Layoffs cut UC's least-paid

Layoffs cut UC's least-paid
Families worry about how to survive after unexpected job losses

Tanya Schevitz, Chronicle Staff Writer Tuesday, October 7, 2003

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Most of the focus in the unfolding tale of how the University of California is dealing with drastic state budget cuts has been on the impact on students and faculty.

But the lives of many others on UC's campuses are being affected, perhaps even more dramatically, as the university lays off nonacademic staff. Employees ranging from clerks to custodians -- who are among the lowest paid at the university and already struggling to make ends meet -- have been among those laid off.

"I have a family," said Derrick Pitts, a custodian making $10.72 an hour. "Rent has to be paid. Food has to be put on the table. My daughter needs diapers."

More than 200 jobs at UC Berkeley, including Pitts', are being lost through layoffs and attrition. Laid-off workers are given between one and six months of notice, depending on the department. They are also given the option of severance pay or priority in rehiring when the university has jobs again.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/10/07/BA290537.DTL

Nobody suggests that maybe everyone should take a salary hit to keep people employed. It's always chop the least-powerful.