By La Voz; January 28th, 2014

It is true that this past year hasn’t seen huge budget cuts and fee hikes like 2009, a statewide public education movement like 2010, police brutality and the Occupy movement like 2011. There have been no fee hikes since last year, and part of the University budget was restored.

There are some reasons for that. This is neither a coincidence nor a kind gesture from the state and UC administration. It is a concrete result of the student and worker movement at the UC and statewide for quality and free public education for all.

 

WORSE EDUCATION QUALITY, WORSE UC PRESIDENT

 

But this is just the beginning. The demands of the student and worker movement are far from being fulfilled and the UC administration continues eroding our learning and working conditions: the UC tuition is higher than ever and student debt has skyrocketed. The state continues to under-fund public education.

At the same time, the quality of education offered has been declining: hundreds of lecturers and staff members have been laid off,  most classrooms are crowded and cuts in programs and classes are still continuing.

The enrollment of underrepresented groups (especially Black and Latin@s) is at an all time low. And now Janet Napolitano, who holds the record in deportations of undocumented immigrants, is the new UC President.

 

LET´S FIGHT TO DEFEND PUBLIC EDUCATION!

 

It is important that students and workers unite their fight for quality and free public education once again! This is how you can participate:

 

SAY NO TO NAPOLITANO – Oppose Janet Napolitano and demand her resignation! The deportation tzar who has split thousands of families has no place at the UC. Visit – facebook.com/notonapolitano

 

SUPPORT GRAD STUDENTS – Support the graduate student union UAW 2865 in their contract fight for smaller class sizes, fair wages, no discrimination and family-friendly policies! Visit – www.uaw2865.org

 

SUPPORT WORKERS – Support the service workers’ union AFSCME 3299 in their fight for fair wages and against two-tier pensions! It is unacceptable that service and patient care workers are paid poverty wages while the UC medical centers are making record profits. Visit – www.afscme3299.org/

 

CONTACT WORKERS´ VOICE!

Workers´ Voice is a socialist organization that fights for workers and youth rights. We believe our rights can only be fully achieved in a struggle against capitalist exploitation and oppression. If you want to be involved in the struggles going on in UC Berkeley and would like to know more about our ideas, please get in touch with us!

lavoz.litci@gmail.com