AFSCME Staff Exchange Ideas, Successes – October 30, 2009

October 2009

UNAC/UHCP staff members participated this week in the 2009 AFSCME West Region Staff Exchange in San Francisco. The Staff Exchange brought together hundreds of AFSCME staff members from various councils and affiliates to exchange ideas and successes, and to set future goals and plans.

As part the three-day event, Exchange participants joined a vigil in support of AFSCME Local 3299 University of California members, who are struggling to achieve a fair, equitable contract. AFSCME 3299 is a statewide local organizing UC service and patient care workers to stand up for better working conditions. Staff Exchange attendees chanted in front of UC Board of Regents member Richard Blum's home, with the rally cry of "They say 'Cut Back,' we say 'Fight Back!'"

The event provided UNAC/UHCP staff the opportunity to share their experiences with other AFSCME staff, to discuss the importance of union solidarity during tough economic times, and to jointly establish goals for future AFSCME labor actions.