This is a disgrace. Why aren't the students and faculty following her lead and boycotting? The whole thing should be cancelled

Fyght4Cal said:

---

Labor peace is sacrosanct in the California Democratic Party. Berkeley knew the risk of low-balling the members of AFSME Local 3299. There was no way that Kamala Harris could appear at Commencement during an ongoing labor dispute. The University negotiating strategy put her in a terrible position and she rightly canceled.

I know that some here have problems with unions. All I can say is this: many in this economy have been forced by employers to do work harder without commensurate increases in compensation. Organized workers do not think it is acceptable to work more for less.

---

I've got news for you, most employers (small business) are working harder for the same or less as well.

If only we could somehow organize a labor protest on the steps of the capital. It would keep Harris out of congress where she is doing and saying a lot of stupid things in her quest to be a congressional candidate.

BearGoggles said:

---

Fyght4Cal said:

---

Labor peace is sacrosanct in the California Democratic Party. Berkeley knew the risk of low-balling the members of AFSME Local 3299. There was no way that Kamala Harris could appear at Commencement during an ongoing labor dispute. The University negotiating strategy put her in a terrible position and she rightly canceled.

I know that some here have problems with unions. All I can say is this: many in this economy have been forced by employers to do work harder without commensurate increases in compensation. Organized workers do not think it is acceptable to work more for less.

---

I've got news for you, most employers (small business) are working harder for the same or less as well.

If only we could somehow organize a labor protest on the steps of the capital. It would keep Harris out of congress where she is doing and saying a lot of stupid things in her quest to be a congressional candidate.

---

She is a US senator. Your last sentence was rather confusing.....

BearGoggles said:

---

Fyght4Cal said:

---

Labor peace is sacrosanct in the California Democratic Party. Berkeley knew the risk of low-balling the members of AFSME Local 3299. There was no way that Kamala Harris could appear at Commencement during an ongoing labor dispute. The University negotiating strategy put her in a terrible position and she rightly canceled.

I know that some here have problems with unions. All I can say is this: many in this economy have been forced by employers to do work harder without commensurate increases in compensation. Organized workers do not think it is acceptable to work more for less.

---

I've got news for you, most employers (small business) are working harder for the same or less as well.

If only we could somehow organize a labor protest on the steps of the capital. It would keep Harris out of congress where she is doing and saying a lot of stupid things in her quest to be a congressional candidate.

---

Uh...it costs more to live in the Bay Area than Smalltown California? Living wage here and elsewhere is different?

I'm also not entirely sure how small businesses making enough to make ends meet and service workers getting fair compensation don't go hand in hand.

Repost.

Fyght4Cal said:

---

Labor peace is sacrosanct in the California Democratic Party. Berkeley knew the risk of low-balling the members of AFSME Local 3299. There was no way that Kamala Harris could appear at Commencement during an ongoing labor dispute. The University negotiating strategy put her in a terrible position and she rightly canceled.

I know that some here have problems with unions. All I can say is this: many in this economy have been forced by employers to do work harder without commensurate increases in compensation. Organized workers do not think it is acceptable to work more for less.

---

For a commencement speaker, it shouldn't be about the university, it's workers, or it's unions. Commencement should be all about the students. Harris let the students down, pure and simple.

71Bear said:

---

BearGoggles said:

---

Fyght4Cal said:

---

Labor peace is sacrosanct in the California Democratic Party. Berkeley knew the risk of low-balling the members of AFSME Local 3299. There was no way that Kamala Harris could appear at Commencement during an ongoing labor dispute. The University negotiating strategy put her in a terrible position and she rightly canceled.

I know that some here have problems with unions. All I can say is this: many in this economy have been forced by employers to do work harder without commensurate increases in compensation. Organized workers do not think it is acceptable to work more for less.

---

I've got news for you, most employers (small business) are working harder for the same or less as well.

If only we could somehow organize a labor protest on the steps of the capital. It would keep Harris out of congress where she is doing and saying a lot of stupid things in her quest to be a congressional candidate.

---

She is a US senator. Your last sentence was rather confusing.....

---

I think he meant "in her quest to be a Presidential candidate."

May 13, 2017:



May 12, 2018:

Whiskey tango foxtrot is Golden Bear Stadium?

http://www.dailycal.org/2018/05/12/union-strike-protests-outside-commencement/

Golden One said:

---

71Bear said:

---

BearGoggles said:

---

Fyght4Cal said:

---

Labor peace is sacrosanct in the California Democratic Party. Berkeley knew the risk of low-balling the members of AFSME Local 3299. There was no way that Kamala Harris could appear at Commencement during an ongoing labor dispute. The University negotiating strategy put her in a terrible position and she rightly canceled.

I know that some here have problems with unions. All I can say is this: many in this economy have been forced by employers to do work harder without commensurate increases in compensation. Organized workers do not think it is acceptable to work more for less.

---

I've got news for you, most employers (small business) are working harder for the same or less as well.

If only we could somehow organize a labor protest on the steps of the capital. It would keep Harris out of congress where she is doing and saying a lot of stupid things in her quest to be a congressional candidate.

---

She is a US senator. Your last sentence was rather confusing.....

---

I think he meant "in her quest to be a Presidential candidate."

---

correct. I meant presidential candidate.

BearGoggles said:

---

Golden One said:

---

71Bear said:

---

BearGoggles said:

---

Fyght4Cal said:

---

Labor peace is sacrosanct in the California Democratic Party. Berkeley knew the risk of low-balling the members of AFSME Local 3299. There was no way that Kamala Harris could appear at Commencement during an ongoing labor dispute. The University negotiating strategy put her in a terrible position and she rightly canceled.

I know that some here have problems with unions. All I can say is this: many in this economy have been forced by employers to do work harder without commensurate increases in compensation. Organized workers do not think it is acceptable to work more for less.

---

I've got news for you, most employers (small business) are working harder for the same or less as well.

If only we could somehow organize a labor protest on the steps of the capital. It would keep Harris out of congress where she is doing and saying a lot of stupid things in her quest to be a congressional candidate.

---

She is a US senator. Your last sentence was rather confusing.....

---

I think he meant "in her quest to be a Presidential candidate."

---

correct. I meant presidential candidate.

---

Oh, ok... I vote for her in the last election and I would vote for her in 2020 if she runs for President. I like her....

pingpong2 said:

---

Whiskey tango foxtrot is Golden Bear Stadium?

http://www.dailycal.org/2018/05/12/union-strike-protests-outside-commencement/

---

Maybe it means we sold the stadium naming rights to Jack Nicklaus.

I really appreciate UC Berkeley using a modern photo of Memorial Stadium.

Well, if it was my graduation, and it was a choice between a politician who talks a lot (hence the offer to speak) and gets little to nothing done or the Chancellor who has done a significant amount in her short time in her position, it's a no brainer.

Fyght4Cal said:

---

Labor peace is sacrosanct in the California Democratic Party. Berkeley knew the risk of low-balling the members of AFSME Local 3299. There was no way that Kamala Harris could appear at Commencement during an ongoing labor dispute. The University negotiating strategy put her in a terrible position and she rightly canceled.

I know that some here have problems with unions. All I can say is this: many in this economy have been forced by employers to do work harder without commensurate increases in compensation. Organized workers do not think it is acceptable to work more for less.

---

She did it for political reasons and those workers are making over 10% the going rate. Give me a break.

10% over...in California's current economy is very little given housing costs. We're talking $1mil median home prices.

10% over the going rate in her community.

oski003 said:

---

10% over the going rate in her community.

---

Who is her, and where is her community?

If that's the Bay Area, or California, housing prices still apply.

Their community... Feel free to donate as much as you can to build transportation to the universities from areas with less expensive housing or give them your spare money to make the most expensive parts of the country more affordable.

oski003 said:

---

Their community... Feel free to donate as much as you can to build transportation to the universities from areas with less expensive housing or give them your spare money to make the most expensive parts of the country more affordable.

---

I already have.

Another Bear said:

---

oski003 said:

---

Their community... Feel free to donate as much as you can to build transportation to the universities from areas with less expensive housing or give them your spare money to make the most expensive parts of the country more affordable.

---

I already have.

---

. In that case, I like your post

Ncsf said:

---

Fyght4Cal said:

---

Labor peace is sacrosanct in the California Democratic Party. Berkeley knew the risk of low-balling the members of AFSME Local 3299. There was no way that Kamala Harris could appear at Commencement during an ongoing labor dispute. The University negotiating strategy put her in a terrible position and she rightly canceled.

I know that some here have problems with unions. All I can say is this: many in this economy have been forced by employers to do work harder without commensurate increases in compensation. Organized workers do not think it is acceptable to work more for less.

---

She did it for political reasons and those workers are making over 10% the going rate. Give me a break.

---

No one said her reasons aren't political. Salaries are inherently political, especially those paid by public entities through collective bargaining. As is labor peace.

As for your 10% assertion, show us contract figures, or it didn't happen.

oski003 said:

---

Their community... Feel free to donate as much as you can to build transportation to the universities from areas with less expensive housing or give them your spare money to make the most expensive parts of the country more affordable.

---

Please define "their community". Who are they and where are they?

https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/news/2018/04/important-information-for-uc-employees-about-an-afscme-strike-vote.html

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna871781

UC says they make above market. Strikers argue about disparity between admin pay and worker pay. Do you have evidence that the striking custodians and food workers are paid below market?

oski003 said:

---

https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/news/2018/04/important-information-for-uc-employees-about-an-afscme-strike-vote.html

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna871781

UC says they make above market. Strikers argue about disparity between admin pay and worker pay. Do you have evidence that the striking custodians and food workers are paid below market?

---

I am pretty sure "above market" is the whole point of a union. 10% above market does not seem outrageous, especially when the market rate does not provide a living wage in a very expensive region. We need more unions to move the market, not fewer.

oski003 said:

---

https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/news/2018/04/important-information-for-uc-employees-about-an-afscme-strike-vote.html

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna871781

UC says they make above market. Strikers argue about disparity between admin pay and worker pay. Do you have evidence that the striking custodians and food workers are paid below market?

---

Public unions try to set the labor market floor, not the ceiling. The question is whether these are living wages or not. Clearly, the workers think, not.

Fyght4Cal said:

---

Labor peace is sacrosanct in the California Democratic Party. Berkeley knew the risk of low-balling the members of AFSME Local 3299. There was no way that Kamala Harris could appear at Commencement during an ongoing labor dispute. The University negotiating strategy put her in a terrible position and she rightly canceled.

I know that some here have problems with unions. All I can say is this: many in this economy have been forced by employers to do work harder without commensurate increases in compensation. Organized workers do not think it is acceptable to work more for less.

---

I disagree. I am a life long Progressive/Liberal and for a number of years through college was a card-carrying member of the Teamsters. I totally support unions "the people who brought you the week-end (I.e. The 5-day work week)"

But there were things that KH could have done to keep both her commitment to Cal and her support for unions.

For one she could have opened her remarks with an explanation of her support for unions and advised UC to come to a swift agreement with the union. Then she could have continued with her formal remarks to the students.
If she was concerned about how this would play with the unions she could have coordinated in advance with the union leadership even so far as getting input coordinated with the union leadership and get their recommendations about what should be said about the strike.
(Maybe this seems all too difficult and it would be better just to not show up. But isn't that what a good leader is supposed to do. Accommodate conflicting public concerns and not just take the easy way out.)

I called her office and left that message with her assistant and told the assistant that I was very disappointed with KH's lack of creativity and fortitude in failing to make a greater effort to honor her commitment to Cal while at the same time also supporting the unions.
I also said that with open primaries in CA if she was ever up against another Democrat, she could not count on my vote or support.

I know that my one call would probably have no effect at all on KH. But I needed her to know that she had just lost the vote of one of her former loyal supporters.

GivemTheAxe said:

---

Fyght4Cal said:

---

Labor peace is sacrosanct in the California Democratic Party. Berkeley knew the risk of low-balling the members of AFSME Local 3299. There was no way that Kamala Harris could appear at Commencement during an ongoing labor dispute. The University negotiating strategy put her in a terrible position and she rightly canceled.

I know that some here have problems with unions. All I can say is this: many in this economy have been forced by employers to do work harder without commensurate increases in compensation. Organized workers do not think it is acceptable to work more for less.

---

I disagree. I am a life long Progressive/Liberal and for a number of years through college was a card-carrying member of the Teamsters. I totally support unions "the people who brought you the week-end (I.e. The 5-day work week)"

But there were things that KH could have done to keep both her commitment to Cal and her support for unions.

For one she could have opened her remarks with an explanation of her support for unions and advised UC to come to a swift agreement with the union. Then she could have continued with her formal remarks to the students.
If she was concerned about how this would play with the unions she could have coordinated in advance with the union leadership even so far as getting input coordinated with the union leadership and get their recommendations about what should be said about the strike.
(Maybe this seems all too difficult and it would be better just to not show up. But isn't that what a good leader is supposed to do. Accommodate conflicting public concerns and not just take the easy way out.)

I called her office and left that message with her assistant and told the assistant that I was very disappointed with KH's lack of creativity and fortitude in failing to make a greater effort to honor her commitment to Cal while at the same time also supporting the unions.
I also said that with open primaries in CA if she was ever up against another Democrat, she could not count on my vote or support.

I know that my one call would probably have no effect at all on KH. But I needed her to know that she had just lost the vote of one of her former loyal supporters.

---

Thank you for your considered reply. There is no chance that KH made her decision without close, continuous consultation with Local 3299. I say that as a both former staff to state electeds and as political director of several AFL-CIO affiliates. Crossing the line is crossing the line. Crossing and explaining is like being a little bit pregnant. No matter how many excuses you make, you're still completely f'd.

Golden One said:

---

Harris is a wimp without a spine. What an embarrassment to have her as a U.S. Senator.

---

She isn't worthy of the honor. She is a typical greedy scumming pol