CUE in Merced with the First Lady

CUE members from Northern California attended the UC Merced graduation ceremonies in May. First Lady Michelle Obama gave the commencement address. We went to express our distress at the way UC is handling contract negotiations and the hypocrisy of overpaying administrators while claiming to have no money for decent raises.

Click for photos.

There was no breeze, no trees at the former golf course where the commencement ceremony was held. Thousands of bottles of water were handed out (48,000 bottles purchased or donated). Despite that, eight people were sent to the hospital with heat-related symptoms. Nearly 80 went to the first aid tents with problems or perhaps a burning desire to escape the sun for a minute.

UC claims they have no money to pay workers. They are raising student fees next year by more than 9%, yet the budget for this graduation was estimated to be about $700,000. The rationale is that it will provide publicity worldwide, since Merced is an unknown entity.

Mark Yudof, UC's president (and Richard Blum's flak), said "to the faculty and staff... I want to thank you. Your work matters. These graduates would not be here today without you." Thank you, Mr. Yudof. Where's our raise?

Among other activities, CUE distributed flyers that looked like what appears below the line.