CUE-Teamsters Ask UC-Davis Chancellor to Stop Pay Discrimination

Workers Without Contract or Pay Raise for Years

DAVIS, Calif., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CUE-Teamsters Local 2010 members that are employed by the University of California at Davis (UCD) called on parents attending yesterday's Parent Brunch to contact Chancellor Linda Katehi and ask for help in resolving the continued contract and wage issues they are facing. Prior to the brunch, CUE-Teamsters handed out leaflets to attendees and held a press conference.

The CUE-Teamsters have been without a contract since 2008 as the university has continued to stall and delay negotiations for a new contract with the bargaining unit. The workers at UC-Davis have not had a pay increase since 2007, even as other bargaining units have received wage increases.

"I work for a world-renowned university, but I get paid less than someone doing the same job at a community college," said Dawn Collings, an administrative assistant on the Davis campus. "Only a couple of years ago the UC Regents and President promised to bridge the gap of inequities in pay. But, that promise was broken."

The CUE-Teamster members work as clerical and administrative assistants at each of the 10 university campuses. The entire unit, which voted to affiliate with the Teamsters Union this past May, has been trying to negotiate a contract for the past two years.

"Our members at UC Davis want their voice to be heard," said Rome Aloise, Teamsters International Vice President and principal officer of Teamsters Joint Council 7. "By raising their concerns over their contract at the Parent Brunch, they have given Chancellor Katehi the opportunity to do the right thing to make sure that UC starts treating these members of the Davis community with respect. It is our hope she will take immediate action to resolve this issue."

Robert Dawa, a three-year employee at the Davis campus, also spoke at the press conference about how the university wants employees to pay higher health care premiums and contribute more money to their retirement fund all while planning to cut their pay. "It's unfair," Dawa said. "UC absolutely refuses to offer us a contract that will address these issues."

Lyle Smith, Field Director of Yolo County Democratic Central Committee and Bill Camp, Executive Secretary of the Sacramento Central Labor Council joined the CUE-Teamster members during the press conference as a sign of solidarity.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

SOURCE CUE-Teamsters Local Union 2010