Workers protest subcontracting

By Timothy Kudo

Daily Bruin Staff

As workers circled Wednesday, holding signs and chanting across
from the Medical Plaza, a small group of them drove across Wilshire
Boulevard to the UCLA human resources department.

They went to the second floor and asked to see the manager of
labor relations as part of a campaign against subcontracting and
the UC’s casual worker policy.

Confronted by the group and appearing slightly worried, Ian
Freeth, the person working the front desk asked, “Is this
some kind of strike or something?”

“Not yet,” responded union representative Jose
Hernandez, who then explained the situation of casual workers and
how the laundry facility and medical records departments may be
subcontracted out to cut costs.

“There’s loads of places like that, even in
England,” said Freeth, a British native who identified
himself as a casual worker.

Though the group of about seven didn’t get to see the
manager, they were able to give her their message ““ a pink
slip made of posterboard signed by many of the workers that may be
subcontracted out.

“It has come to our attention that you have been working
for almost 11 consecutive months,” the poster said in large
bold letters. “Because you are a casual employee we want to
cheat you out of a decent job, therefore, we regret to inform you
that your employment with UCLA has come to an end.”

“You will be happy to know that you are not alone; in some
departments over 80 percent of the employees are in your situation.
Best of luck to you and your family.”

But, university officials said UCLA hasn’t decided to
subcontract yet.

Though it has accepted proposals for both facilities, it has yet
to make a decision on which company it will subcontract with, if at
all.

“We are continuing to meet with the American Federation of
State, County and Municipal Employees,” said Mark Speare,
senior associate director of human resources at the medical center
about the union representing the workers at both facilities.
“The parties are exploring ways to provide alternative
employment.”

“We hope to reach a satisfactory resolution,” he
continued.

Speare also said that the university would work to find jobs for
all the employees who will be affected, even if that includes
paying for retraining.

According to union numbers, the medical records department has
narrowed down the potential subcontractors to one company, which
will save the university about 5 percent.

But many of the workers, especially at medical records, are near
retirement age and say that subcontracting may cause them to
retire.

“I’m being forced to retire before I want to if it
goes through,” said Rosie Woods, a 36-year employee in
medical records.

At the laundry facility, union representatives said the UC has
received bids which could save it anywhere from one cent to six
cents per pound. That would save the university about $250,000 a
year, they said.

Since the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 hospitals around the
nation have been struggling to balance their own budgets in the
wake of cutbacks.

While the delegation visited human resources, the small
gathering across from the Medical Plaza grew to around 50 people
who chanted and held up signs with slogans like “Subcontract
the chancellor,” or “Subcontract this.”

Cars honked as they drove by the protesters who were mostly
students, some wearing Viable Alternative or Praxis shirts.

“As long as they’re going to fight over it,
I’m going to fight with them,” said Chez Shadman, a
second-year electrical engineering student.

One of the laundry facility workers, Walter Bruce, has worked
with the union since last year. He said the union “saved some
part of me, and now I’m out to save somebody else.”

He said he’s been struggling at the facility to support
his family but every time he wakes up, he doesn’t know if
he’s going to have a job that day.

“The university plays with people’s lives like
they’re toys,” Bruce said.