Local 2199 (UCSC) Letter to Virginia Steel

Virginia Steel

University Librarian

University Library

University of California, Santa Cruz

Dear Ginny,

We write you, in your capacity as both our University Librarian and the incoming convener of the Council of University Librarians, to express our shared concern at the University's decision to withhold the merit increases due librarians in the most recent review period, pending the conclusion of salary reopener negotiations between the Office of the President and the University Council—American Federation of Teachers.

While bargaining is indeed in progress over range adjustments that would be applied in future, we consider the withholding of pay for work that has already been done, and for which librarians have been positively reviewed, to be punitive and counterproductive. Despite Article 14, Section D, of the Memorandum of Understanding—'during reopeners...on Salary, any increases must be expressly agreed to by the parties'—this unprecedented action imposes great hardship on employees who have performed meritoriously, and in some cases extraordinarily, during the previous review period. We worry this will exacerbate difficulties with retention and recruitment, as well as undercut our ability to fulfil the Library’s mission and our own professional obligations.

There are other negative implications beyond loss of pay:

• Librarians near or at the top of the pay scale are forced to re-calculate their retirement date as the top three years' earnings are postponed. This will inevitably serve to delay such retirements, costing the University more as senior employees stay on longer than anticipated.
• The longer merit increases are withheld, the greater the retroactive lump-sum payment and therefore the greater the likelihood of higher tax assessment on receipt.
• The effect on morale is particularly destructive, singling out (as President Yudof’s 17^th August letter to UC chancellors does) non-represented employees as the only ones who deserve merit increases.

Represented librarians have worked under the same conditions, mentioned in President Yudof's letter, as those non-represented: those currently due a merit increase have not received one in nearly three (assistant and associate ranks) or nearly four (librarian rank) years; no cost-of-living increase has been granted since one of 0.5 per cent in fiscal year 2002; reductions in pay were endured by all due to furlough; most work longer hours and have greater responsibilities because of workforce reductions; and all have seen take-home pay diminish from mandatory increases in benefits contributions. Dividing librarians in this manner in the name of, as President Yudof put it, fairness is patently unfair.

We would greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet with you, prior to the next scheduled negotiating session of 1^st September, to get your, and the Council of ULs’, understanding of and position on this issue. It is our hope the University Librarians, who know and work directly with the UC librarian workforce, will support that workforce by voicing their concern at the University's decision to withhold earned wages from employees who have demonstrated their commitment and dedication to the University and its mission to serve the education and research needs of its students and faculty. Furthermore, the active involvement of the ULs is crucial in the librarians’ reasonable attempt to address the growing retention and service issues in UC libraries by securing pay competitive with that of their counterparts in California’s other systems of higher education. The University community will only benefit from the maintenance and enhancement of this vital service.

Most sincerely,