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Students and Workers Begin 3-day Fast at UCLA
Daily News Wire Services
Article Last Updated: 06/04/2008 04:55:03 PM PDT
LOS ANGELES - About 20 students and workers began a three-day fast at UCLA Wednesday to call for a new contract for UC health care and service workers, and the group presented 1,000 petition signatures supporting former President Bill Clinton's refusal to cross a picket line to speak at the university's commencement ceremony.
Clinton announced last week that he would skip his speech at UCLA's June 13 commencement ceremony if it meant crossing a picket line of University of California and health and service workers.
"While I'm honored to be invited and (am) really looking forward to speaking at UCLA's commencement ceremonies, I can't cross the picket line," Clinton said. "I hope it can be resolved quickly." Some students said they want to show support for the workers and encourage continued negotiations to try to resolve the labor dispute.
"I am participating in this three-day fast because I feel that the University of California is creating poverty in our communities," graduating senior David Chavez said. "Costs go up, wages remain the same and these families have to make hard choices on how to survive."
The 20,000 members of Local 3299 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees had voted to authorize a two-day strike that was supposed to be held today and Thursday, but that walkout was canceled when UC and union officials decided to resume contract talks.
AFSCME-represented workers include radiology, respiratory and operating room technicians; cooks, food servers and caterers; and custodians, groundskeepers and other maintenance workers in the UC health care system, which includes Santa Monica-UCLA and four other hospitals plus student health centers,
UCLA spokesman Phil Hampton said contract negotiations are continuing, and officials are "hoping for a fair and equitable resolution soon."
Hampton said talks were also continuing with Clinton's office in preparation for his scheduled speech.
UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said in a statement that university officials were working to reach a deal with the union.
"While I admire the activism and dedication of students advocating a contract for union members, I am concerned they may place themselves at risk of health problems by refusing food," Block said. "I also am concerned that these students could jeopardize their ability to perform well during final examinations scheduled this week.
"Students should be assured that UC and union negotiators are working to achieve a new contract and that I share the objective of reaching agreement on a fair and equitable contract for employees," he said.
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