We support the AFSCME 3299 bus drivers in their efforts to provide and maintain quality services at the University of California. We are deeply concerned about the University’s recent attempts to privatize bus services at the Lawrence Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley. These are misguided and clear attempts to drive wages and benefits down while putting the quality services students are now paying more for at risk.

We support the need to work with the City of Berkeley to provide greener, more fuel efficient buses in both shuttle services. However, contracting out the entire service is not an acceptable solution. Protecting the environment shouldn't have to come at the cost of workers and their families.

UC's drivers are trained professionals with many years of experience. While the UC claims, "drivers will have jobs on campus," our services deserve the quality and professionalism they offer as drivers. Because private contractors offer even worse wages and benefits than UC, they are unable to retain quality drivers. High turnover rates among drivers lead to accidents and poor service. It is also disrespectful for the University to assume that workers on campus are "interchangeable," or any workers' skills are less valuable.  We are also still greatly concerned about the laid-off custodians and building maintenance workers. If custodian or parking enforcement officer positions can be created for drivers, then it must be possible to return laid-off custodians to work on campus.

As the AFSCME bus drivers are forced out due to inability to deal with post-outsourcing transition, stunting of professional development or lack of step increases, the Lab and the Berkeley campus only stand to gain financially. Paying cheaper benefits and wages to a contractor equates to more profit for the administration. 

We oppose the privatization of any work on campus and demand the following immediately:

1. Stop any attempt to contract out bus services on UC Berkeley Campus. Withdraw the current RFP and work with lawmakers and the drivers' union to find reasonable alternatives.

2. Cancel the current contract with MV Transportation at Lawrence Berkeley Lab, and work to find alternatives to contracting out.

3. Commit to cease any future privatization attempts on campus for any work currently performed by University employees.

Sincerely,

Sponsor

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