UC Graduation Speakers Boycott
Travis Hansen, UC Merced Groundskeeper
“I started working at UC Merced because of the good benefits. Now, with the majority of my check going towards my house payments and meals, after the furloughs, health care increases and pension increases I will not be able to survive."
Diego Rivera, UC Irvine Groundskeeper
“I was laid off in October of last year, and so I am now back living in poverty. I support my mother and my little brother, but during the past few months, we have been barely able to pay our rent and bills. Without my support, my family is struggling to survive.”
Pedro Ponce, UCLA Sr. Custodian
“I do not make enough to keep the fridge stocked for my kids, and I’m losing sleep over it. I had to get a second job because of the cuts, and so now I don’t even have time to spend with them.”
Guillermina Rojas, UC Santa Barbara Sr. Custodian
“We are facing cuts in our hours and that means serious financial hardship for me and my family -- many co-workers are taking on second jobs just to make ends meet. Now, UC is announcing a plan to cut our benefits, I’m worried that we may not have a future at UCSB.”
Jose Lopez, UCSD Custodian
“My wife and I have worked at UCSD for over 20 years, and our daughter attends UC. We’re proud to be a UC family, but we’re disappointed that UC executives are hurting working families like us. We’re facing a 10% income reduction, so we might be forced to declare bankruptcy.”
Ruben Garcia, UC Berkeley Sr. Food Service Worker
“My salary is less than $2000 a month, so I already have to put it almost entirely toward my mortgage. Now with these cuts, I will have to choose whether to feed my family or pay my mortgage.”
Rebecca Mulay, UC Riverside Custodian
“The pay cut has forced me to use up all my savings, my life insurance money, and now I have nothing left. I can barely afford to pay my rent, and I’m having trouble buying my food and medicines. The cuts may seem small, but they are causing a big negative impact for my family.”
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