Vacation not an option
Though all of us appreciate Chancellor Albert Carnesale’s
efforts to raise staff morale, the July 29 staff picnic cannot
offset that UCLA clerical workers and other campus workers are
grossly underpaid.
I was especially concerned about the chancellor’s remark
that we workers should all take a vacation and rest up for the fall
quarter. Most of us cannot afford to take a vacation. I’ve
worked on campus for over five years and have only been able to
take one real vacation ““ and then only because I had a second
income at the time. Many workers need second incomes or have
families to support.
Where do our wages go? Check the Community Housing
Office’s Web site (www.cho.ucla.edu/housing/
chopubf.htm) for rental rates on the West Side. There it shows
the average rate for a one-bedroom apartment in Westwood is over
$1,300 per month. That’s over half of our monthly paychecks.
But few of us can afford to live in Westwood.
It might be said commuting is the solution. Well, yes, I live
within 5 miles of campus but still need to allot an hour a day and
sometimes more to commute to and from work. That’s on top of
the 9 hours a day I normally spend on campus, thus making a 10-hour
workday. Most of us university workers travel from even farther
away. So, we juggle cheaper housing costs against longer commutes
and higher transportation costs.
We employees take days off to clean the house or run errands
that we can’t do on workdays. We visit family and friends.
But vacations? I think the belief that we can take one is
indicative of how out of touch those who govern the University of
California system are with the reality of those who work here.
If the chancellor really wants to raise staff morale, he should
send a letter to UC President Robert Dynes and the Board of Regents
to support the wage demands of our unions and ask the other UC
chancellors to do the same.
Judith L. Sweeney UCLA administrative
assistant
Heinz’s outburst outlandish, hurts husband’s
chances
Teresa Heinz Kerry’s remark to the reporter was completely
unjustified and deserved the attention it received in the media.
Your article failed to note that Heinz Kerry told the reporter to
“shove it” immediately after, ironically, giving a
speech that called for a more civil tone in politics.
According to multiple sources, Heinz Kerry pushed through the
Secret Service to approach the reporter. You can call this action
bold; but the subsequent actions can in no way be justified.
Avoiding a question by lying (she said the word
“un-American” on camera then denied saying it)
and telling someone to “shove it” might be
appropriate for a professional wrester, but it does not cut it
for a potential first lady.
By voluntarily deciding to have the benefit of exposing herself
to the public, Heinz Kerry should respond to legitimate questions
posed by the media.
After all, any highly ranked public official must pay careful
attention to what she says because the media inevitably will
scrutinize every word that comes out of her mouth. Insults and
deceit never should be confused for boldness.
Danny Yadidsion Fourth-year, business
economics
Ilana, you go girl ““ and Teresa Heinz Kerry, too. Heinz
Kerry is an effective campaign ad for President Bush. Sen.
John Kerry’s advisers are doing their best to hide her, but
it’s not enough. They can’t muzzle her, as she pays her
own way.
A couple years ago she was married to a Republican lawmaker
and called the “Democratic machine” putrid. But,
shazam! Now she’s a Democrat, and her views are progressive
or liberating or something only the elite
liberals accept. Let’s see and hear more from
her.
Scott Schettler Las Vegas, Nev.