August 7, 2009

Yes, the University can furlough UPTE represented employees by notifying UPTE 45 days in advance (when feasible) of a campus closure. UPTE agreed to this in their last contract. See (http://www.upte.org/contract-rx/campus.pdf) Article 5 for RX workers or (http://www.upte.org/contract-tx/campus.pdf), Article 5 for TX workers. Same applies to HX workers except it is article 4 in that contract. UPTE represented UCSD employees received this notice, UCLA has announced the same and other campuses may soon follow.

UPTE has no viable strategy for protecting those whom they represent. First they tell you that you that UPTE represented employees cannot be furloughed (see http://www.upte.org/publication-ebulletin/2009-06-24.html). It states that "UC cannot unilaterally implement furloughs, layoffs or pay cuts to UPTE-represented TX and RX employees". Then in their next e-bulletin of July 29, 2009, they state "For the 15% of TX/RX employees dependent on state funds, UPTE seeks first of all to avoid layoffs, and then to minimize the affect of any furloughs" (see http://www.upte.org/publication-ebulletin/2009-07-29.html). This page is not accesible as of a few days ago, this occurred about August 22. My guess is that there will be changes made from the original page. With the announcement of campus closures, it now seems that UPTE cannot protect anyone it represents from being effectively furloughed.

Union members and leaders sometimes criticize me for not providing a constructive alternative. Why don't I? Because I am not about to provide succor to any organization that I believe is foolish and greedy. My focus is helping those who do not succumb to the union party line, those who do not join the union or those who quit.

Those of us who have made the choice not to join UPTE have made a wise decision. I urge all of you who have not joined to resist the UPTE propaganda to join. If you did join UPTE and are having second thoughts, let me know if you want to quit. If you resign before the strike date, you can get back some of the money that you pay to UPTE each year and you won't be bound under the agreement that you signed. If you have doubts or questions about what I've said, consult your lawyer or email me. I'm always happy to listen to those who agree or disagree with me.

Werner