Thousands Across UC Leave Work For Picket Lines, Basic Campus Services Short-Handed

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.dailycal.org/article/102099/thousands_across_uc_leave_work_for_picket_lines_ba


AFSCME Local 3299 strikers protest at the intersection of Bancroft Way and Telegraph Avenue, blocking traffic earlier in the day.

By Hadas Goshen
Contributing Writer
Thursday, July 17, 2008 | 12:17 am

Today marks the fourth day of a strike by thousands of UC system employees, leaving the campus unable to perform many of its basic services.

While many of UC Berkeley's departments are not experiencing major disruptions from the striking of members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, the demonstrations have decreased operational capacity in areas such as transportation, custodial work, construction and food service.

The strike is taking place on all UC campuses, despite a court-ordered injunction prohibiting it. The union represents more than 20,000 patient-care, technical and service employees at the university's 10 campuses and five medical centers.

Mary Cheng, supervisor of the Golden Bear Cafe, said only the supervisor, manager and cashiers have shown up to work, causing the cafe to shut down the smoothie bar, sandwich bar and the grill. While not a member of the union, Cheng said she respects the employees' right to strike even if it means more responsibility for her and the remaining workers at the cafe.

Fritz de Guzman, senior supervisor of the Recreational Sports Facility, said that while the university has hired an outside cleaning service to come and clean the facility in the evenings, it does not compare to its normal service staff schedule.

"It makes you realize how much you really need (the employees) here," de Guzman said. "If I could afford not to come into work, I would not cross the picket lines."

FULL story at link.