Police usher Cal chancellor from angry meeting

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.mercurynews.com/education/ci_9499324?nclick_check=1

By Doug Oakley
Bay Area News Group
Article Launched: 06/06/2008 01:36:50 AM PDT

Campus police escorted University of California-Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau out of the back of a building Thursday after angry union members took over a meeting, yelling and screaming about living wages.

About 350 people showed up to a meeting where Birgeneau was supposed to answer questions from the Berkeley Staff Assembly, a campus group open to all employees.

About 90 percent of the protesters wore green shirts, designating their affiliation with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

The union, which represents about 900 campus employees in service and medical jobs, is negotiating two new contracts that expired last year.

When Birgeneau walked in, they quickly took over the meeting, shouting down organizers of the meeting who tried to introduce him.

The crowd briefly stopped its chants of "No contract, no peace," to let Birgeneau speak.

FULL story at link.

[tularetom]

1. Sorry to see the conservative Cal administration is continuing to be a zit

on the otherwise happy Berzerkely vibe.

It hasn't changed one bit since the People's Park days.

[Peace Patriot]

2. Wow! That is great! I wish people would do this more often--simply rise up

and take over so-called public meetings where the government intends to shove its corporate agenda down our throats.

No more "they talk, we listen." No more three minutes for the public, and hours in the back rooms for the decision-makers. Shut 'em up! Shut 'em down! Provide them with escorts OUT THE DOOR!

:patriot: