UC-AFT

The California Federation of Teachers, UC-AFT's statewide affiliate, has released recommendations for candidates and ballot measures for the November 2010 elections.   To see CFT's full list of recommendations click the link below.   

CFT November 2010 Election Recommendations

The Alternative Commission on the Future of UC surveyed over 1000 UC students, faculty, staff, and alumni to gauge the level of support for the official Commission on the Future's proposals.  The results of the survey are  detailed in a report entitled, A Future for All.  

Click here to download the report.

For more information on the Commission on the Future of UC, click here.

The proposals currently being offered by the UC Commission on the Future would limit access by reducing enrollments, shift costs to undergraduates through increased fees, and further erode quality by reducing teaching staff and rushing degrees via online courses and increased reliance on summer sessions.

From UC to DC:  Solutions to the Faux Budget Crisis  by Marcy Winograd

Last year, when I spoke at the UCLA rally to protest tuition hikes, I noticed the blinds close
across Covell Commons, where the University of California's Board of Regents met in secrecy.
As students waved signs that read "Instruction, Not Construction" and "Free UC" and "UC Has Billions", the Regents unilaterally decided to hike student fees 32%, ostensibly to close an ever-widening budget gap exacerbated by the recession.

UC-AFT has been closely tracking the impacts of recent budget cuts on our positions and on our members.  During January and February of 2010 we collected over 500 responses to our survey on layoffs and reductions in time within Unit 18.  The survey provided valuable information about the number of layoffs, but more importantly, respondents gave us detailed information about how the cuts have affected workload, quality of courses, and the quality of jobs in general.   

In the Berkeley Faculty Association’s criticisms of the Commission on the Future of the University, there is a constant devaluing of the work of lecturers.  One passage argues that,  “Recommendations for savings call for reduced time to degree and cheaper “instructional delivery systems”-- lecturer-taught or on-line courses.

Beginning in 2009, lecturer positions throughout the UC system have been targeted by campus administrators as easy cost saving measures.  Since Spring quarter 2009, UC-AFT’s Unit 18 has decreased in size by 11%.  Nearly all of this reduction came from pre-six job titles that do not require layoff notice.  These positions are simply not renewed.  In addition to the pre-six non-renewals, layoff notices have been issued to hundreds of continuing appointees throughout the system.  Many of these notices are reductions in time, but dozens are full layoffs.

UC Regent designate Charlene Zettel was confirmed by the CA Senate on May 6 with the minimum number of votes possible for confirmation.  After 3 roll calls, Zettel finally received the essential 21 votes required.  

Zettel was opposed by the UC Union Coalition due to her anti-worker voting record as a state assembly member in the early 2000's, and her refusal to commit to joint governance of UCRP.  The union coalition launched a last minute effort to convince democratic senators that as a Regent Zettel would not act in the interests of UC students or workers.  

Originally Published in the Daily Bruin

By Nicholas Greitzer

 On May 4th from 5-7pm at Humanities 135, faculty, workers, and students will meet together to discuss an alternative Commission for the Future of the University.  The first hour will consist of presentations outlining specific recommendations, while the second hour will revolve around a democratic selection of the top suggestions.  After this meeting, we will present our recommendations to the media and the Office of the President.