2008 Woodie Awards
Union, CSUs may cut fees for workers
By: Ben Burg
Issue date: 11/12/08 Section: News
Editor's note: This article has been corrected. See below.
Negotiations Friday gave more than 4,000 California State University student workers the chance to get thousands of dollars back in their pockets from college fee waivers.
The United Auto Workers and the CSU Chancellor's Office could not come to an agreement regarding fee waivers that may give 200 Chico State students free tuition, said Scott Clifthorne, international representative at UAW.
"People are hopping-ass mad right now," Clifthorne said. "Our membership is agitated with the university and its inability to negotiate."
Workers' contracts have been extended through next week until the negotiations resume Friday, Clifthorne said.
Since the negotiations did not go well, the UAW filed suit Friday against the CSU system claiming unfair labor practices, Clifthorne said.
The bargaining team is still discussing the union's threat of a strike, Clifthorne said.
Student workers such as teaching assistants, tutors and graduate assistants give a lot back to the university and do make a difference, said Lisa Cult, a graduate assistant who tutors and TAs.
Cult is not a member of the UAW but thinks the fee waivers, though perhaps unfair for students who work off campus, are a good idea, she said.
"I probably wouldn't join the strike," Cult said. "I wouldn't want to jeopardize my relationship with my professor."
If a student instructor does go on strike the university will try to fill those spots while the students are out, said Leslie Nix-Baker, vice provost for human resources.
"People have the right to strike and picket with hopefully the least amount of disruption to the classes and students," Nix-Baker said.
UAW originally started representing workers in the automotive industry, but as its client base grew, the company kept its title.
The CSU Chancellor's Office hopes to settle this dispute before a strike occurs, said Teresa Ruiz, public affairs communication specialist for the office, Thursday before the negotiations.
The state is in the middle of a budget crisis and the cost of waivers is $8 million to $10 million, Ruiz said.
"Looking at the context of what is going on, there is still a lot of work to do for the situation," she said.
The CSU Chancellor's Office could not be reached following Friday's negotiations.
Andrew Anstead is a graduate assistant in the kinesiology department and sees the UAW's stance as viable, he said.
"Other schools offer these waivers, so why not us?" Anstead said. "I know Chico has a lower tuition, but there are a lot of student jobs on campus."
Ben Burg can be reached at
bburg@theorion.com
The article incorrectly stated that Lisa Cult was a graduate assistant. The correct spelling of her name is Lisa Cull, and she is a graduate student, teacher assistant and tutor. The Orion's reporters strive for accuracy. We recognize that mistakes will occur, but we treat every error very seriously. If you feel a correction needs to be made, e-mail the managing editor at managingeditor@theorion.com
Negotiations Friday gave more than 4,000 California State University student workers the chance to get thousands of dollars back in their pockets from college fee waivers.
The United Auto Workers and the CSU Chancellor's Office could not come to an agreement regarding fee waivers that may give 200 Chico State students free tuition, said Scott Clifthorne, international representative at UAW.
"People are hopping-ass mad right now," Clifthorne said. "Our membership is agitated with the university and its inability to negotiate."
Workers' contracts have been extended through next week until the negotiations resume Friday, Clifthorne said.
Since the negotiations did not go well, the UAW filed suit Friday against the CSU system claiming unfair labor practices, Clifthorne said.
The bargaining team is still discussing the union's threat of a strike, Clifthorne said.
Student workers such as teaching assistants, tutors and graduate assistants give a lot back to the university and do make a difference, said Lisa Cult, a graduate assistant who tutors and TAs.
Cult is not a member of the UAW but thinks the fee waivers, though perhaps unfair for students who work off campus, are a good idea, she said.
"I probably wouldn't join the strike," Cult said. "I wouldn't want to jeopardize my relationship with my professor."
If a student instructor does go on strike the university will try to fill those spots while the students are out, said Leslie Nix-Baker, vice provost for human resources.
"People have the right to strike and picket with hopefully the least amount of disruption to the classes and students," Nix-Baker said.
UAW originally started representing workers in the automotive industry, but as its client base grew, the company kept its title.
The CSU Chancellor's Office hopes to settle this dispute before a strike occurs, said Teresa Ruiz, public affairs communication specialist for the office, Thursday before the negotiations.
The state is in the middle of a budget crisis and the cost of waivers is $8 million to $10 million, Ruiz said.
"Looking at the context of what is going on, there is still a lot of work to do for the situation," she said.
The CSU Chancellor's Office could not be reached following Friday's negotiations.
Andrew Anstead is a graduate assistant in the kinesiology department and sees the UAW's stance as viable, he said.
"Other schools offer these waivers, so why not us?" Anstead said. "I know Chico has a lower tuition, but there are a lot of student jobs on campus."
Ben Burg can be reached at
bburg@theorion.com
The article incorrectly stated that Lisa Cult was a graduate assistant. The correct spelling of her name is Lisa Cull, and she is a graduate student, teacher assistant and tutor. The Orion's reporters strive for accuracy. We recognize that mistakes will occur, but we treat every error very seriously. If you feel a correction needs to be made, e-mail the managing editor at managingeditor@theorion.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Anti Union
posted 11/12/08 @ 11:39 AM PST
First the big three, now that they're ready to implode so move on to the CSU system. Surprisingly UAW has not chosen to represent other CSU workers that perform tougher/degrading tasks. (Continued…)
Post a Comment