Our neighbors are struggling financially–members of our congregations and neighbors in our communities, whose voices are rarely heard, whose paychecks are among the lowest in the area. Who are these neighbors? Healthcare workers and custodians who work for UCSB, the largest employer in Santa Barbara.
Did you know?
• That custodians and healthcare workers at UCSB, members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME ), are paid less for the same work than other University of California campuses, the Community College and State University systems, and the City and County of Santa Barbara, despite the high cost of living on the South Coast?
• That decisions about their healthcare and pension coverage are often made without their negotiated input?
• That in order to support their families many of these workers commute long distances and work multiple jobs?
• That many of these employees have been working without a contract since 2007?
• That dignitaries such as former President Bill Clinton, retired General Wesley Clark and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., refused to speak at graduation ceremonies at UC campuses this year until a new contract is agreed upon, to show their support for the 20,000 AFSCME workers employed by the UC system?
• That the University has been working hard to improve the wages of their lower paid employees despite this difficult budget year? In 2007, the University provided special increases for employees earning less than $40,000 per year. Yet this is not enough.
Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice-Santa Barbara (CLUE-SB) is committed to supporting these workers. Join us in helping to make God’s love visible. Talk to your neighbors. Hear their stories. Speak out. Let the UC Regents and Administration know of your concern.
1 Comment
July 13, 2008 at 12:13 am
[...] at UCSB! AFSCME workers are ready to take action at UCSB. We’ve been following their struggle for some time, and we want people of faith to stand with these workers and help make their voices [...]