Press Release2

For Immediate Release October 12, 2010

Governor Supports Bloated Salaries for Top UC Bureaucrats Legislatures bill to curb lavish salaries for UC executives vetoed SACRAMENTO – In spite of wide support from the Legislature, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) vetoed legislation that would have ended executive pay raises during bad budget years at the University of California. “The UC continues to run itself like AIG, its complete disregard for its students and workers is now shared by the Governor,” said Lakesha Harrison, President of AFSCME Local 3299. “Workers are being forced to accept furloughs, threatened by mass layoffs while the University is flush in cash. The Governor’s veto affirms a corporate mentality that slashes workers, raises student fees, and further enriches the wealthy. All students, parents and workers should be outraged at the waste and abuse by this Governor and his corporate pals at the University of California. His failure to lead ensures that the UC will operate like AIG, not a public trust.” In 2009 alone, the UC Board of Regents has already approved approximately $9 million in executive compensation increases. At the Regents meeting in July, several executives were appointed at salaries from 11 percent to 59 percent higher than their predecessors. The Regents also voted to give “administrative stipends” ranging from $24,000 to $58,625 to several employees, without any extra duties, and added several new highly paid executive positions. All told, the Regents approved nearly $2 million in monetary compensation increases at just one meeting. That is in addition to other forms of compensation including generous pension plans, travel allowances, housing, and access to lowinterest loans. UC President Mark Yudof also receives nearly a $1 million in salaries and perks. ###