University of California employees held a demonstration today on Bancroft Way at Telegraph on the fringe of the Cal campus to protest what they see as unfair pay, medical and retirement benefits.
The protest was organized by members of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3299.
The union’s shop steward, Arnold Muza, said the union had met today with UC Berkeley and that the employees’ contract had recently expired.
Some of the protesters held placards denouncing what they referred to as “UC greed” and they expressed their frustration with what they perceived to be an excessive retirement plan for UC President Mark Yudof, who is stepping down from his position this summer after five years in the job.
Local 3299 represents 20,000 University of California workers at the ten campuses and five medical centers. Workers represented include custodians, food service workers, cooks, bus drivers, licensed vocational nurses, nursing assistants, medical assistants and techs.
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