The people who cook lunches, clean classrooms, and provide medical care at the University of California live in poverty. 96% of the people who do these important, necessary jobs are eligible to receive public poverty assistance. Many people working at the UC -- one of the world's most prestigious universities -- have to work two or even three jobs just to pay rent and put food on the table for their families.
I just got back from the picket line here at UC Santa Barbara, where I'm a teacher and graduate student. The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 3299 (AFSCME), which represents the 8,500 people who cook, clean, and work in health clinics across the University, today began a five-day strike after more than a full year of demanding a better contract with fair wages . There are about 100 or so workers and supporters at the main entrance to UCSB right now, demonstrating for a fair contract. Spirits are high, because everyone knows that the University simply cannot work without them -- so they're going to win a fair contract. It's just a matter of time.
The contract that these folks have had for the last several years is terrible. Currently in Santa Barbara, the median home price is $1,000,000. Average rents for a one bedroom apartment start at about $1,600 (check Craigslist for a taste of that nonsense). Yet, these workers are paid only $10.28 to $11.50 per hour . No wonder so many of them get public assistance simply to afford housing.
The workers aren't asking for much. Just a raise to $15.00 per hour, and a pay scale that includes a raise every now and then. $15.00 per hour still won't be nearly enough to afford housing in one of the most expensive housing markets in the world, but it will help some people work fewer hours at their second and third jobs, so that they can spend more time at home, with their children.
Even though Governer Schwarzenegger is trying to protect his rich buddies and their yacht tax breaks by cutting the budget for education , there is no reason why the UC cannot afford to pay its workers enough to afford an apartment near their place of work.
The University of California has a massive budget, and they have plenty of money to spread around to pay the salaries of important people like basketball coaches and executive administrators. It's time for the UC to give the same respect to all of its employees.