CA and NM university workers have been busy in the past few weeks fighting for fairness.

Custodians from the University of California and AFSCME Local 3299 are waging a fierce battle for pay equity. Although some of them have cleaned UC Berkeley’s dorms and classrooms for 5 years, they make a mere $12 an hour. Not only are they unable keep up with the cost of living, but they earn significantly less than counterparts from other universities in the area. Allied with students and community supporters, they engaged in civil disobedience (click here to see the video) as well as filed unfair labor practice charges against the university.

Struggling for better pay, fellow members from AFSCME New Mexico State University Local 2393 recently marched and delivered their wage increase petitions to the university administrators. In spite of its excellent financial health, NMSU is claiming the need to reduce costs and is hinting at the possibility of layoffs. With their jobs, health and safety at stake, NMSU employees marched for better pay in an event that garnered the attention of local television, issuing a call for the administration to work with them at the bargaining table.

Learn more about the battles that AFSCME members are waging by clicking on the above links and visiting our Web site regularly.