10/03/2008

Bargaining Update

WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW?
On September 30th, the CUE/UC contract expired. At the last bargaining session, the Statewide Bargaining Committee agreed, over Local 10’s objection, to extend the contract by one week.

When a contract expires, there are three options for unions:

1) Status quo. Most elements of the contract remain the same. Workers have the right to strike but cannot go to arbitration on grievances. The university cannot raise worker health care and retiree contributions (both of which are expected to be proposed.) UNIONS CHOOSE STATUS QUO TO BRING PRESSURE TO THE EMPLOYER TO SETTLE THE CONTRACT. Bargaining should continue even while in status quo.
2) Extend the contract. This is usually done when both parties (the union and the employer) need a little more time to settle the contract. That is not the case here because after eight months of bargaining there are no tentative agreements. Therefore, we are not close to settling anything. Another impact is we have no sympathy strike language in our contract. If and when UPTE and AFSCME, who both are in status quo, go on strike, we will be forced to cross the picket lines of people we work side by side with. The only way to avoid that is to be in status quo and be able to plan and execute our own concerted work action. Then, along with other unions, we can build worker power.
3) Go on strike. This will require to three or four major legal steps, such as impasse and fact-finding, which has not yet occurred. Striking and other work actions require organizing and worker participation. Local 10 is ready to help organize a variety of activities. Please call the office at 831-420-0258 to tell us that you want to be an activist.
At the last Local 10 Executive Board Meeting on September 8th, your local elected leaders sent Kim Rutherford, your bargaining representative and Local President, back to the bargaining table with Local 10’s instructions to oppose contract extension. The Statewide Bargaining Committee really wanted a one to three month extension, which clearly is not in the best interest of workers and your union. With the support of one other campus at the bargaining table, only a one-week extension has been agreed to.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?
CUE must create pressure on the university to win raises and prevent increased employee healthcare and pension contributions.

WHAT YOU CAN DO.
1) Call the union office to get a bumper sticker that you can post at your desk, or a button to wear. We will deliver them to you.
2) Send an email to Amatullah Alaji-Sabrie at umtauheed84@yahoo.com, the Chief Negotiator for the CUE bargaining team. Tell her you are ready to do whatever it takes to win a fair raise and stop increasing health and pension costs. Please send Local 10 a copy of that email.
3) Come to the next Local 10 Executive Board meeting on Monday, October 13, at 5:30 pm at the union office. Talk directly with your local elected leadership to help determine our next steps to win a fair contract.
Only worker activism can win a fair contract and prevent financial losses. Please call the union today to get involved. Once again, the office number is 831-459-0258.