Anonymous said...
I wish CUE would respond to some of these post. Let us know what they are thinking.
Friday, July 17, 2009 9:36:00 AM
I am the staff member in San Francisco who administers this Blog. I can't answer every post, plus it's confusing when everyone is Anonymous, as well as suggesting how intimidated UC employees are. [My comments are bracketed.]
Below are some representative comments. Thank you for the many encouraging words. We also thank those who voice their objections. They seem to vary from CUE should do nothing to why doesn't CUE do something? Furloughs were proposed in a letter received by CUE Friday afternoon, July 17th. Details available at: this location.
UC's letter stated, "If the scenarios listed do not represent a plan you wish to agree upon, the University is prepared to meet with you regarding any alternate plans you propose that will yield the same or similar cash savings as the Salary Reduction and Furlough Plan adopted by The Regents." So they invited discussion. CUE is not advocating lay-offs, just negotiating terms. You can tell it's real because they capitalized "The."
ANONYMOUS
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. [That is not progaganda. It is a 5.5 BILLION DOLLAR emergency fund. UC does not deny having it, they just won't say what they consider an emergency.]
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.
[In good economic times, the University underpaid employees compared to equivalent institutions. You receive all those benefits because the union protects them for you.]
Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:03:00 PM
Anonymous said...
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!
[UC invited CUE and the other unions to offer alternate proposals. No one is refusing furloughs outright. Read their letter to CUE for details.]
Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:07:00 PM
Blogger diana said...
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. [Yudof's rent-free house.]
Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:11:00 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...
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.
[UC is not part of the state government. The state funds only about 13% of the University. The plan is President Yudof's, not the Regents'. They delegated their authority to him during the so-called emergency.]
Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:13:00 PM
Amen Anonymous!!! (3:03:00 PM timestamp)
Agree to the furloughs. Cue stay out.
Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:16:00 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...
+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.
[PLEASE NOTE: Benefits are being negotiated for the contract replacing the one that expired on October 10, 2008. UC wants to chip away at benefits, too, not just salaries.]
BL
Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:16:00 PM
Anonymous said
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?
[CUE is preparing a counter-proposal. See the next post on executive raises and perks.]
Friday, July 17, 2009 7:54:00 AM
Anonymous Anonymous said...
I would like to see Cue post the bonus amounts that the managers get for laying us off (if that's the case)
[Bonuses for lay-offs is conjecture, but there have been many executive hires, raises and perks approved by the Regents, some as recently as July 16th, 2009. Local 6 posted them on our web site at Sharing the Pain?. They are public knowledge.]
Friday, July 17, 2009 7:57:00 AM
Anonymous Anonymous said...
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!
[Couldn't have put it better. Unlike UC, CUE is a democratic organization. Participate to have an impact!]
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 3:56:00 PM
Anonymous said
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.
[Anyone can comment on the blog anonymously.]
In solidarity!
Anon AA II
Friday, July 17, 2009 5:10:00 PM
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?
[The statewide web site has been updated with the latest bargaining information. If you are dissatisfied with CUE, become an active member. Work for change.]
Friday, July 17, 2009 5:19:00 PM
[Thanks again for your comments. Those received before the July Regents meeting were submitted to the Regents. — gtutin@cueunion.org.]
43 comments:
let's drop cue
T,
In my department it seems like the managers and everyone non-cue represented are trying to scare us into thinking that because we are not getting furloughed, we are going to get laid off. Could you guys please send out an email to straighten this all out.
Why hasn't CUE kept it's members informed of the furloughs decision process. The website is horrible outdated and carries meeting information from 2007 on it.
As somebody from the chopping block I care about greatly what is going on in these discussions. I'm hearing cries of "Solidarity" but it's seeming more like a selective "Solidarity." "Let's keep the older so they don't lose their money...who cares about the people that have only been here a couple of years."
[Begin SARCASM]Great Solidarity![End SARCASM]
What is the point of paying dues if we can't voice an opinion in the local meeting(s) since they aren't published or even hear about what is going on?
-"AAII" with UCDavis Since 2006
I am a dues paying member of CUE on the LA campus who has tried in vain to get something going here.
There's is a lot of apathy and resentment towards CUE and its bizarre member driven set up.
It takes a crisis like this to show that if we really want a union, a professional organization with national resources is the only way to go. If we get out of this mess we should consider merging with AFSCME very soon.
That said if CUE gets me the same deal as the non-represented folks then I will make their desertification my full-time hobby.
- "Unsatisfied" LA member
We at Riverside showed up at the bargaining sessions that were held here last week and I for one am very appreciative of the hard work that the bargaining team is doing on our behalf. They seem to be taking everyones best interest to heart. We were all given the opprotunity to speak very freely and frankly about our situations and our thoughs on furloughs. Stay strong CUE members! Stay Strong!
Just because CUE accepts furloughs, there is no guarantee there won't be layoffs. There is no blanket protection. Thanks to the unions, if you do get laid off you might have better severance terms than unrepresented employees. Most employees might not mind leaving UC if they were not counting on their pension, but without unions, who will protect the pension plan? The governor is trying to eliminate the state worker plan, and UC will be next on the chopping block.
UCLA HR is getting ready to start furloughs Sept 1st. I hadn't heard that CUE signed off on any plan yet. Anyone out there heard anything different? We have a single overwhelmed "Labor Representative" who doesn't appear to have any contact with anyone Statewide so I'm dependant on the rumor mill. Anyone?
-Unsatisfied Cue-LA
As far as I know CUE has not signed off on the furlough program. In fact, none of the other unions have signed off either. It doesn't look as though we will have an agreement before Sept 1. UC is threatening to temporarily lay off all union workers up to the amount of time that would have been included in the furlough. In my case for example, I would be laid off for 11 days. That lay off will most likely occur at the same time as the campus closures.
we should have a strike vote let show the uc how much they need us
So I am confused CUE has not accepted the furlough plan, but as of October 1st my paycheck will be short, how does this work?
Nobody's paycheck should be short yet. As of October 1 we will receive temporary layoff notices.
Cue needs to get a grip. You are damaging employees far more than you are helping. Do all you employees realize that by not agreeing to the UC furlough proposal it will hurt all employees in the long run? We will have to take vacation days OR leave without pay which will will halt our service accrual. Put a stop to this CUE interference. You are worthless!!!!!!
" [That is not progaganda. It is a 5.5 BILLION DOLLAR emergency fund. UC does not deny having it, they just won't say what they consider an emergency.] "
Actually, it's called a Reserve Fund, and it's purpose is clearly defined. This is money that is held aside for anticipated expenses throughout the year. These expenses are not emergencies, per se, but are by their nature undetermined.
It was explained to me as the difference between paying your medical bill (a known quantity) and paying your PG&E bill (an anticipated quantity, but one that is prone to fluctuation over time).
The university defends this fund as necessary given that with its size and scope, the UC has so many of these anticipated-but-as-yet-unknown expenses, that the regents require $5.5B in reserve to account for increases from the previous year.
The "emergency fund" myth is no different than the "death panel" myth. Hyperbole, plain an simple.
From the last email CUE sent on 9/1it sounds like they have bargained layoffs for us! It is pretty sad when the email includes steps on how to file for unemployment! Way to go CUE!
Does anyone know what the other UC unions are doing?
AFT California Federation of Teachers University
Council, representing lecturers and librarians at UC
.
UC-AFT Berkeley-San Francisco local 1474
AFSCME 3299 AFSCME, representing PCT and service employees at UC.
CUE Coalition of University Employees - statewide
UAW Local 2865 Representing Academic Student Employees (readers, tutors, associate-ins, and teaching assistants) at UC.
CNA California Nurses Association, representing nurses at UC's teaching hospitals.
UPTE University Professional & Technical Employees CWA Local 9119 - AFL-CIO, representing
professional and technical employees at UC.
FUPOA Federated University Police Officers Association
I beleive ASE and FUPOA have settled with UC.
What about the others.
To me CUE's biggest problem is lack of communicaion with the rank and file. They could be doing the best job in the world but we don't know because there is so little communication and what there is does not tell us much.
We need details about the negotiations. CUE asks for any ideas we might have but we have no idea what has been proposed.
CUE, are you listening?
http://adminrecords.ucsd.edu/Notices/2009/UnionVote.pdf
this is the pdf that the unions have circulated. At this point, I've had enough with CUE and am disappointed by the "riling of the masses" tactic they are choosing.
UCSD
As far as I know, the Police Union and the 501 Skilled Crafts have signed on to the furlough program. CUE and UPTE will get temp layoff notices. AFSCME will all be reduced to 11 month workers paid over 12 months and I don't know about the others.
Wow, so many negative and hostile comments! I am proud to be a paid union member and I appreciate the fight CUE is putting in on my behalf. As an already struggling, underpaid employee @ Santa Cruz I can't afford a pay cut. Pay cut = bills wont be paid and food wont be on the table for my family & that is reality. Layoffs are going to happen with or without the furlough plan- wake up people.
FYI
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Unions, Furloughs, and UC Unity
The UC Office of the President has informed UC-AFT that Unit 18 lecturers will not be participating in the furlough plan. Contrary to some reports, our union has not refused to accept pay reductions; rather, the university decided not to use furloughs as the main way of gaining salary savings from our unit. While we were willing to have conversations about the furlough plan with UCOP, the university did not want to answer any of our most basic questions (how would the furloughs affect our workers? how much money were they trying to save by furloughing our people?). Most importantly, the university would not give us any information on past, present, and future layoffs, and so we were unable to even start a conversation with UCOP.
Making matters worse, the UC has embarked on an anti-union campaign, which includes blaming the unions for not accepting the shared sacrifices of the furloughs. In this attempt to pit non-unionized against unionized workers, the university may have overplayed its hand because we are now witnessing an unprecedented collaboration between represented and nonrepresented workers in the UC system. For instance, over 10,000 UC employees, including non-unionized staff, students, and senate faculty recently voted that they had no confidence in President Yudof's leadership. Also events are being planned for the coming months that will help to unite unions with nonrepresented professors and other staff and workers. While the university engages in a divide and conquer strategy, the students, faculty, staff, and workers are uniting.
---------
I don't know what this means for CUE but it's clear UCOP keeps changing the rules.
Here at Santa Cruz, the campus has announced seven unpaid holidays during campus closures. Whether CUE accepts the furlough plan or not, these campus closures will stand.
CUE indicated in its latest email to members that the University is prepared to issue temporary layoff notices to CX bargaining unit employees if CUE continues to reject the furlough plan.
I would much rather CUE accept the furlough plan than to be subjected to a "temporary layoff" for 11 straight days, only to have to take another 7 unpaid days off during campus closure in December. CUE continuing to oppose the furlough plan would mean an effective furlough of 18 days for me, a 7% pay cut, and as I understand it-- an upset in my vacation and sick time accruals, and possibly higher insurance premiums and less coverage during the month of the temporary layoff.
By continuing to oppose the furlough plan, CUE is not operating in the best interests of all its represented employees. As a voting member, I urge my union leadership to accept the furlough plan without further delay. Your reluctance could very well end up costing us members more than even Yudof has called for.
As a manager from San Diego, I think the CUE leadership is totally out of touch. We're all taking a hit (8% of my pay plus a 6% annual bonus that was part of my hiring package). Times are tough, a glass that is 96% full is still damn near full. Don't be foolish and let your less tenured peers get burned with a layoff.
I was informed this morning by my boss that CUE members in our department will be subjected to an 11 day lay off instead of the furlough plan. This really irks me because I don't think the CUE leadership gave the matter to us to vote on directly. I would rather have taken smaller cuts spread out over a year. Also, why isn't CUE keeping us informed, instead of having to hear about this from other sources?
-UCSC member
So can we hold a vote on whether to join the faculty walkout scheduled for September 24, which at least one other union has already said they'd honor?
So can we get even a single update to the statewide Website about the University's bargaining position regarding furloughs?
So can we get an accounting of where our monthly dues and fair share payments go in this organization?
So can we vote to abolish the useless leadership at CUE and join AFSCME or the technical union?
Chris
Worker at UC Davis
Hi, I would like to have CUE accept the furlough proposal. At my wages it is a 4% cut. Our dept. will have to layoff clericals if we don't meet certain budget cuts. I would rather take a cut than to lose co-workers. Our other option is START which would be a 5% pay cut. And that also lasts a year.
CUE, can we have a vote?
CW
After hearing from my supervisor (who is a CPO)that those who are "represented" are subject to layoffs equivalent to the furloughs. I immediately signed myself up for START. Thanks for nothing CUE. I will continue to work hard (despite) a salary cut so that I may be moved into the analyst job that I am doing now. Part of my motivation is to get CUE out of my life for they have done nothing but hold me back.
I would just like to say that now facing a 4% pay cut with NO furloughs to cover the 11 campus closure days...I would much rather have furloughs. The union is supposed to help us and right now I feel like it's doing more harm than good.
From UCD Dateline:
"Clerical Unit (CX)
Temporary layoff, requires 15-day notice, layoff must occur over a 120-day duration and must be consecutive, not intermittent, days; duration of each temporary layoff will be 11 to 16 days, based on the individual’s salary ($40,000 or less, 4 percent salary reduction, or 11 days; $40,001-$46,000, 5 percent salary reduction, or 13 days; $46,001-$60,000, 6 percent salary reduction, or 16 days). The temporary layoffs will occur between Feb. 1 and Aug. 31, 2010; will not occur immediately prior to or following a campus closure; and will apply to all represented clerical unit employees except those that are in an excluded employee group as described above. Deans and vice chancellors or the equivalent level will be given the option of implementing permanent layoffs in lieu of these temporary layoffs as long as the equivalent salary savings is generated."
Thanks CUE...you really saved the day this time!
As many have said previously, the main problem is the lack of communication to the CUE members. While on the one hand, I don't want to be furloughed, on the other, I don't want any of my colleagues and/or coworkers to be laid off either. I had originally thought to give CUE the benefit of a doubt but their lack of communication (and ability to keep us updated in REAL time) are causing frustration and (obvious) discord among the members. With that in mind, I think we all just want this to be over with so that we are not in the gray areas or that we hear about OUR union events and activities from our managers and/or supervisors. Seriously, what does that say about how "professional" this is for the rest of us??!
CUE, you got to get your act together!!
CUE, do you realize that by not agreeing with the furlough, you are hurting the people you are representing even more? We are being punished for your unwillingness to accept the furlough. If you had agreed to the furlough, I would only be facing a 4% cut in pay. But now...I'm facing an 8% and I make under $30,000 a year. All I want to know is, if you plan to continue with not agreeing to the furlough...will you at least give us back the dues that we are paying you?
I agree--after their actions over the past month, I would be happy to drop CUE entirely. Their lack of communication and responsiveness during this furlough process is shameful. They are defensive (just look at the responses by the CUE representative on this board) and all objections are met with the usual, "If you want CUE to change the way we do things, then become a full (read: $$$) member and participate!"
I've been a "CUE employee" for nearly 9 years now, and still have not seen one action on their part that has inspired me to join as a full member (or been worth the money they already steal from my paycheck every month). They don't protect my benefits--UC and the state's employment laws do.
CUE just put my job at risk and my neck in the chopping block because they couldn't effectively and professionally negotiate with UC representatives. I'm furious.
(p.s. I posted anonymously because I don't want to be targeted by CUE, who seem much more vindictive and biased than the UC system they continually accuse of vindictiveness and bias.)
Yes. It's possible to recall the CUE union. I'm doing it. Please write to me at ajsikes@ucdavis.edu
I've got the guy who has been working to recall UPTE helping me get started.
What about that survey CUE took about whether we would accept the furlough? Why have no results been released? Seems like a lot of folks would rather accept it than fight it at this point.
If there were any indication that CUE's leadership was competent, then I'd be more than willing to engage in a struggle with the university about this furlough situation. However, considering (1) the complete lack of information provided to us on the Website, (2) the inability of the union to respond to the university's propaganda, (3) the inability of the union to respond to members' concerns, any battle we engage in is doomed. Since our leadership is utterly incapable of steering the membership through this situation, we might as well just accept the university's position. No wage increase for 2008. No wage increase for 2009. Nothing on the table for 2010.
What's even worse, friends, is that the union leadership...is us! We are the incompetent ones. We allowed the buffoons in charge to take their seats on the Executive Board. And we are the ones keeping them there by not marching on the head office and occupying it until the leadership resigns.
Hello CUE Representatives,
Library staff were notified of the University's alternative to the furlough program as seen in Dateline UC Davis, September 18, 2009
"Union Staff notified of furlough alternatives"
http://dateline.ucdavis.edu/dl_detail.lasso?id=11847
"Furlough Alternatives for Represented Employees"
http://www.dateline.ucdavis.edu/dl_detail.lasso?id=11848
We have heard nothing from CUE since the first of September via email CUE REPORT #27. I also have checked the Statewide website and the local website for Davis. Nothing has been updated since early August.
If you want your members to understand your current position, you need to be more convincing (and more timely) as to why you have rejected the furlough offer and placed us in a position that is far less beneficial to CUE members.
If you are holding out for a guarantee that there will be no additional layoffs, I warn you to be very cautious. Other unions will not be granted that guarantee; therefore, the chances of CUE receiving the guarantee is very unlikely.
Please DO NOT remain quiet while many people are worried about this alternative to the furlough plan being implemented.
The people I have been talking to don't appreciate that your main response so far has been, "If you receive a lay-off notice, please contact the EDD office..." Also, people are considering signing up for the START program to circumvent the UCs alternative to the furlough plan--and thereby circumventing CUE.
Please recognize that there is a time when you need to back-off or you will place us in more jeopardy.
I've heard that the librarian's union will be voiting soon to accept/reject the furlough offer. (Rumor has it they will accept.)
What/When will CUE do something similar?
CUE...Why are you not addressing each and every one of these comments? I too, am less than impressed with the "contact your EDD office if you receive a layoff notice". That's it? ABSOLUTELY no communication, an archaic website, no updates.
Your union is the epitome of unprofessionalism
Just listened to the President's speech and I belive him. I've been here for about eight years and the increase that the union has gotten for us was sad.
CUE, get on board and let's not have more people put out of work because you're looking for "the hidden" money that you could not find in the good times, so how do you think you can uncover any thing now?
I want my money back(dues) a total waste
I'm up for a little bit of activism in getting CUE out of our lives for they are nothing but self-serving. Anyone with me?
CUE is bargaining in bad faith with UC on behalf of their membership. We need to get rid of CUE, get our dues back and accept the furlough plan.
Agreed. We were sent a notification of the CUE president resigning with absolutely no details--why is that? Why can CUE not do any of the things they are requesting UC do, such as open communication with full disclosure of information?
Where are our CUE "dues" going every month? Where is the disclosure of that? This information should have been posted on the CUE web site long ago--and I don't mean vague information, I mean the same kind of documents and accounting specifics that CUE requests from UC.
Also, how is CUE getting the message from those of us who have chosen not to join as full members (although they still take .5 percent of our pay every month)? We can't vote. The members who do get to vote are only the ones who have already bought into CUE--the ones who believe what CUE is saying enough to fork over another .5 percent of their pay every month. Obviously, they'll vote to protect the union. How about letting ALL of the employees you represnt vote, CUE?? Are you afraid of what the result might be?
What CUE says and the outcome are going to be very different. I’m not relying on what CUE proposes and insist. We are victims of CUE not the University. Had the furloughs been accepted right from the start my salary would decrease by 6%. It’s in my own best interest to avoid a temporary lay-off by signing up for the START program. This means my salary will now be decreased by 10.5%. That’s a higher percentage than those high salaried executives CUE constantly blast. In addition, had CUE gone to the negotiation table with a reasonable cost of living increase years ago we would have received SOMETHING. That increase would have off set today’s salary reductions. CUE - ONCE AGAIN, YOU ARE HURTING US!!! GO AWAY.
CUE has done NOTHING to help but complaint like a bunch of kids.
1 and a half year out of contract with no pay raises.. and if I remember correctly, one of the sticking point was parking fees. Really? I park 15 or so blocks away and walk, some decide to play the car shuffle to avoid the meter maids. Yet we are (partly) holding up the contract negotiation on the few stupid individuals, who are underpaid like the rest of us, but decides to spend 20 bucks a day parking in the lot...
Another issue that CUE wanted to drum up was not having Christmas Eve off? (substitute 12/26 instead) Again.. why don't you guys get us the contract for our pay raise instead of being so concern about which day our holidays fall on.
BTW, thanks for the "equity" raise for people under 40K. Which excluded 75% of the members..
Great Job CUE!
Then CUE makes a mess out of the whole furlough issue. All because they are unwilling, no.. too incompetent to share with their members what is going on.
And what's been going on in the last 2 months, they are meeting every few days about the takeover.
Hey CUE, here's a message you don't seem to get. If you are doing your job, and making your members happy, you won't have to worry about the takeover.
I personally can care less who I am a part of, as long as they can show me the money.
As far as I am concern, CUE takes our union dues and has done NOTHING to help us.
I am thrilled to hear that AFSCME is looking to take over CUE. Karma is a real beyotch. After having them hold up my reclass for over 3 years, I finally got my promotion because, I applied for and got the job! I am now free from the incompetence of CUE and it looks like I got out just in the nice of time. Vote CUE out!
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