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California Today: For Some U.C. Workers, Skipping Meals to Make Ends Meet California Today: For Some U.C. Workers, Skipping Meals to Make Ends Meet
(about 3 hours later)
Good morning.Good morning.
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If you work for the University of California, don’t count on having enough to eat.If you work for the University of California, don’t count on having enough to eat.
That’s according to a study released this week that found that 45 percent of the university system’s full-time administrative workers sometimes go hungry.That’s according to a study released this week that found that 45 percent of the university system’s full-time administrative workers sometimes go hungry.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said Peter Dreier, an author and politics professor at Occidental College.“It’s heartbreaking,” said Peter Dreier, an author and politics professor at Occidental College.
The survey, which drew responses from nearly 2,900 workers across a system that includes 10 campuses, was done in coordination with the Teamsters union that represents the clerical workers.The survey, which drew responses from nearly 2,900 workers across a system that includes 10 campuses, was done in coordination with the Teamsters union that represents the clerical workers.
There are nearly 14,000 of the workers — who hold jobs such as administrative assistants, library assistants and collections representatives — in the U.C. system.There are nearly 14,000 of the workers — who hold jobs such as administrative assistants, library assistants and collections representatives — in the U.C. system.
Dianne Klein, a university spokeswoman, said in a statement that she had not examined the specifics of the report. But she and other officials noted the timing of its release as the university system is holding contract negotiations with the union.Dianne Klein, a university spokeswoman, said in a statement that she had not examined the specifics of the report. But she and other officials noted the timing of its release as the university system is holding contract negotiations with the union.
“I’m not surprised to see these kinds of things sort of planted, if you will, to affect the collective bargaining process,” said George Kieffer, a university regent.“I’m not surprised to see these kinds of things sort of planted, if you will, to affect the collective bargaining process,” said George Kieffer, a university regent.
Still, university officials have acknowledged that reports of so-called food insecurity among parts of the campus population were troubling. Still, university officials have acknowledged that reports of hunger among parts of the campus population were troubling.
In July, after conducting its own survey, the system discovered that roughly one in five students sometimes went hungry because of financial difficulties. In response, it dedicated $3.3 million to fight campus malnutrition.In July, after conducting its own survey, the system discovered that roughly one in five students sometimes went hungry because of financial difficulties. In response, it dedicated $3.3 million to fight campus malnutrition.
Harvard has faced problems of its own, with cafeteria workers picketing over what they say are unfair wages.Harvard has faced problems of its own, with cafeteria workers picketing over what they say are unfair wages.
Dr. Dreier strongly defended the U.C. study, calling the union’s motives irrelevant to his team’s findings.Dr. Dreier strongly defended the U.C. study, calling the union’s motives irrelevant to his team’s findings.
The Times reviewed a sample of the written accounts from the workers, which were kept anonymous. Even with wages that averaged a little under $23 an hour, well above the state minimum of $10, many said they skipped meals or visited food banks. One described eating mayonnaise packets. Many cited the soaring cost of housing around the campuses, in locations like Irvine, Santa Barbara and San Francisco.The Times reviewed a sample of the written accounts from the workers, which were kept anonymous. Even with wages that averaged a little under $23 an hour, well above the state minimum of $10, many said they skipped meals or visited food banks. One described eating mayonnaise packets. Many cited the soaring cost of housing around the campuses, in locations like Irvine, Santa Barbara and San Francisco.
Joseph Meyer, 31, an administrative assistant at U.C. Berkeley, said in a follow-up phone interview that after squaring away his $1,150 in rent, he often chooses between eating meals and paying for his asthma medication. “It’s just a struggle,” he said.Joseph Meyer, 31, an administrative assistant at U.C. Berkeley, said in a follow-up phone interview that after squaring away his $1,150 in rent, he often chooses between eating meals and paying for his asthma medication. “It’s just a struggle,” he said.
Both the university and union officials acknowledged that California’s housing crisis is making life hard for workers across the public and private sectors.Both the university and union officials acknowledged that California’s housing crisis is making life hard for workers across the public and private sectors.
But that’s no excuse, said Jason Rabinowitz, the secretary-treasurer of the clerical workers union.But that’s no excuse, said Jason Rabinowitz, the secretary-treasurer of the clerical workers union.
“We say that a great public institution should be leading on this question,” he said. “It should part of the solution and not part of the problem.”“We say that a great public institution should be leading on this question,” he said. “It should part of the solution and not part of the problem.”
See reporting in The Times on the Nov. 8 ballot initiatives: Proposition 51 (school bond) | Proposition 53 (megaprojects) | Proposition 54 (legislative transparency) | Proposition 56 (cigarette tax) | Proposition 57 (prison sentencing) | Proposition 58 (bilingual education) | Proposition 60 (condoms in adult film) | Propositions 62 and 66 (death penalty) | Propositions 65 and 67 (plastic bag ban).See reporting in The Times on the Nov. 8 ballot initiatives: Proposition 51 (school bond) | Proposition 53 (megaprojects) | Proposition 54 (legislative transparency) | Proposition 56 (cigarette tax) | Proposition 57 (prison sentencing) | Proposition 58 (bilingual education) | Proposition 60 (condoms in adult film) | Propositions 62 and 66 (death penalty) | Propositions 65 and 67 (plastic bag ban).
And dig into analyses of all 17 statewide measures by the Legislative Analyst’s Office, CALmatters, KQED and Ballotpedia.And dig into analyses of all 17 statewide measures by the Legislative Analyst’s Office, CALmatters, KQED and Ballotpedia.
• Thousands gathered to mourn two Palm Springs police officers who were killed in what officials called an ambush by a gang member. [The Press Enterprise]• Thousands gathered to mourn two Palm Springs police officers who were killed in what officials called an ambush by a gang member. [The Press Enterprise]
• San Francisco police were searching for at least one gunman after four students were shot outside a high school campus. [SFGate.com]• San Francisco police were searching for at least one gunman after four students were shot outside a high school campus. [SFGate.com]
• Voters in San Diego are facing two complex ballot measures on a downtown N.F.L. stadium. [San Diego Union-Tribune]• Voters in San Diego are facing two complex ballot measures on a downtown N.F.L. stadium. [San Diego Union-Tribune]
• The Sacramento region could generate more than $4 billion in business if it becomes a hub for legalized marijuana, a study found. [Reuters]• The Sacramento region could generate more than $4 billion in business if it becomes a hub for legalized marijuana, a study found. [Reuters]
• Long before the Dodgers bolted from Brooklyn, the Cubs planted their flag in Los Angeles. [The New York Times]• Long before the Dodgers bolted from Brooklyn, the Cubs planted their flag in Los Angeles. [The New York Times]
• At Patagonia, 100 percent of female workers who have had children in recent years have returned to the Ventura-based company. [Quartz]• At Patagonia, 100 percent of female workers who have had children in recent years have returned to the Ventura-based company. [Quartz]
• Northern California’s first major “wildlife corridors” are being planned to provide cougars and other animals safe passage across a dangerous highway. [The Mercury News]• Northern California’s first major “wildlife corridors” are being planned to provide cougars and other animals safe passage across a dangerous highway. [The Mercury News]
• There is snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and at least one ski resort is planning to open on Halloween. [Los Angeles Times]• There is snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and at least one ski resort is planning to open on Halloween. [Los Angeles Times]
• Google Pixel review: Based on features alone, the Pixel is decent compared with Apple’s iPhone 7 and Samsung Mobile’s Galaxy S7. [The New York Times]• Google Pixel review: Based on features alone, the Pixel is decent compared with Apple’s iPhone 7 and Samsung Mobile’s Galaxy S7. [The New York Times]
• Few hotels operate on the Point Reyes Peninsula, but now there is one more: the spare and sophisticated Olema. [The New York Times]• Few hotels operate on the Point Reyes Peninsula, but now there is one more: the spare and sophisticated Olema. [The New York Times]
• A rare white hummingbird has been stealing the show at the University of California, Santa Cruz Arboretum. [Audubon Magazine]• A rare white hummingbird has been stealing the show at the University of California, Santa Cruz Arboretum. [Audubon Magazine]
In 1978, California voters passed Proposition 13, a ballot box revolt that lowered property taxes for millions of the state’s homeowners.In 1978, California voters passed Proposition 13, a ballot box revolt that lowered property taxes for millions of the state’s homeowners.
Decades later, what have been its consequences?Decades later, what have been its consequences?
Retro Report, a series of short documentaries, explored the question as an election season with its own share of populist fervor enters the homestretch. (Watch the video, about 12 minutes long.)Retro Report, a series of short documentaries, explored the question as an election season with its own share of populist fervor enters the homestretch. (Watch the video, about 12 minutes long.)
California Today goes live at 6 a.m. Pacific time weekdays. Tell us what you want to see: CAtoday@nytimes.com.California Today goes live at 6 a.m. Pacific time weekdays. Tell us what you want to see: CAtoday@nytimes.com.
The California Today columnist, Mike McPhate, is a third-generation Californian — born outside Sacramento and raised in San Juan Capistrano. He lives in Davis. Follow him on Twitter.The California Today columnist, Mike McPhate, is a third-generation Californian — born outside Sacramento and raised in San Juan Capistrano. He lives in Davis. Follow him on Twitter.
California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and attended U.C. Berkeley.California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and attended U.C. Berkeley.