phyncke

So today at lunch, I went to a labor union meeting. While I am up for a reclass out of the union classification, for the moment I am a union member and we had an important discussion today. Do we participate in a walk out on Sept 24th with the faculty and other unions to let them know that we are not happy with the erosion of our rights at the University? This is a statewide action and I voted for this.

I have strong labor ties in my family history. My great uncle was a member of the MIT pipe fitters union and other family members were proud early labor activists. In earlier decades, labor unions faced violent repercussions to fight for the rights that we now hold dear...safe working conditions, a living wage, benefits and retirement pensions. They faced private police forces, hoses and worse for this. The least we can do is run a picket line to voice our opinion in the face of the current erosion of our work lives. As it was explained to me, we are not currently under contract, and so are not bound by a no strike clause.

I reminded the people in the room about the history of the labor movement in our country and what the current situation represented. The deterioration...when you hear people saying they are "lucky to be working" that really says something. It also leaves it open for this kind of thing, the taking away of rights and benefits that have been fought for with lives and blood.

I voted for the walk out. I will participate on the picket line. The message needs to be sent. Given that this is a coordinated effort of faculty, staff and we hope, students. This could say something. Will see.

If you work for UC. I urge you to do this...and pass this message on. If not...just reading is enough.