Movement Building

Put the People First!

UCW members at Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville and other locations tell the UT Regents and lawmakers to "Put the People First."

Members of United Campus Workers-CWA Local 3865 are mobilizing for a budget that puts the people first. The coalition of unions and worker organizations, community, faith, and student groups came together earlier this year to focus attention on Tennessee Republican Gov. Haslam's devastating budget cuts and to call for living wage jobs, fully funded public education, and workers' rights to organize and bargain.

At campuses across the University of Tennessee system, CWAers are showing their support as budget discussions affecting university workers and programs get underway.

Local 3865 writes, "Without campus workers, our campus wouldn't work – but that reality isn't reflected in the budget. Despite the fact that thousands of higher education employees in Tennessee make less than a living wage, and many more make right around it, we aren't a priority for state spending. Tuition is going up on our students; buildings are getting built all around our campus; but our wages – well, they're right where they've been for a while. That's why we're taking action. We're calling for a budget that puts the people first. We need a living wage, because a full-time job should keep you of poverty, not in it! Budget deliberations are happening right now at the campus level, and within the month are going to start at the state level. We need to speak out for ourselves and one another to make sure we're a priority!"