You have to put UC's cutthroat employment practices in the context of other state university systems. I don't know how UC compares to the average, but I've worked for both it and another state's system, and would say that UC at least gets the best staff it can get, whereas the other system doesn't even pretend to care. There is a lot of turnover at UC, whereas in the other state people stick to the same jobs for decades because they don't dream that it could be better. It is true that UC staff are treated terribly, and that salaries are not even remotely fair, but at least they speak up about it. Morale at UC could be a lot worse than it currently is.

Poorly managed pension fund (went from 10 billion to 3 billion since former enron exec manages fund). Poorly trained supervisors. Lousy employee incentive plans- and absolutely archaic management guidelines. University is held to no standard by any state governing bureau.

If the University would just allocate 3% of its uncommitted $2 billion+ to pay raises that figure in cost-of-living increases, the staff would be significantly happier, more productive, less sick, and less ofen late from long commutes (because many of them can't afford to live in town or even nearby) or from coming in from their second jobs. And yes, as it is, the staff are very much all of the above. As it is, classes and business are disrupted by people chanting on marches around campus, by actual strikes, and by a high turnover rate of employees who just can't afford to work there. You go in to get a travel voucher for a conference and the people behind the desks that you chat with and like perfectly well are talking about an intimidation tactic that the University has been engaging in, or about what they rescinded at the latest round of negotiations. Yuck. You walk out feeling ashamed. It's ridiculous. Everyone's upset and the University doesn't think that this is a sign that they're doing something wrong, or else they just don't care. Legislators have written letters and even formal documents (I don't remember what they're called - resolutions, or petitions, or what, but you can google it) describing their disapproval of the UC system's neglect of its employees. The community of Santa Barbara has expressed its concern. Strikes and similar actions have erupted on campuses all over the state. But still the University of California system refuses to acknowledge any responsibility. It would be nice if we could all just study, do our research, do our jobs and get stuff done without stuff like this going on. It makes the whole (UCSB) campus (where I am) feel crummy. Students don't want to be in a place where they see the people doing work for them being treated so badly. It's like, all of the students are so posh, but meanwhile, the people running back to work from their cheap lunches are being treated like they're not people with needs and basic human dignity. A lot of the students are still kind of oblivious, but not *really*. Like white people in the south in the '50s living in the same physical (but never social or emotional) space as blacks trying to maneuver around in a world where they were second-class citizens getting pushed around to and fro. Here a paradigm, there a paradigm, everywhere a paradigm....

The University of California might be a great school for students and faculty, but it's horrible for staff. I have worked for the UC on two campuses for over 12 years and it has gotten progressively worse. The salaries are terrible and benefits shrinking every year. Management has their heads in the sand and do not care one bit about the so-called underlings or clerical staff. We have a clerical union...CUE which is good but it's an uphill battle with the university. Several campuses went on strike recently and had great support of faculty and students. However, the university just does not care one bit and we will probably end up with no raise at all. Yes, it's nice to work with the students at a university, but the working conditions are terrible at best.

The ONLY reason that I can make ends meet with my salary, is that I am in a relationship where my spouse earns much more than I do. The leaders treat this place of higher learning like a cut-throat business. The presumption that clericals are disposable is damaging to the future. No one who has an ounce of gumption should work here. You will be treated like dirt! When those of us who are stuck here (because of the longevity factor...it's too close to a retirement to start over someplace else) finally do leave, the history and work ethic that will go with us will show the world (too late) that UC's acts to destroy the Staff part of their mission equation was the biggest blunder of all time.

UC treats its employees like disposable equipment. Those who do the work to keep the UC running on a day-to-day basis are treated with no respect or concern for their ability to make a decent living. They are more concerned with putting up buildings than taking care of their employees.

I wouldn't go as far as rating the UC as "terrible" because I have a stable job and decent benefits (if it was terrible, I would quit). However, the pay is terrible.....how can I survive in California on this kind of salary?

"The worst public employer in the state" is what one legislator called UC at hearings in Sacramento a few years ago. Sadly, it's still true. The clerical union (CUE) has filed more than 2 dozen unfair labor practice charges against UC for bargaining in bad faith, retaliation, failure to provide information, unilateral changes without bargaining, etc.

Potatoes knows his stuff. UC has the reputation as the worst public employer in California. For clericals, this means very low wages, with 54% turnover in the first year (26% overall) and disrespect. The Coalition of University Employees have filed 25 unfair labor practice charges with the Public Employee Relations Board of California. Now the big bully, UC is filing Impasse proceedings; UC claims they can only use "state" money for salaries (UNTRUE!!) Only about 36% of salaries come from the state. UC has 4 billion in unrestricted reserves. We work honestly and deserve more than 2.5% for 2 years. Our step merit pay is also due us retroactively (eg 9%) for 2 years! THIS is a TERRIBLE EMPLOYER!

While the University of California has a priistine reputation as a great college,the same cannot be said of it as an employer. People are routienly given a bad time while trying to simply do their jobs. In fact the University has a reputation of having several unfair labor practices filed against it with the state labor relatuions board.In most cases they have been found guilty.In addition,the employees are suppose to get a payraise on Oct 1 but this year that has again been held up over contract negotiations with the union. The union is asking for 3% payraises but the University is offering 1.5% per year for 2 years. That isn't even cost of living raise. The University has been late devivering payraises since 1995.This is reprehensible totally insane. So if you are looking for a job and a career with UC I would suggest that you would be better off on welfare and foodstamps. If you have anything going for you then stay away from this employer. In the long run you'll be glad that you did.