Employees at UC-Merced Ask for Pay Equity

Workers Without Contract or Pay Raise for More Than Three Years

MERCED, Calif., Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, CUE-Teamster members held a press conference outside the Kollogian library on the UC-Merced campus to protest the lack of movement on their contract negotiations. CUE-Teamster members, 14,000 strong, work as clerical and administrative assistants at each of the University of California campuses, including Merced. They have been without a contract for more than three years.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100127/IBTLOGO)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100127/IBTLOGO)

"I believe Chancellor Kang can be an advocate for a new beginning in relations between UC and its clerical employees; a new relationship that will value our hard work and provide us with a secure retirement," said Susan White, a dispatcher for Merced Campus Safety. "We need Kang and other chancellors to champion our efforts to gain a new contract and the kind of pension and retiree healthcare that we deserve."

"As a dispatcher for campus safety I am the students' lifeline during an emergency call," said Jorge Rodriguez, a UC-Merced employee since 2009. "I provide comfort and security to students. We all provide services that make a huge impact on students' lives. Therefore, we need a contract now with fair wages and benefits."

The CUE-Teamsters have been without a contract since 2008 as the university has continued to stall and delay negotiations for a new contract with the bargaining unit. The workers at UC-Merced have also not had a pay increase since 2007.

"Our members at UC-Merced want their voice to be heard," said Rome Aloise, Teamsters International Vice President and President of Teamsters Joint Council 7. "By raising their concerns over their contract at the Advisory Committee meeting CUE-Teamsters have given President Yudof and Chancellor Kang the opportunity to do the right thing. Yudof and the Regents need to treat these members of the UC-Merced community with respect."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

SOURCE CUE-Teamsters Local 2010