Speaks Out

Should ASUCLA pay higher wages for

unionized workers or use the money to serve students
more directly?

Luis Rodriguez First-year, Law “The
people working here have lower wages and less job security than
most of the work force, so I don’t see what damage there is
in paying unionized workers more. Maybe the priority should go to
student workers, but when you can’t find students willing to
work, the university needs to serve the community’s needs.
It’s a public institution.” Elizabeth
Hoy First-year, Undeclared “These workers
aren’t any less valuable to the university just because
they’re not students. There are a lot of non-student workers
on campus, and we would all suffer without them.”
Lance Huang Third-year, Economics and sociology
“The university focuses too much on the bottom line and not
enough on student and community needs. The university policy should
be based on public wants and needs, not the decisions of six old
guys sitting in their rooms.” Mike
McLaughlin Fourth-year, History “Unions are always
beneficial as advocates of workers’ rights, and especially
necessary at such a large institution. Without a union, it’s
very easy to lose sight of the workers and their needs.”
shake Ovasapyan Second-year, Biology “The
university has to provide people with living wages and basic health
coverage for their families. It’s not just a monetary issue,
it’s one of human rights.” Stacy
Robertson Fourth-year, History “These people could
be saving money to go to college ““ to go to UCLA.
They’re never going to reach their goals if the university
keeps paying them less than they deserve because it becomes
impossible to balance all of their expenses.” Speaks Out
compiled by Cody Cass, Daily Bruin staff.