UC workers protest, many say they experience food insecurity

BERKELEY, Calif. (KTVU) - UC workers and their supporters rallied on the Berkeley campus today, claiming that the university pays them so little, many have to skip meals to make ends meet.

"I skip dinner. I drink water, that's it. Doesn't happen every night, but a couple of times," said Gloria Rios, an administrative assistant for the past 20 years.
 
Rios says she makes about $25 an hour and that most of it goes to an ever-rising rent.

"I can't survive on that. I deserve better," she said.
 
Rios is one of thousands of full-time employees across UC's 10 campuses who say they often don't have enough money to feed themselves.

A just-released study by Occidental College in Southern California found seven out of 10 clerical workers  and administrative assistants struggle to put food on the table. It also says about half go hungry at times.

"There are times when sometimes I sacrifice my asthma and migraine medication so I can have food for the next few days," said Joseph Meyer.
Meyer wore a milk costume to indicate what he sometimes gets by on. Meyer works in UC Berkeley's records department. He says he might need to use the food bank.

"I probably would feel embarrassed. It is probably going to happen later this year," he said.

The study was commissioned by the Teamsters Union, which represents the employees. The teamsters and UC are locked in contract negations.
          
"The university should be a leader on this issue. A great public institution should be creating good jobs on our community and not be part of the problem, but part of the solution," said Jason Rabinowitz, who heads the teamsters local 2010.

A recent study by UC showed one in five students sometimes goes hungry. This latest study indicates it is twice as bad for workers.

UC issued a statement saying: "UC wages for the clerical and administrative group that are the subject of the teamsters report are competitive, falling at or above the range that other employers pay across the state."

"I shouldn't have to work full time at this institution and struggle to make ends meet," said Meyer.