May 14 2010 - ABM Worker Protest at UCI Stem Cell bldg. opening ceremony (Part 1)

FIGHT PRIVATIZATION & EXPLOITATION AT UCI!!!

UCI will be holding an opening ceremony for the newly constructed Sue & Gross Stem Cell Research Center, an $80-million building funded by a public-private partnership. The swift development of this state-of-the-art facility in the face of fee hikes, layoffs, and furloughs embodies UCIs eagerness to chase prestige and profit at the expense of its students and workers (including faculty). UCI has invested in technological innovation to bolster its reputation while accessibility to public education for its students and fair employment practices for its workers are consistently denied.

As the new stem cell research building is dedicated to advancing medicine, custodial workers who have been employed at UCI for more than 20 years do not have access to the most basic healthcare. Custodial workers outsourced by UCI through subcontracting company ABM are now facing layoffs and reduced working hours, and continue to be paid poverty wages.

Contrary to dishonest claims made by UCI administration, ABM WORKERS HAVE NOT BEEN INSOURCED by the university. In reality, UCI is attempting to circumvent negotiations with the union AFSCME and endanger the workers campaign by insourcing some of the positions, and not the workers. Come join us in defense of workers rights on this campus and tell UCI administration, NO MORE LIES!!!

Furthermore...

Governor Schwarzenegger has been invited to the opening ceremony.

He is responsible for signing the Higher Education Compact with UC President in 2004, which allows the UC system to increasingly rely on private funding and raise student tuition by 10% each year. The new stem cell building is the materialization of their privatization agenda and dismantling of public services.

COME PROTEST IN DEFENSE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AND WORKERS RIGHTS!!!


Reach us at: WorkerStudentAllianceAtUCI@gmail.com

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• UCI
• uc
• budget cuts
• exploitation
• subcontracting
• ABM
• uc system
• university of california
• protest
• action
• picket