May 10, 2018 by The California Aggie

@THECALIFORNIAAGGIE

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

@CALIFORNIAAGGIE

the California Aggie THEAGGIE.ORG

THREE-DAY STRIKE HELD UC-WIDE AFSCME workers joined in solidarity by other unions, students, faculty

TAYLO R LA POIN T / AGGIE

Chancellor announces UCDPD will focus on deescalation, not everyone satisfied Chancellor, police chief, students weigh in on deescalation policies of campus police IAN JONES / AGGIE FILE

BY SABRI N A HA BCH I campus@theaggie.org

Following the March for Our Lives movement, nationwide marches that took place after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, Chancellor Gary May released a statement on gun violence. He described feeling disturbed “by the violence that continues to plague our society.” May said he is “encouraged that UC Davis Police Chief Joe Farrow has made de-escalation training a priority for his campus officers.” UC Davis Chief of Police Joe Farrow gave his definition of de-escalation. “De-escalation is part of the way policing looks at officer-citizen contacts and de-escalation really started on the way we dealt with people with mental illness,” Farrow said. “We look at what is truly important, what we are trying to do and how we can take the police officer and citizen contact and resolve it in a way that is as close to mutually beneficial as possible. How do we have the citizen walking away and say, ‘That is fair, the officer has done their job?’ De-escalation is all about how officers train in a way where they calm rather than heighten situations.” May responded to questions regarding the importance of de-escalation as a focus of UC Davis Police Department via email.

BY TAYLO R LAPO INT G E O RG E LIAO campus@theaggie.org

VOLUME 136, ISSUE 26 | THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018

AND

Three days of striking began on the morning of May 7 as UC Davis service workers and union representatives set up tents on Hutchison Field. Employees represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Chapter 3299, the UC’s largest employee union, were on strike from May 7-9 at UC campuses and some hospitals. AFSCME workers were joined in solidarity by members of the University Professional and Technical Employees union and the California Nurses Association as well as groups of students and other faculty and staff members. After a year of bargaining negotiations between AFSCME and the UC, an AFSCME press release states the “UC still has yet to offer real wage increases, benefit protections, job security, safe staffing and ending discrimination in the workplace.” The union also called for the UC to acknowledge and fix racial and gender disparity in pay, especially among Latinas and black women. Workers say they are also concerned about the outsourcing of jobs to contracted agencies, which takes away work from previously trained UC employees and contributes to high turnover. “A lot of new people coming in can lead to accidents,” said Shamus Sullivan, who works as a cook at the Cuarto Dining Commons and took part in Monday’s

“UC Davis police officers are in contact with members of the public every day,” May said. “Fortunately, ‘use of force’ incidents are rare for campus police, but officers have to be prepared for incidents that can be stressful, unpredictable, fast-moving or pose a risk to the subject, officer or members of the public. It’s important that every such contact has the best outcome possible and that’s why this philosophy of de-escalation is important in modern policing.” The chancellor also mentioned steps he is taking in order to make de-escalation a reality. “All UC Davis police officers complete eight hours of training in responding to people with mental health issues,” May said. “The department has committed to have all officers go through Crisis Intervention Training, the national standard for working with people in crisis, far exceeding required state standards. Additionally, the department is training officers in cultural diversity and hate crimes, implicit bias and in the human factors that affect how people react under stress. I’m committed to supporting the Chief and the department in providing the best training in these areas.” Amara Miller, a graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. in sociology at UC Davis and a member of the UC Student-Workers Union (UAW Local 2865), said that the chancellor’s message is not assurance enough for her. “I think it’s still a little vague: de-escalation training is wonderful and great but if it’s not coupled with policies that actually mean de-escalation is the first thing that cops are supposed to do, it’s not a guarantee that they’ll actually use the de-escalation training that they are given,” Miller said. “Not to mention the fact that there are no clear guidelines in any of these conversations about when cops have to have de-escalation trainings [...] once they’re hired. It’s not a guarantee that it’s going to get to people that need it.” B.B. Buchanan, a sixth-year Ph.D. candidate in sociology and another UAW 2865 member, was also not completely assured by the chancellor’s message. “It’s a first step,” Buchanan said. “The problem isn’t just that there is not the right training, but rather research shows that when you have a weapon on your person, you’re more likely to use it. For example, British cops don’t go around with handguns, which means they are forced to rely on de-escalation training. Cops in the United States have de-escalation training that they don’t often utilize because their first response is lethal force. The problem isn’t with the training, it’s with the organization as a CHANCELLOR on 11

CHECK OUT OUR

strike. “There’s not enough time to properly train people.” A sea of strikers, students and UC Davis community members carrying signs and dressed in green shirts saying “We Run UC” marched through campus on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. On the first day, around 100 students and 250 workers marched on the Quad, calling for students to join them and recognize the injustices faced by the workers. A rally was held among the tents set up along Hutchison Field that featured speakers from UPTE and the group United Students Against Sweatshops. On Tuesday, strikers marched to the university’s Human Resources Department, the medical district, facilities management and Mrak Hall. A rally featured representatives from Yolo County Progressives, the graduate student workers union, and the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns. The strikers then returned to the Quad. “We will march on management wherever they are,” said one of the organizers. Across campus, teachers, teaching assistants and technical workers joined the strikers in solidarity. Simon Sadler, a professor of design, was one of many faculty members who came out to show solidarity with the strikers. “I do think that it is actually within everybody’s interest to support one another to make UC work,” Sadler said. “I can’t really see how I would be able to separate one type of colleague at UC for another type.” Participants commented on the size of the turnout.

Proposed Unitrans fare hike is first in 14 years Unitrans currently running $450,000 deficit, projected $750,000 next fiscal year if no changes made

JORDAN CHOW / AGGIE

BY PRIYA NKA SHR EEDAR campus@theaggie.org

On March 29, 2018, the ASUCD Unitrans bus system proposed its first increase in fare rates in 14 years in addition to various service adjustments to promote a more efficient bussing system. In a press release sent to The California Aggie, the timeline of the fare increase was described as follows: “Davis’ two local public transit systems, Unitrans and Davis Community Transit, are proposing to raise fares July 1 — the first increases in 14 years for Unitrans and nine years for DCT.” Unitrans general manager Jeff Flynn explained the budgetary necessity behind the adjustment and cancellation of bus lines. “Unitrans is currently operating in an annual budget deficit,” Flynn said. “Operating costs are rising significantly due to the annual $1 increase in the California minimum wage. Unitrans currently employs a mostly part-time UCD undergraduate workforce with wages at or near minimum wage. With every annual dollar increase, our costs increase.” Flynn projects major deficits if no changes are made. “Unitrans is currently running a $450,000 deficit for fiscal year 2018 and is projected to have a

“This is incredible,” said Joaquin Chavez, the statewide vice president of UPTE-CWA 9119, one of the unions striking in solidarity with AFSCME. “It’s amazing to see the workers come out and fight for dignity on the job and fight for each other and stand together for a common cause. We are out here supporting AFSCME in their contract fight and we really feel solidarity with AFSCME service workers because we experience the same kind of conditions that they do.” During downtime between marches, strikers said they felt confident and relaxed as they joined as a community and enjoyed catered meals, provided by the union’s strike fund that comes from a small portion of the union dues. Strikers are optimistic that they will receive a good solution. “I believe that strikes are really where you see people at their best,” said Chris Flint, the communications specialist for the Service Employees International Union. “Strikes are harder than working.” Flint also noted that while striking, workers are not being paid. “It’s a big sacrifice,” said AFSCME organizer Scott Hill. On Monday morning, a car struck three strikers in UCLA as a city marshall directed them across the street. The individuals were treated for “minor injuries,” according to the Daily Bruin. California Senator Kamala Harris has cancelled her commencement speech at UC Berkeley due to the strike after pressure from AFSCME.

$750,000 deficit next year if no action is taken,” Flynn said. “Unitrans has approximately $1.5 million in reserves; however, this reserve will not last long with costs increasing. The annual projected deficit is expected to increase to $1.6 million per year within four years if no changes are made. The service and fare changes are necessary to reduce our deficit and ensure we are more sustainable next year. Without significant new revenues though, major Unitrans service reductions will be necessary within the next two to four years.” An article published by UC Davis University News briefly described the two transit systems impacted by the budgetary and service changes occurring. “Unitrans, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, carries more than 4 million passengers annually around the campus and city — operating 49 buses (including vintage double-deckers from London) on 18 routes,” the article stated. “The Associated Students of the University of California, Davis, runs Unitrans in partnership with the city.” The article also stated that DCT, a “city-run service for qualifying disabled residents, is pursuing its own fare increase.” The proposed fare changes, according to the press release, will increase costs for single rides, 10ride tickets, monthly passes, quarterly passes and annual passes. “Under the Unitrans proposal, the fare for a single ride would go up 25 cents to $1.25,” the release stated. “Unitrans’ other fare proposals: 10-ride ticket — $7.50, (from $6), Monthly pass— $30 (from $25), Quarterly pass — $77 (from $64), Annual pass — Two-stage increase, first to $198 (from $180) on July 1, 2018 and to $216 in July 2019.” Flynn attributed the transit system’s steady prices to the sound fiscal planning done by Unitrans. Flynn went on to describe the transit system’s reasoning behind the increase in fare and how it compares to other local public transportation. “Unfortunately, with rising labor costs, Unitrans is looking at both cost reductions and revenue increases,” Flynn said via email interview. “Unitrans will still have lower fare and pass prices than any transit agency serving Davis. Yolobus currently charges $2.25 per ride, the Solano Express charges $2.75 per ride, and the UCD-UCDMC Shuttle charges $1.50 per ride.” Undergraduate students will not be impacted by the fare changes due to the quarterly fees paid by students, which bypass the regular bus pass or cash fee. “It should be noted that while the cash fare and

GOOGLE REVIEWS!

“Love the Co-op, especially the Olive Bar and fun cheese choices, plus all of the unique products, like dried fruit in bulk.” Susan R.

UNITRANS on 11

DAVIS FOOD CO-OP • 620 G ST OPEN DAILY 7AM—10PM

SERVING THE UC DAVIS CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY SINCE 1915