Dear Fellow CUE Workers,

Over the past 20 years of working in different environments, I have always been leery of unions from listening to my grandfather discuss his experiences. Of course, my generation here on the west coast was never taught the importance of such organizations, so I always avoided them. Unions always demand some small portion taken out of your paycheck to support something you never see nor associate with. At least I didn't used to think so.

All that changed when I was hired by a department at UCSC and experienced some challenges. The first was minor but important involving several co-workers who did not get along. The situation escalated and I took the initiative to contact the union for their advice. Unfortunately, the union at that time did not help other than to allow me to discuss it with someone outside my work team. Hence, my first contact with the union was somewhat negative. Although I was not entirely comfortable with the end results (the union rep at that time wanted to initiate a mediation to solve the issue.) I tried repeatedly to explain that this was not what was needed - in the end as a team we resolved it ourselves by just not being as social as before.

The second and most important occurrence involved our office going through a reorganization. This began with a series of meetings that contradicted each following meeting with management over a span of several weeks. In other words, things happened really quickly. A co-worker took the initiative and contacted the union to help us all "just in case".

We are so fortunate that our co-worker contacted the union. We met with someone from the union who actually listened to all of us. She was extremely helpful. However, since we truly did not know what was happening, a couple of us stepped to the side. For fear of being labeled "troublemakers" or worse, we were not sure of what to do or how to handle what was going on. We were not confident of the direction we really wanted to go. Everyone hears how unions are outspoken and will take on anyone regardless of the consequences. Well - a couple of us stepped aside quietly but not too far. We paid attention and waited to see what management would do.

At stake was the move and consolidation of our office with our sister office in another city some 25 miles away. Of course no one wanted to go, nor did we see the benefit as an organization. Our team consisted of people who had worked there for over 10 years - we had knowledge of the work that no one else had. What we did as an office and unit basically required our existence to be close to the main campus for the customers' and student's benefit. Oddly enough, it was a new VP and consultant who made the decision to shut down and move to another city with no prior experience or exposure other than what they thought they saw on paper.

As it turned out, more than half of us were laid off - with no warning. Our union rep found out at the same time as we did and called as each of us were being pulled out of work and sent to a meeting to be told we were either being laid off, transferred, or reduced in time. At this point, and in utter shock, I placed all my faith with this woman who took it upon herself as a representative of the union and a friend to assist not only me but the rest of us.

The entire experience changed my perspective and helped me regain my sense of value. There is nothing worse than working for several years in a wonderful and supportive environment with great people to have some outside person step in and make a decision with absolutely no regard for you or the position that you hold. Everyone's life was turned upside down, especially those of us laid off.

Our union representative made sure to call each of us and stay in contact regardless of time of day. This was most beneficial as when experiencing such drastic events your mind and emotions don't work together and you lose a sense of control.

I loved my job. I loved the people I worked with. The department was were I wanted to be. But I did not want to be a part of some fierce battle yelling and screaming about the injustice of what had just occurred. I am so thankful that this person from the union was able and willing to assist each of us. She helped us with legal issues when our organization asked us to train upper management for the positions that we were being laid off from. She answered our cries of desperation when we would get so angry that we could not come to work. She stepped in and helped clarify those feelings of guilt when I wanted to be so responsible and couldn't.

She handled things professionally and with care. Never once did I feel in any way threatened due to working with the union. By that I mean, I never had to worry about my future with the department and them knowing what had occurred. The professionalism and confidentiality was upheld and respected. As a group and as individuals we were asked how we wished to handle things.

For the future, I now know the importance of what the union can do for me. I truly hope others feel that comfortable should the time come when they need assistance. Everyone should feel this same way and know that the union is there to help. They are there for our (the employees) benefit overall. Their position is to assist in communication and clarification regarding contracts and employment practices. I do not think I will hesitate should the need arise again (hopefully it will not) to contact the union regarding a situation or question.

Samantha Sokolowski