For Thursday 18 June 2009

In Attendance:

EBoard Members:   Delores Dillard (President), Andrew Shapiro (Vice President), Dawn Geddes (Treasurer), Kate Schultz (Secretary), Cheryl Yancey (Trustee) and 37  members

Staff:   Gloria Harlee and Isaac Mora

This was meant to be a single item agenda, How to Motivate More Members to Become More Active.   However, in light of Yudof's letter to the UC Berkeley Community, the focus shifted.   Delores passed around a sign up sheet for those who wished to speak.   Six people signed up to speak.

Re:   Overview of Yudof's letter of 06/18/09

After opening comments, Delores invited comments.    All noted that members need to get active and to support the CUE Bargaining Team.   Any actions the University wishes to engage in must be at the bargaining table and must be negotiated.   It was noted in the letter that the unrepresented, not the represented, are being asked for feedback.   A member said that clericals are unclear as to their membership status.   Amatullah (member of the Bargaining Team) explained the difference between the fair share and agency fee.   It was stressed that the Bargaining Team is asking for a complete and accurate accounting of the University's finances.

Amatullah reported that the VP of HR invited union leaders to a meeting.   AFSCME objected to Yudof's power to declare a fiscal emergency.   Reminded those present of UC's "Hidden Wealth" of 2002-2003--and that at the end of 2008, UC had $400m.   UC is being asked to submit to OP what the true financial picture is.   It was further noted that less than 25% of staff are paid out of state funds.   Won't know any figures until mid-August.

Re:   Motivating, Mobilization and Yudof's Letter

Action Committee meeting planned, fact finding must be done and perhaps the letter was just what was needed to create motivation.

Re:   Effect of 8% Salary Reduction on Retirement.

Expressed the concern that the 8% cut in wages will affect retirement.   The percentage of cuts asked for is not evenly distributed, i.e., those below a certain level of income face a 4% decrease, while those above are facing an 8% decrease.

Re:   Participation in START

Reported that in a unit two people were told to take a 25% cut of their jobs, VCRO (?); START--then management backtracked, saying they were uncertain whether START would start.   Amatullah noted that START is voluntary and that the member is the one who has to agree whether to participate or not in START.

Re:   Pressure to Quit or Be Laid Off

Reported that there are only 4 people in his unit and that the state only provides 10K to his unit.   He further reported pressure to quit or get laid off.   Mark has been in touch with a CUE steward.   He wanted to keep the members informed.

Re:   Frustration Over VSP

Expressed rancor over the VSP.   Amatullah, Claudette and Kathy spent several minutes clarifying key issues in regard to VSP, among them the following:   the initial VSP was only for nonrepresented, it was made available to the represented, HOWEVER, UC Berkeley was the only campus that chose to NOT make it available to the represented, the time allowed for making the decision was NOT expanded, therefore the deadline was the same, making it extremely short notice.

The remaining agenda items were tabled until the next EBoard meeting of 06.25.09.
It was decided to hold an Action Committee Meeting on Wednesday 06.24.09, at noon.   A member volunteered to find a room and an email will be sent to the membership informing them of where the meeting will be held.

Submitted by:

Catharine Schultz
Local 3 Secretary