LEGISLATURE SUPPORTS FEE WAIVER AND CRITICIZES CSU EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

December 11, 2008

Yesterday afternoon, CSU administrators faced bipartisan criticism in Sacramento.  Democratic and Republican members of the Senate Budget Sub-committee on Education hammered CSU for the University’s recent, irresponsible decision to give executives lavish compensation increases (to see the original story on executive salary increases, click here or go to http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/19/BAJ7147DGN.DTL 

Senator Gloria Romero also called CSU on the rug over the fact that UC gives fee waivers to academic student employees, while CSU continues to refuse to agree to a fee waiver for ASEs at CSU. Watch the video here or go to http://www.calchannel.com/MEDIA/1210B.asx (The portion about CSU Funding begins at 2 hours and 27 minutes).

Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg also re-affirmed his commitment to helping CSU and UAW reach agreement over the fee waiver dispute.

UAW members from around the state gave testimony at the hearing, giving firsthand accounts of how CSU’s unlawful bargaining and failure to reach agreement on a fee waiver has negatively impacted ASEs.  Following the hearing, legislators met with UAW members to share their commitment to fighting for a fee waiver for ASEs, and share their concern over the hypocrisy of increasing executive salaries 19% when ASEs’ wages have been cut, on average, 7%. (Watch at http://www.calchannel.com/MEDIA/1210B.asx at 2 hours 54 minutes)

Legislators’ solidarity with the UAW is a positive and helpful sign that with the assistance of Senator Steinberg, UAW and CSU can reach agreement on a fee waiver in the near future.

HOWEVER: legislative involvement is no guarantee that CSU will bargain lawfully, or that we will reach agreement with the University.  Members should remain prepared to strike in the event that CSU continues to bargain unlawfully.  We will keep you updated as things progress in Sacramento.

To get involved, or to help continue keeping your fellow ASEs mobilized for a potential unfair labor practice strike, reply to this email or call the statewide office at (916) 498 8452.

In Solidarity,
UAW 4123 Bargaining Team

December 9, 2008
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg to Meet with UAW and CSU to Help Resolve Contract Dispute Over Fee Waivers - UAW Agrees to Postpone Strike

Contact: Scott Bailey Clifthorne, 415-810-0652 

(CALIFORNIA) – California Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg will sit down with UAW Local 4123 and the California State University in an effort to reach resolution on their contract dispute.  The dispute is centered around a fee waiver benefit for academic student employees.  UAW Local 4123 has agreed to postpone its strike, originally scheduled to begin at 7 AM, December 10, pending these meetings with the University and Senate President Pro Tempore Steinberg.

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December 9, 2008
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

UAW Local 4123 to Strike at California State University Beginning Wednesday, December 10 Over CSU's Unfair Labor Practices

Contact: Scott Bailey Clifthorne, 415-810-0652 

(CALIFORNIA) - UAW Local 4123 announced today that Teaching Associates, Graduate Assistants, Tutors and other Instructional Student Assistants will strike at the California State University starting tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10 over the CSU’s unfair labor practices.  UAW members voted to authorize the bargaining team to call the strike by a 98.5% margin.  Striking employees will be eligible for up to $200/week in strike benefits.
 
The CSU’s unlawful bargaining includes not providing information critical to the bargaining process, not having the authority to bargain at the table, and conditioning resolution of one critical issue – a fee waiver for academic student employees – on settling wage “re-opener” bargaining with other unions.

“Our members are prepared to hold CSU accountable for its unlawful bargaining practices,” said James Banks, President of UAW Local 4123. “However, we remain hopeful that a strike can be averted.”  A strong majority of UAW 4123 members have signed on to a letter to Chancellor Reed calling on the CSU to provide fee waivers to ASEs. 

Legislative leaders, including Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg, Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee Anthony Portantino, and Chair of the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee Sandré Swanson have called on CSU Chancellor Reed to negotiate a fee waiver with the UAW.  Assemblymember Portantino wrote, “Despite their valuable contribution to the mission of the University, ASEs took a 7% wage cut when fees increased this year.  Without a fee waiver, the average ASE earns a mere $1.80 an hour, after paying student fees.”

ASEs are the only group of unionized employees or administrators at CSU that do not receive a fee waiver benefit.  Fee waivers are also a standard benefit for ASEs at universities across the country, including the University of California.

The Union has the support of other campus unions and has secured strike sanction from central labor councils around the state.

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