNOW WE WILL NOT BACK DOWN SO EASY.
WHERE I WORK IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE TO GET LAID OFF I'M SORRY!
No, get the demon-cratic and legislature out of office.
CUE keep our jobs, no furloughs.
zz
*********ATTENTION***********
FYI
AFTER THE BOARD MEETING LAST NIGHT THE REGENTS ATTENDED A PARTY HELD AT THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE WHICH COST $50,000!!!!
ARE YOU STILL HAPPY WITH FURLOUGHS AND PAYCUTS AFTER HEARING THIS?????
HMMMM....
I BET MOST OF YOU NEVER ATTENDED A CUE MEETING IN YOUR LIVES AND YOU HAVE THE NERVES TO SIT BACK AND TAKE WHAT THEY ARE DISHING OUT.
I AGREE WITH EVERYONE THAT'S SUFFERING LIKE MYSELF WHO'S BARELY MAKING ENDS MEET. WE HAVE TO BE STRONG AND STICK TOGETHER AND LET THEM KNOW WE WILL NOT BACK DOWN SO EASY.
WHERE I WORK IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE TO GET LAID OFF I'M SORRY!
Why are we arguing among ourselves, when we should be voicing our concerns to the Regent's. I am a single parent, I truly can't afford to lose my job or do the furlough dance. How am I going to make it... AT
Same here I am a single mom and same situation with 2 kids and it is bad enough not getting a pay increase. I do really hope that are union will look at our best interest and votes NO on not accepting the Regents proposal. The furlough will be affecting us in more ways than what they are just making it seem.
CUE don't accept furlough. Please.
ax
Anonymous
I want the CUE to accept the furloughs, these are very tough times for everyone and I do not see why we should be treated any different at this time from other employees that are not represented by the unions. It will only get worse and there will be layoffs for sure if we do not except the same terms as non union employees. Cue has not had great sucess with bargining in the past and lost retirement money for their employees in the past. Bottom line I would rather have my job then no job. These are tough times and they are not going to get better any time soon, we all need to face facts.
This entire proposal is absurd. I am an AA and the state pays 0% of my salary, but yet I am required to take a pay cut "because it is only fair". The state got us into this mess, they should figure out a way to get us out of it. As others have stated, state salaries are already low compared to the rest of the country, and the cost of living and state income taxes are extremely high. The cost of living continues to rise for us all. I honestly don't see how families make ends meet these days. I am single and have a difficult time. Why can't the Regents tap into the nonrestricted funds - it's only for a year.
There is a time and a place for a Union. This is not the time to nor the place CUE! The goal at this point is to keep our jobs!
I asked a co-worker about the Temps on campus and was told that they would stay, but I would get "priority" in hiring on campus if I lose my job here. Oh, I'll sleep much better now. Temps will keep their jobs on campus, but I'll get furloughed or let go...GO TEAM UC!!!
AT
I agree, why should we get cut. I want my job and full pay. NO FURLOUGHS! Layoff those temps, retirees and limited. We don't need t hem on our campus.
cx
I agree stay out of this CUE
I agree with NoodleNoggins and Diana. I don't want a paycut either, I cannot afford that but, to take a stand rather than fold to their furlough and paycut! It should not have come to this and it was not our doings and we have to pay for it...NO WAY!!!
My husband says that the state is "eating her young" - it is having problems financially, so it's coming to its "children", hoping to bail them out. I don't know what they hope to gain from reducing our pay, as it will mean less tax revenue for the state.
Having said that, I agree with most of the bloggers who say that having an unpaid day per month is better than a full month's unpaid days! Though I would like CUE to get us the best deal, you can't get blood from a turnip, and I would rather have a temporary reduction than be unemployed like so many in CA.
Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance----
Friday, January 18, 2008- LA Times
(01-18) 04:00 PDT Los Angeles --
The UC Board of Regents got a gloomy list of options on Thursday to cover a projected $417 million gap in state funding next year, but they smiled brightly on their top administrative aide by awarding her a 26 percent pay increase of $61,000.
The raise boosted the annual salary of Secretary/Chief of Staff Diane Griffiths to $295,000 and came less than a year after she was hired.
Minutes later, the board received a dire budget report that included possible student fee increases of up to 10 percent, freezing faculty salaries and turning away as many as 5,000 eligible students this fall.
Seems to be a pattern...
If we HAVE TO accept the furloughs and paycuts, let's do so carefully and wisely by allowing the union to negotiate some sort of guarantee or agreement that UC will not make these furloughs/cuts permanently, and will NOT make future cuts to our benefits and/or retirement.
Teresa Medina
Having been at this job for a year and seeing the benefits and that we either are given or pay very little for I personally think that it is time for some people to realize that you have it really good and stop whining. Noodlenoggins stated that her department just spent an enormous amount of money on conference room furniture. Is there an oversight committee at UC? Turn the person in that approved the unnecessary expenditure, have some kind of system that takes the monies from their salary and or bonuses. I have worked for privately owed companies and for publically held companies and can tell you for sure that this is the only place that I have ever worked that people expect holidays, raises, and benefits and then complain when they are expected to work. I am not saying that everyone is not doing their share. But Good Grief people you really do not know how good you have it. Do I want to loose 4% of my pay? NO! Do I want to take an extra unpaid day a month off? NO! Am I grateful for a job that allows me to pay my bills and have health insurance? Yes! Do I think that the cuts and furloughs are fair? Yes! If the UC system has to make cuts at least they are cutting everyone, and the more you make the more you pay. Do I see lots of waste and extravagant spending still? YES!!! The UC system is in desperate need of an oversight office and a REALITY Check. If the budget is tight you have burgers, hot dogs and sodas not wine and caviar. At no time in our lives are we guaranteed anything. It is time to work for what you want and appreciate what you have.
"Pissed Off" We get the picture ... Please stop posting that over and over.
I just had a departmental meeting this morning and we were updated on what is going on here ...
No matter what, at my campus, I will have a reduction in pay. I will either loose pay through the University Furlough plan or the University will have to reduce my hours (which CUE can do nothing about). I would rather keep my full benefits and go with the plan.
CUE will most likely agree with the furloughs in the end anyway...
~S
This is totally the time and place for a Union people, what do you think a Union is for?! We pay for it and I want to see results. I like knowing CUE can stand fast. We never get increases, parking dues have gone up, etc. My pay is peanuts and I am not willing to give up ANYTHING that I have right now!! I am not willing to succumb so fight for us CUE!!
Come on CUE, what are you doing??? TEMPS (AA, clerks, front desk) keep their jobs, while we get pay cuts furloughs and unemployment? You have got to be kidding me! You only have two choices here, lead us or get the hell out of the way! Do your homework, you have to inform us better for the amount money we all pay. You should have everything lined up and penciled in. There shouldn't be a question, that can't be answered, instead of the maybe this or maybe that!!! Are you secretly working for the Regent's? Cause you are acting like your sleeping with them (pun intended!}
Just another pissed off AA
Amanda - Amen to that!
My husband was laid off in March and has no prospect of another job in sight. At least I am working (my job is our only source of income)and thankfully I am able to cover him on my insurance.
Hey, I have an idea! If you really want to help us out return a portion of our monthly dues or temporarily suspend collection until the furlough is lifted. If you are unwilling to do that, butt out.
Seriously, butt out.
I’m ok with the furloughs/pay reduction equivalent but the salary tiers and percentages for Union represented employees could be modified. The Cue employees do not even receive a 4% average increases; my experience over fourteen years has been an average of 2% -3% (and that includes a re-class), I have received 4% only five times during the fourteen years.
I would suggest that the percent/tiers should go something like this: non-union Confidential, and class 99 = $0-50,000 3%-4%$50,001- $60,000-4% or 5%,(CX Union only) = $0-50,000 2%
$0-50,000 , $50,001- $60,000-3% Ocer $61 as follows
$60.001-$90,000 6%
$90,001-$180,000 8%
$180,001 –$ 240,000 10%
Over $240,000 12%
Hope you can understand this represented should have different percentages and tiers. Linda
Who says we would lose our jobs altogether!? CUE can stand firm and continue negotiations. If CUE gets back to us to say we are looking at losing our jobs then we can come back to this proposal of furlough and pay reduction. I don't understand why so many are willing to just roll over.
Someone said "I'm with a lot of people here...CUE--stay out of it."
Well, I am with a lot of people here...CUE--fight for us, we are already so underpaid.
CUE, the best way you can protect us right now is by not engaging in unproductive arguments that will cause layoffs. I can live with the furloughs, even if it's tough. Please don't make me lose my job, especially since I had no say in joining the union.
amused that much of this banter occured during working hours...there's some irony in it
An unfortunate aspect of being human is that we tend to be REACTIVE instead of PROACTIVE.
And in a crisis everyone points fingers at everyone else. UC is trying to place the entire blame on the state, and some of us are pointing fingers at each other.
Reaction instead of action is why we are in this mess to begin with. UC was REACTIVE to the state budget crisis instead of being PROACTIVE and actively seeking out alternatives. They were reactive and implemented the reactionary measures we have seen.
Indeed, being proactive instead of reactive was a theme at the Regent's meeting yesterday. Even the Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi challenged the Regents to be more proactive in finding additional funding, and supporting pending legislation on oil extraction tax that could generate around $1 billion for higher education this fiscal year. And he basically told them (in much more polite words than this) to get off their Bureaucratic Duffs and work towards doing things that would benefit everyone. (He also voted against the furloughs by the way)
Yes I'm upset, and yes I've done some hand wringing, but I think I'm more annoyed than scared. I'm on a tight budget and probably now may have to find a way to make up around $250.00 a month working a second job. I hope not to be reduced to this level but I may wind up twriling a sign on a street corner for a crappy $9.00 an hour or dressing in a chicken suit handing out samples in a supermarket to make ends meet. (I swear, I almost asked that chicken I saw the other day doing that if he had any openings in his organization!) But I'm trying to be more proactive and seek viable solutions.
So go ahead and bash CUE if it makes you feel better, but remember this. CUE is NOT the enemy here. CUE is not some unfeeling nebulous entity dictating our futures.
WE ARE CUE.
As a due-paying CUE member you have a vote in anything that may be finally proposed.
CUE is here to support you, NOT take away your livelihood.
Yudof, like the evil emperor in Star Wars, is probably rubbing his hands together gleefully and saying "Good, good, CUE members, fight amongst yourselfs! Give into the Dark side!"
Let's take some of that pent up anger and fight together proactively, not against one another reactively.
Find out more about CUE and then decide for yourselfs. If you still don't like it,fine. But give it a chance.
I know nothing I said is going to put more food on the table, or may make things better, but keep your options open.
I'm going to support CUE and give them a chance. And I always have my back up plan of standing on a street corner in a chicken suit twirling a sign for extra income.
Linda Michelle
So the faculty, management, at-will employees all will be taking furloughs on a sliding scale according to their pay grades. Students will pay more for tuition. Grants and scholarships will be fewer. Lecturers will not be rehired.
HELLO CUE members! Are your skills so unique that you are worth more than the above mentioned groups? We are just the worker bees.
Get real. We are in a deep recession that will probably get worse since our Congress and the current administration are spending like drunken sailors. (No offense to the Navy)
We need to be realistic and acknowledge that everyone will feel the pain.
KM
I am really surprise to see so many comments to ask CUE to STOP and STAY OUT. Nobody wants to lose
their jobs, nobody wants to have their pays cut and nobody wants the no-paid holidays or furloughs. Then LOOK FOR BETTER SOLUTIONS instead of pointing fingers and whine without doing your part.
Can the 4 UNIONS work together for a better proposals (GO FOR UNITY)! With no support from CUE members/ complainers, how can CUE do/fight anything for our rights, we all know this is an illegal scam and manipulatiions from the BIG CROOKS from above. How much $$$ were wasted from the State Funds before,
instead of giving us a better rate
for our hard-work; if we GIVE IN so easily, then will follow the
next steps (cut our benefits too),
later will cut our percentage with
no benefits. WHY!!! because the big lump sum that save from cutting
phase 1, 2, 3 will build up their
BIG BONUS when finish their terms
@ UCs. Do you know UC Medical Centers make over millions profit EVERY MONTH, and Campus have Grants
and Fundings from donations too. UCs are not poor, just that they were used to lavish expendings and now they have to be tighten a bit.
Pls. STAY TOGETHER & WORK TOGETHER,
try to get a WIN-WIN, try to get a good reason & acceptable bargarins.
Thanks! v
Like Tina, I'm a single mother with 2 kids, not accepting alimony or child support. Furloughs and pay cuts will have a great impact on my budget and savings and I know it's not easy but what can I do. It's hard to look for a full or part time job elsewhere.I'm just thankful, I still have a job and I'd rather keep it than fight.
G
TO V-
Reality check. I'm ordering that for you. Everyone leaving a comment about the possibility of losing their jobs is speaking out. We are scared. We have responsibilities. One of them being children and their mouths we must feed. I think we all want to be paid more but right now is not the time to ask for more money. CUE should step back and deal with the situation. The state of our economy is not a joke. I'm all for unity and right now, we are uniting and saying "CUE , accept the proposal" Can our reps live with themselves when people get laid off? Can they look at themselves in the mirror every morning?
I don't agree with the furloughs, as I am paid on federal money and private money. Money going out of my pocket will go back to the grant and never reach the State. No one benefits here! I am happy to have a job, but again money out of my pocket will just go to more supplies or wasted on something else.
I'd like to say thank you for creating this blog. It is a way to speak out, vent, but also to unify in a whole new way - which can only help us at this time. I have been on the fence about being in a union, since I began working for UC almost a year and a half ago. I have been hoping for more communication from CUE and really, it's nice to see them taking action and at least helping us communicate amongst ourselves. (It would also be nice to hear from our CUE reps on here as well.)
The first few comments on this thread really made sense to me...to ask CUE not to get involved for fear of having things get worse for us all than just having a furlough day each month. But then, reading the last few comments, also started making sense to me as well.
So my two cents worth that I'd like to throw in right now is that I feel that this isn't the final solution just because the Regents voted for it. CUE represents us little wigs and some of the lowest paid staff in all of the UCs. If CUE can fight for something - tell us what you can fight for and have us vote on it. I promise I will become a paying member if you give me good enough reason to join and vote.
CUE - don't be stupid and get us laid off! If we're going to have to reduce pay and go to furloughs so be it - I'd rather have that then NO JOB! At least with furloughs we get some time off which everyone can appreciate!
Back-off!
All you people who talk about fighting this, where were you when the picket signs were handed out? Did YOU walk the lines? This entire CUE is a joke! I'm at the Irvine Med Center and as far as I'm concerned there is NO UNION! We all need to "take the medicine" and hopefully we'll get better!
sure i vote 'no' on the furloughs and pay cuts, but someone needs to be the scapegoat. how much of a cut is the top brass receiving?
i haven't heard anything from cue since the reagents voted...?
For the sake of those with dependents and mortgages....take the furloughs. Residents in the state of California are facing serious financial crises. Layoffs will only push more folks into bankruptcy.
Do I resent four years of no raises while the cost of living has risen by 20%. Of course. But pushing more individuals into unemployment will not help the situation.
We need to be patient, ride out the storm and help those who need it to recovery.
I vote NO to accepting the Regents' proposal. WHY IS THIS THE ONLY OPTION BEING PRESENTED? When the UC system had the money, we didn't receive merit nor cost of living increases, and thus we are already so far behind in pay as it is. We were always told they couldn't afford to give us increases. Yet, we watched the lavish wasteful spending (and it continues-see the comment re the $50K party after the Regents met). When Yudof was appointed, he received an annual base salary of $591,084, supplemental pension funding of $228,00 in 2008-09, a yearly automobile allowance of $8,916, university provided housing, funds for entertainment, etc., etc. Have any of these items been cut? WE NEED TO TELL THEM WE CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE THE CUTS. If they lay us all off as threatened, just who will do our jobs?
I would like to see Cue post the bonus amounts that the managers get for laying us off (if that's the case)
I am torn- I believe strongly in the cause for the fight, and I thankful that CUE is looking out for our best interest, but I fear the possibility of being laid off.
Thank you-
Hi, i do have to agree with Teri with her words of " being bitter and the statement that we better agree or face layoffs sounds like a slap in the face to me". There are so many high paying faculties and the regents are also high paid people. They are the ones that should be getting the chopped of the knife. They know this, but being selfish they cannot help themselves.
Look at it this way, If the real high pay workers (faculties /regents) would take the proper cuts the little men (people) us, would not have to take a furlough, nor have to get cut from their jobs. We are not the ones that put us here. California does not need more poor people on the streets nor people getting paid by unemployment checks. This form of crisis California needs people to be working together. Money will not always be there but people will. HELP US KEEP OUR JOB AND OUR PAY. THERE ARE OTHER WAYS OUT THERE TO GET THE MONEY NEEDED. OPEN YOUR EYES, EMBRACE THE FACTS THAT THE HIGHER PAID PEOPLE NEED TO LET GO OF THEIR MONEY.........ITS THE ONLY WAY.......HOW DO YOU EXPECT THE UNIVERSITY TO FUNCTION PROPERLY WITH ALL THE SMALL PEOPLE GONE!!!!
There is nobody here at UCSC that wants to loose their jobs much less get a pay cut. If you look at what the faculties paid just to teach the kids a subject that they love and master and they do not want to put in their share of cuts. It is only temporarily. I mean 8% cuts from them is not a hell lot comparing to the little men. If you take 4% from the little people they feel the pinch. I still would try to get the money from the higher really high paying people. People who gets $200,000 a year .. Look at that numbers. The people they are cutting off are the ones that are like getting $40,000 a year. Look at the difference in pay.
Please try not to cut our pay, we are living check to check without any dealing with debts. Imagine when you cut the pay. The babies will starve with the parents.
I would rather have a job, but perhaps CUE can negotiate lower furloughs/pay cuts. We're not the highest paid group in the system.
I work at UCDMC and AFSME and CNA have all settled their contracts and received significant raises and will have their cuts off of them. CUE, however, has not settled and if we take the cuts it will be a much larger hit. Yes, the reality is that we will all have to be victims of the times and be furloghed, but we need to still work on the negotiations.
I am tired of everyone whinning about the high level people cutting THEIR pay...come on!! They are taking cuts too! Although to most of us, it doesnt seem fare, but thats just life. WE are all fighting for our lives right now, lets stay on track and keep our focus on the real issue..OUR JOBS!! If we get laid off, will it really matter how much of a cut the big shots took...I say NO! They will still have jobs, we wont!!! Lets move on.....
As difficult as it will be, I believe the best plan for me and my family would be to take the furlough days. I am a single mom of 3 working full-time and going to school full-time. I don't receive any child support and do not qualify for any public assistance. While the furlough plan, which are equal to a 6% pay cut, creates a financial hardship, I could make up for it by taking on a second job or using the time off to concentrate on my studies and seek more scholarship or loan opportunities. As a result, I will be faced with many difficult financial decisions and spend less time with my children. I understand that tough times require tough sacrifices. While my employer has the opportunity to cut my pay, unfortunately, I am unable to tell my mortgage or utility company and bill collectors that I am going to cut their payments and they will have to absorb the difference.
I am thankful I have a job and don’t have to worry about the possibility of being laid off or that I might lose my health and retirement benefits, at least not at this moment. I appreciate all the options being considered and am somewhat satisfied with the outcome. I hope that when the economy is back on track, all the sacrifices we've made are not forgotten and we are compensated adequately.
“Agreements from labor unions will be needed for the cuts to go into effect for many UC employees, and some labor leaders have said they will resist them. UC President Mark G. Yudof said today that negotiations will start soon. He warned that layoffs worth about $184 million in salaries, the amount the furloughs are expected to save, could be in the works if the unions all refuse to accept the plan.”
-Stated online in the LA Times 7/17
(http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/07/uc-regents-approve-furlough-plan-discuss-winter-fee-increase.html)
I would beg CUE and CUE Union members to please not fight this! If they fight, we lose our jobs and then we're left with NOTHING! I would rather have a job with benfits then not to have a job going bankrupt... Please do not fight this! Keep your JOB!
I have been working at UCB for a few years now. I came from the private sector and initially was very excited about being part of a labor union and working for a public institution.
Even though I find some of the senior execs salaries outrageous, and see wasted money in all sorts of places, I am also disappointed at the level of unprofessionalism and mediocrity with CUE and many legacy employees. There are definitely many outstanding and stellar people but they get lost in the crowd.
Low salaries require some kind of protection and solidarity, but a good majority of the represented I have worked with have such an extremely easy day, and do very little that would be called work. They sit on emails for months, blog and chat on the phone all day, etc.
Given the low salaries for these positions, but amazing, almost unrealistically good benefits, and incredibly slow pace of work with virtually no pressure from above, it is clear that most people who have been in these positions for years do not understand how well they have it.
Take really smart steps on how you handle the Regents plan as our representatives. Yes the $50K junket is misguided at best, but if I were you I would focus a lot less on that and a lot more or gaining the respect of the people you represent. Talking about the junket is a good way to divert their attention away from what you are not doing. There is a great deal of resentment from the ranks for what little you do and how much it costs them per paycheck. You collect way more than $50K per month in union fees.
There are a lot of members who want to get ahead in their jobs, are extremely overqualified, but are stuck and having to work with protections for people who have seniority but haven't worked for years and want to continue the old way.
Your job as CUE is to try to stay relevant with the changing times. Continuing the ways of the past is not a strategy for the future and is surely going to create more problems for all of us who appreciate that what we have is not that great, but a lot better than the alternative. We will take a small hit and we'll find a way to make do with less.
Be smart and don't blow it on our behalf. It is very easy to want things to remain the way the same old way, but reality is very different. We need to move forward and realize what is good overall. How about a performance- rather than seniority-based system where you negotiate higher salaries for those that work well?
We have built all these exaggerated disparities over the past few decades with senior execs making unbelievable money, and unions getting away with outrageous benefits and protections. What we have ended up with is two extremes who have turned this into a race to the bottom.
There is a middle road somewhere in there, and whoever captures it will have a future.
Rest assured that I have no stomach for the big comp packages of the execs either.
I wish CUE would respond to some of these post. Let us know what they are thinking.
I totally and positively and absolutely Second this statement: I prefer CUE stay out of this and let the UC Regents do what they need to do. If you fight this, we will all be laid off, paid out and basically left to hang. I would get out of this union if I could. A pay cut and some furlough days off are much better than losing our jobs and good luck trying to find another one!! Please work this out with the Regents and lets move on!!!
I saw Mary Higgins screaming on TV and she looks like a crazed psychotic mad-woman. She exacerbates the worker's situation.
CUE Statewide Officers
(found on http://www.cueunion.org/contacts/statewide.php
President:
Khixaan Obioma-Sakhu, Santa Barbara term: 2008-2010
sbcueprez@gmail.com
Northern Vice President:
Anytra Henderson, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab term: 2008-2010
calisunshineqt@gmail.com
Southern Vice President:
Maria La Barrie, Riverside term: 2008-2010
labarriejm@yahoo.com
Secretary:
Stephanie Dorton, Berkeley / UCOP term: 2008-2010
sdorton@law.berkeley.edu
Treasurer:
Susan Ervin, Los Angeles term: 2008-2010
itslakers@yahoo.com
Chief Steward:
Mary Higgins, San Francisco term: 2008-2010
sfcuemary@gmail.com
I vote yes to the furloughs and keep my job. I would prefer CUE stay out of this too and let the UC Regents do what they need to do to keep us working.
I am in total agreement with Karen. There is no moderate voice in any of this. I am glad that people are speaking up against the old ways.
More of us need to do so.
There is a lot of built-up resentment over the low pay, lack of cost of living increase, but we are not proposing any fresh ideas to move out of that rut. Seniority is great for those who have it, but what motive does someone have to work if they are covered by seniority and pref rehire rules?
There needs to be a connection between pay and actual work output.
We really are completely detached from the outside world. The salaries ARE low, but we don't have a system that rewards good work with good pay. What we have is a system that rewards good work with excessive pay, or no work for very little pay.
We need to come to something more sensible. I don't want anyone to suffer from these cutbacks, but I also wonder what I would do if I were payroll and had to figure out a way to make do with less money.
These are really tough times and its a hard choice to make. I am a part time (career) employee who does the job of a full time person. My husband lost his job and I am my family of 4's only source of income. Do I like taking more days unpaid, no. But I don't like being threatened that we will loose our jobs if we don't agree with the proposal. I also don't like others on this board suggesting some of us who are not in their level get laid off. Yes, we all see money wasted constantly by upper management. I agree that their should be more oversight. Why should everyone in a dept. go to the same meeting when UC is hurting(travel expenses are very high), I hate having to purchase from a very expensive furniture vendor, etc. But what can we do. I agree, I would rather have a job than loose my job right now. I know people who have been looking for a job for a long time and still have had no luck.
I cant believe all you people saying that CUE should stay out of it. No CUE should fight for us!!!! i see money coming in here checks for 200,000 to 500,000to the university where is that money going to??? why dont they start cutting some bonuses for the people that dont deserve it up there. We bust our asses off everyday working hard!!! and we get paid very little!!! the university should budget on the spending they do!!!!!
I agree with folks, I'd rather take a furlough day than a job loss, BUT, wow! when you look at what the folks like Pres Yudof make...these furloughs will mean that folks like us won't be able to pay our utilities, cover the cost of groceries, our rent/mortgages, etc. These furloughs/pay cuts will mean the likes of the UC elite might not go to Hawaii this summer or travel Europe and instead have to settle for a simple trip to Yosemite. I can assure you these cuts aren't going to affect their ability to provide for their families basic needs. There's something seriously amuck when upper administration is looking to take from the "barely surviving" in order to preserve their gluttonous paychecks. This is not just a financial dilemma, it's an ethical one. I don't see REAL sacrifice for the sake of the university in this plan - I here the talk, I'm not seeing the walk.
I'd rather have furloughs than lay-offs. And, I'd rather be non-represented. I've been here for two years, had top performance reviews and no raise. No step increase. No bonus. In fact, now I'll get to take home less.
What is the deal with bonuses, anyway? Some bonuses we "CUE" people aren't allowed to receive and other types we can receive, but only up to a certain amount? While non-represented & other union workers get higher bonuses. WHY would you limit bonuses?
Thanks, CUE. Hope you got that "all important" uniform issue worked out. The rest of us could have used a raise before taking this cut.
Yup, furlough is the way to go. The union should NOT obstruct this plan. No plan would ever be 100% fair to 100% of everyone. We can all live through the slight inequities and Hopefully we will all live long enough to chuckle about this in years to come...
I join with others on this blog imploring the unions to let this one go. Although I do have questions as to where this campus surplus is and why it is being kept under wraps, realistically, it will not keep day-to-day operations going very long. No one likes having furloughs. I have been down this road before, having retired 20 years in federal civil service before coming to the UC system. However, taking a pay cut is infinitely better than layoffs which you can bet will happen.
"All you people"? Please check your grammar before posting. You want to make sure your post is taken seriously and proper grammar will help. Now, engage in reading either an online or newspaper article regarding the UC furlough/salary reductions. Please note that the Regents are not messing around with their decision. We will be laid off if we put up a fight. Remember what the Unions did for the grocery store employees back in 2003? That's right; they all lost their jobs when the unions could not agree. New non-union employees were brought in to replace them. Stores were shut down and they still have not fully recovered. Is this really what we want? CUE has had plenty of time in the past to fight for us and negotiate wage increases, etc. They clearly missed the boat on that opportunity for us and instead focused on matters like uniform requirements. The CHP just got notified last week that they will have across the board 4 furlough days per month. The CHP does not even have the great medical benefits that we have. It could be worse for us. So, if you want to fight then go ahead but you better put some time aside in the mist of it all to revise your resume and pray that you can find a new job.
Yes, pay cuts should start at the top, money is mismanaged, and it is extremely unfair that we get so few raises compared to just about everyone else in this university. Clerical staffers are the only ones without longevity raises (except SF Medical Center clerical employees--which is another source of frustration for those of outside of the medical center). This is all frustrating and has been for as long as I can remember. I've been here almost twenty years. We did better when AFSCME represented clerical staffers.
I guess I'm cynical, but I don't expect any good to come from CUE's fighting this. And they won't win. Inequity between higher and lower paid employees won't go away and neither will other circumstances that we are rightfully outraged about. I don't trust this union to do what is best for us or pick its battles sensibly. Get real.
CUE, please, please, please choose your battles wisely. I implore you accept the Regents' proposals during this economic crisis. Once the economy improves your cooperation will be a valuable bargaining tool. I believe that resistance at this time is futile and can only cause harm to those you wish to protect.
- Mary at UCI
Well, I was reclassified in Aug. 08and was promised it would be retroactive from Oct. 08. To date I have not seen the reclass. It was approved and apparently is sitting on someone's desk. And now I am told that I will have my pay cut? No, I am not happy about this but at least I have a job and am grateful to work here.
For the people showing no love for CUE, please remember this:
CUE is an independent union and is as strong as it membership. It is not affiliated with a larger national union as are other unions representing campus workers: Academic Student Workers are afilliated with United Auto Workers, Service workers are affiliated with AFSCME and and UPTE although initially independent is now affiliated with CWA-AFl-CIO.
The issue with CUE may be that in this economic climate an small, independent union may not be able to bring leverage of a large national union to the bargaining table.
Prior to CUE, UC clericals were represented by AFSCME. Perhaps what we need to think about is whether CUE is the right union for us, not that we just don't need a union.
Without representation we will have no rights or recourse and be at the complete mercy of the Regents/UC Admin.
CUE is clueless; they should be fighting to preserve our jobs, not for raises or using reserve funds for salaries.
CUE's rhetoric is reminiscent of the UAW. That kind of advocacy will result in layoffs.
CUE, are you listening? I need my job and benefits. Bring on the furloughs.
If we all work together as a union we can accomplish more instead of giving up.
If we do nothing then the university will walk all over us! I think we should wait til CUE say something then decide what's right.
CUE MEMBERS ARE WEAK AND THAT'S WHY OUR UNION NEVER WIN BECAUSE OF LOSERS LIKE YOURSELVES! WE HAVE TO STAND TOGETHER INSTEAD OF LETTING THE UNIVERSITY SCREW US WITH NO GREASE....
It's unfortunate that we suffer due to Ca. legislature's inadequacy to balance the budget. Too bad we can't propose furloughs/salary reductions for each of the reps. in the state capitol who got us in this mess.
However, here we are and I ask CUE to please move forward with the regent's suggestions. Yes, we're receiving the shorter end of the stick, however, I'm still glad that I've got a job to hang onto. Furlough/salary reduction vs. no job? No contest... a job is better than no job.
J
Well said Joy.
Why is it that some of you keep saying we are getting "screwed"? Look around, for the past two years the economy has been tanking. People have been losing their jobs all over the place. I'm surprised that WE havent been hit with this budget issue sooner! If the worst we deal with is some time off and a pay cut, we need to be very grateful to still get up everyday and have a job to go to....CUE...BACK OFF!!!!
Is it possible to oust a union?? If so, sign me up!
UCSD
Posted by Anonymous Friday, July 17, 2009 1:50:00 PM
"CUE MEMBERS ARE WEAK AND THAT'S WHY OUR UNION NEVER WIN BECAUSE OF LOSERS LIKE YOURSELVES! WE HAVE TO STAND TOGETHER INSTEAD OF LETTING THE UNIVERSITY SCREW US WITH NO GREASE....]"
Are you serious? I'm a loser and weak?
I've been reading some of the recent comments and couldn't help but wonder how much waste the UC system generates as a whole. I just threw away over 200 campus magazines that we did not need and mail services would not pick up. Perhaps it's a small thing but situations like this add up to dollars that could be better spent somewhere else. Just a thought, look around you and see what you can do to save the UC system. We need to pull together, not tear each other apart. I'm just grateful that we are being asked our opinion and being offered options.
I agree with Anon's post (Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:47:00 PM). I work at UC Davis and this was Central HR's response to the rumor stating that all union employees would be laid-off if the neither the UC nor the unions were successful in negotiating furloughs and/or paycuts: "No, the UCs will not lay off all union employees wholesale. However, this budget cut will go into effect regardless. This means that whatever monies cannot be saved via furloughs and/or paycuts WILL HAVE TO BE saved via lay-offs." To me, this translates into: If your union won't agree to furloughs and/or paycuts, then your chances (as a represented employee) of being laid-off will increase (as dictated by your hiring unit).
I don't like the furloughs/paycuts anymore than anyone else (I will lose $150.00 per month that should be spent on food and medicine), but I'd rather take a furlough over unemployment.
I imagine a good number of anti-CUE comments could be from non-CUE members (management perhaps? Specialists analysts supervisors etc) let us not be too discouraged. It is human nature to be jealous and are probably envious of our union protection. We should be standing up for cue at a time like this.
In solidarity!
Anon AA II
Anonymous said
Is it possible to oust a union?? If so, sign me up!
UCSD
I agree! What a waste of money for dues! Has anyone noticed that the website has not been updated for about 5 years?
Why haven't we heard anything from our statewide CUE leaders? I keep checking my email hoping there will be a communication explaining what comes next and how they intend to find out from us, the members of the union, exactly what we want them to do on our behalf.
I agree with 7/18 8:55 am, why hasn't CUE asked for our opinion?
jm @ ucd
I believe CUE is asking our opinions and it seems to me most are expressing an opinion in each post I have read. What I don't understand is why any of us are willing to go belly up... happy to accept a 4% cut and/or a furlough to avoid threat of lay offs. Are we all nuts? We are not the university's disposable resource so start believing in yourselves and your abilities as an AA. The university would come to a screeching halt if each one of us suddenly disappeared.
There is power in knowledge and information. Visit http://www.sacbee.com/statepay/ and witness first hand the salary abuse of UC’s upper management. Then come back here and tell me you want to swallow a cut in your all ready underpaid salary.
When this information was first posted by the Sacramento Bee, our California Legislators became just as irate and the public and went into action. The message from our law makers to the Regents was to stop the abuse and cut the fat. Interesting how Yudof, the Regents and our UC upper management leaders interrupt it to say cut the underpaid support staffers rather than to trim away the top heavy management level FAT. Aren't you sick of being treated like garbage and the university's disposable resource?
I want CUE not to drop to their knees to accept pay cuts, furloughs or lay offs for AAs while faculty and upper management continue to receive merits and perks.
I vote we stand firm and show upper management our worth. Ask yourself what if all the AAs were suddenly not available? What if it happened on a move-in day? The first day of classes? During a Counselor Conference? An award deadline or even Michelle Obama's visit? What if it were Monday or Friday across each campus that every single AA suddenly disappeared? No one to answer their phones. No one to make their copies. No one to sort their mail. No one to process their reimbursements. No one to answer their questions or take their abuse. Can you imagine the chaos? Force upper management to see the value in having an AA at a desk.
Quite honestly, if we don't take the cut the scenario you imagine will be true -- only those AAs will be missing because they will have been given layoff notices. Even with the salary savings from the furloughs, there are still going to be layoffs (already in my department there have been three layoffs and it has been made clear to me that without the savings from furloughs, there will be deeper cuts and those not taking the furloughs will be the targets of those cuts).
We can rage all we want about salaries and perks for faculty and higher-ups but when push comes to shove, they will do away with us to save their own skins.
And if you are expecting the rank and file to walk out, then you are badly misreading how staff are feeling. Unemployment in California is over 11%, there are few jobs out there right now and certainly not many that offer the kind of benefits (health, pension) we have. Workers are going to do whatever they can to hold on to their jobs and try to ride out the hard times.
We are little cogs in the great big machine. Yes, we play a minor but necessary role. But as for whether the university would collapse if we all disappeared – I don't we would be missed all that much.
For those who are young, now is the time to get training and make yourselves irreplaceable. We old timers are just going to have to ride out the storm.
I have read most of the comments, and I feel, that if we all stick togather, and fight we can make a big move. We are already ten years behind in pay now. The regents 100K club and above need to take a 50% cut in pay, they do nothing but sit down and make up rules as they go along. I do not see any of the presidents or there assistants, to assistants, taking a cut in pay. It's only fair, the cuts start at the top. In the end result, i personally feel though "Cue", you have let us down alot, you do not stand or fight for our raises like Afsme or local 250. Yes, I can agree, this union is a big joke. If Cue, would take a postive stand, and be about the business of your members, we would have more confidence in this union. We are still waiting for the raises, we have yet to receive. The Regents, think you are a joke anyway. Personally, Cue, you have failed us, so many times, you need to refund our money back, for the good you do. The regents could care less about those making less than 100k, or lower. This is why they do what they do. And Yudof, surely doesnt care, he will get his raise no matter what happens. He want miss 5%, this is not even pocket change for him. The bounses to the managers or still going to happen no matter what kinda of crisis we are in. There still building hospitals, even though we are not receivng the $813 million dollars from the stste. UC REGENTS are oppertunist, by any means necessary they will screw you. As long as UCSF have people that are too afraid of there shadow, we will always get screwed.
Peace to ya..
Cue, Why? Do we even need you? We are still ten years behind on raises. You do not fight for our decent raises, you let the UCSF REGENTS, do your members any kind of way. The Regents, could care less about there employees, making less than 50k. If the president of UCSF cared so much about the little person, he would give up 50% of his salary. He really would not miss it. And the 100k, and above club, would take a 20% cut, in salary. I believe UCSF have proved to the employees of UCSF, just how much they care. Just looked at your pay check before the cut. As long as there are people who are afraid of there shadow working for the UC SYSTEM, we will never get a decent raise or income. We are no better than United Airlines, I guess next we will loose our retirement also. Why not, we have lost money over the yrs anyway. We are still owed money from the times when, there was no money crisis. UCSF loves to play games with our heads, everyone in every site, need to walk right out of here, and let the 100k and above work the sites.
I hope CUE fights for us. We do not need another pay cut!
With the state of the economy I do not think that it would be wise to fight. I would much rather have a job with benefits than no job at all! I have alot of friends that have lost their jobs and cannot find another one. I say, be thankful for what we have. Continue the fight in better times.
Furloughs are the only option. Be thankful we don't have to take a 14% cut of 3 furlough days for state clerical employees.
Our dues pay to CUE should be reduced at least by the same furlough amount we have to take. It is our money.
I've not read all the posts, but a lot of them. "Stay out Cue" -- "I'd rather have a job..." -- etc., etc.,
All of us have choices. Some better than others. We can choose to find other work besides the University of California. Will we have the same great benefits? Maybe, maybe not.
I agree that CUE could make a bigger mess of things with the Regents, but if enough of us stood together with the right Press communications, we might have a small chance. If CUE calls for a strike, I just might strike.
What I fear is that this is just a beginning. They say it's only until August 2010, but what if they take away more? What if they extend it for another year...and the next? What if they tell us they can't afford the health benefits? We'll have to start paying more for that...?
The furloughs and the pay cuts may just be the beginning of things to come.
S @ UCSD
I suggest that instead of bitching how CUE never does anything for you, you become active in the union and work for the change you want. The people who are active in CUE aren't "them"--they're your coworkers.
Why have we not received an update/email from CUE by now? Layoff talk for union employees is circulating more and more around the water coolers! Not Good!
Cue,
Now that we know that we will need to take our respective cuts 4 - 6%. If the contract is not negotiated soon, once the UC begins the salary cuts in Sept, will the UC be able to take more from our check to cover the retroactive cuts?ress
why is it that only union people are being targeted for layoffs? Our salaries don't even compare to what they would save by laying off analysts, or others not in the union. Is this fair?
By nature of our position, we are automatically in the union and this puts our job in danger.
I'm confused. I thought it will be 4% salary cut and 4% furlough, so the total will be 8% or more. But people is saying furlough only but no salary cut. Can someone enlighten me please?
From what information is floating around out there, the University could layoff up to 70% of union employees which is what the contract allows for. That leaves 30% of union employees with jobs. It sounds like layoffs will be random and not based on what positions are of greater need.
Unions are a thorn in the Regents side when it comes to situations like these. If they can weed us all out now, then it will be better for them in the future.
Someone wrote"I'm confused. I thought it will be 4% salary cut and 4% furlough, so the total will be 8% or more. But people is saying furlough only but no salary cut. Can someone enlighten me please?
The salary cut is achieved by the furlough days. For staff:
If you make <= $40,000 you must take 11 unpaid furlough days which is = to a 4% pay cut
$40,001- $46,000 13 furlough days = 5% pay cut
$46,001-$60,000 16 furlough days=6% pay cut
$60,001-$90,000 18 furlough day = 7% pay cut
$90,001-$180,000 21 furlough days=8% pay cut
$180,001- $240,00 24 furlough days= 9% pay cut
>$240,000 26 furlough days - 10% paycut
Read the contract. There is nothing regarding a limit on percentage of how many union workers can be noticed for layoff
http://www.cueunion.org/bargaining/contract/art13.php
The last letter in the url was cut off
it is .php
An anonymous commenter asks : "why is it that only union people are being targeted for layoffs? "
Union members aren't being targeted for layoffs per se. The issue is that UC cannot implement pay cuts or furloughs unless the union, bargaining on our behalf, agrees to allow the university to do so in the contract. Our current contract has no provision for furloughs or pay cuts.
UC is threatening that if the union does not agree to the pay cuts/furloughs, they will make up the difference by laying off represented employees. To what extent they will be able to do this and still allow the university to function is a good question.
The thing to remember is that if we allow UC's proposal to stand without any emendation, it doesn't stop them from implementing layoffs another 6 months down the road. If we allow any furlough or pay cut, we need to secure a binding agreement from the administration that there will be no layoffs--otherwise, we're stuck with a pay cut and still no job security.
I would like to know why UC is hiring temps and retirees to fill the boids...while career employees are being laid off, temps and retirees are being hired to fill these "vacant" positions. If these positions need to be filled why are they not filling them with career employees...and if you retire from the university, you retire! Maybe someone should get a dictionary to the upper echelon...
I am a dues-paying member of Cue. I do not understand the statement from the CUE Local 6 blog:
Our research indicates that the UC budget situation is fine. CUE will fight any attempt to use the California State budget crisis as UC's excuse to reduce our wages.
I would like to see the figures that support this, with a clear explanation of the manner in which CUE 6 arrived at the idea that the "UC budget is fine."
Union membership does not mean support of all positions...it relies on the vote. I vote "yes" to furloughs.
I just read J2 and it clearly states that even if we do not start the furlough program till Nov of 09 that we will have to do a 12 month period no matter what. So why fight it the sooner it happends the faster it will be over. Im all for furloughs.
I wonder why CUE members are not talking on the blog about the email CUE sent out that said this:
On Friday, July 17th, the UC Team's Chief Negotiator, Peter Chester
informed the CUE bargaining team that it did not have a proposal for
the CUE Bargaining Team at this time. The CUE Team did question the UC team about the elements of J2, the furlough plan as it was approved by the Regents on Wednesday, July 15th. To our utter amazement, (we had not seen this detail in any of the UC publications or announcements)
the furlough days will be PAID DAYS off! That is, we understood from
the university team, the University would achieve its salary savings
by implementing a slight wage reduction for all hours worked at the
commencement of the furlough period. In exchange for this salary
reduction are "paid furlough days" to be negotiated on a
campus-by-campus basis. It was further explained to us that each
location, campus and or medical center will be given the flexibility
to determine how it wants to implement the furloughs.
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This makes absolutely no sense to me. How could furloughs turn into paid days off? I have written to CUE to find out a clearer explaination, but nothing so far.
My understanding on the latest email is that CUE now knows that UCOP didn't really use the most correct words in describing furlough days.
Common understanding is that a furlough day is a entire 8-hour workday where the person is not at work and is not getting paid. Instead, UCOP plans to cut salary/wages according to their preferred savings (scaled) and people would then take PAID "furlough" days (better termed "supplemental, non-refundable, vacation days") using the new, lower wage. The savings is the same, but it just seems like a different way of implementing it in existing pay systems.
What concerns me is that each campus will have the power to determine how furlough *time* is taken. That leaves room for a school to implement an "X-minutes per day off" system so that services aren't interrupted as opposed to giving us full power to control our time.
If we don't get actual, full days off, I will be less than pleased. More like enraged.
The furloughs are necessary to save jobs. Layoffs are inevitable however we can reduce the number by accepting the furlough or come to the table with a REASONABLE counter offer. I am not pleased with the way CUE handled their demand for cost of living increases. I don’t recall the exact details but a couple years ago or so unrepresented employees received a cost of living increase (1% or 2%?). CUE went to the table with an unreasonable demand of around 15%. In the end, we received nothing and certainly won’t now. That 1% or 2% could have offset our future pay reductions.
I'd LOVE to have the choice on whether or not I have to be represented by CUE (or any union). If people had their choice CUE wouldn't exist.
KICK CUE OUT!
someone wrote: I'd LOVE to have the choice on whether or not I have to be represented by CUE (or any union). If people had their choice CUE wouldn't exist.
KICK CUE OUT!
And then you would really have no rights or recourse. Unfortunately, most of the people who worked at the university before there are unions are retired, but I've heard the stories and it was not a good place to work.
Maybe you need to do some research on labor unions and workplaces before you go trying to get rid of your union.
The fact that the university is obligated to bargain with its workers is a good thing. The fact that if the university engages in unfair labor practices we have the right to go to HEERA for protection is a good thing.
What if we didn't have a contract with Article 13 (which spells out the way lay offs are handled and protects workers with senority). Do you not think departments would use layoffs as a way to get rid of people they don't like?
I think the reasons to have a union were nicely summarized by Dave Johnson ( found on The Huffington Post on March 28, 2008)
Union Workers Have Better Health Care and Pensions
Union workers are more likely than their nonunion counterparts to covered by health care and receive pension benefits, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. In March 2007, 78 percent of union workers in the private sector had jobs with employer-provided health insurance, compared with only 49 percent of nonunion workers. Union workers also are more likely to have retirement and short-term disability benefits.
Dignity: The presence of a union means employees must be treated fairly by their employer, and that you have a voice and vote in important decisions that effect you.
Power: An employee has little power and almost no way to improve wages, benefits, or working conditions. Collective Bargaining balances the power that an employer has over its employees even in a "Team" or high performance work environment.
Protection: Without a union there is no due process at work. Unions provide a grievance & arbitration procedure which ensures fairness for all employees.
Here are five good reasons to join your co-workers in uniting to form a union:
1 - Working together, union members have the strength to win better wages, affordable health care, a secure retirement, and safer workplaces.
2 - The "union advantage" is substantial. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, union members are much more likely to have health benefits and pensions.
3 - For people of color and women workers, the union impact is even greater. Women workers who are union members earn nearly $9,000 a year more than their non-union counterparts. For African-American workers, the union differential is also about $9,000, and for Latino workers the yearly advantage is more than $11,000.
4 - In addition to helping workers win better wages and benefits, unions help all workers by giving working families a stronger voice in our communities, in the political arena, and in the global economy.
5 - By joining together, we can build the strength to hold elected officials accountable, stop the "race to the bottom" by employers who cut wages and benefits in favor of bigger profits, and win improvements such as affordable, quality health care for all.
Union members earn better wages and benefits than workers who aren't union members. On average, union workers' wages are 30 percent higher than their nonunion counterparts. While only 14 percent of nonunion workers have guaranteed pensions, fully 68 percent of union workers do. More than 97 percent of union workers have jobs that provide health insurance benefits, but only 85 percent of nonunion workers do. Unions help employers create a more stable, productive workforce--where workers have a say in improving their jobs.
And a union is only as strong as its membership. If you aren't currently a dues-paying member of CUE, I encourage you to join today.
There is nothing the university would like more is to divide and conquer. And it is in times like this that they are likely to succeed.
Solidarity forever, because the Union makes us strong!
The University is offering all employees union and non-union paid days off in tandem with the salary decrease based on annual compensation. Vacation and sick leave accurals will be at the pre-furlough rates. For retirement calculations, salary and hours will be at the pre-furlough rates.
READ the proposal given to the Regents. Be grateful you are not working as a clerical for the State or for California State University System and subject to much larger pay cuts, in fact, the same percentage as your Department/Divison Directors.
Vote for the furlough. Bargain to get steps implemented retroactively to Oct 2008.
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