UC Outsourcing Measure Might Be on Ballot

UC labor fight could be on ballot

8-21-19, CALMatters/WhatMatters

Organized labor-backed legislation that would ask voters to decide whether to limit contract workers at the University of California moved a step closer to the 2020 ballot Tuesday.

The measure is aimed particularly at UC medical centers, which have been the focus on ongoing labor strife, much of it over out-sourcing.

Over UC’s objections, the Senate Elections Committee approved the measure by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, a San Diego Democrat. The bill must clear one more committee before reaching the Senate floor, where it almost surely would be approved.

Gonzalez contends UC turns to contract workers because they’re less expensive, and notes many of them are minorities.

“We can’t love UC so much that we suggest that they’re exempt from our principles of basic dignity and equality.”

UC told lawmakers that the number of full-time union workers at the system has increased from 77,333 to 85,020 in the past five years. The university says it hires contract workers when there is a dire need, especially at medical centers

UC’s letter to the Legislature: “UC calculates the increased operating costs at $172.6 million per year based on the additional wage and benefit premiums associated with bringing contracted work in-house.”

What’s next: The bill heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee. If it wins final legislative approval, voters would decide whether to add a constitutional amendment restricting UC’s ability to hire outside workers.

Source: https://us11.campaign-archive.com/?e=cd8ca92ba1&u=5f4af3af825368013c58e4547&id=2f29d4dd8c
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Actual proposal at:
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200ACA14
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An earlier blog posting on this matter can be found at:
https://uclafacultyassociation.blogspot.com/2019/05/anti-uc-outsourcing-constitutional.html