Behavioral health clinicians at UC Santa Cruz take a stand for respect with marches on the boss, winning a 4 percent equity increase
UPTE behavioral health clinicians at UC Santa Cruz recently showcased their dedication to their profession by taking their grievances directly to the campus's administration. In their march on John Bollard, Associate Vice Chancellor and Student Health & Wellness Chief Well-being Officer, these committed professionals demanded the recognition and respect their vital work deserves.
Amelia Cutten, a Behavioral Health Counselor 3 working at UC Santa Cruz for four-and-a-half years and an UPTE Unit Representative, highlighted the critical nature of their roles: "Every day, we're on the front lines, offering support and guidance to students navigating the complexities of mental health challenges. Our work is not just about counseling; it's about creating a safe, supportive environment that fosters growth and healing."
The march and the clinicians' call for acknowledgment come when the importance of mental health support has never been more apparent, as demand for their services has skyrocketed. Yet, despite their undeniable contribution to the well-being of the student body, these professionals feel overlooked by the university's administration.
"It's disheartening," Amelia remarked, "to see the lack of recognition for the work we do. It's not just about wages; it's about understanding the value of our contribution to the university community and the lives we touch every day."
"We gathered a group and all the necessary signatures to present our case at the Vice Chancellor's Office. We managed to confront Associate Vice Chancellor Bollard directly. That led to a follow-up meeting with Employee Labor Relations, where we advocated for a ten percent increase for all employees who hadn't received it and adjustments to the pay scales for counseling therapists and psychologists due to maxing out their salary scales," Amelia recalled. "At the follow-up meeting, they agreed to a four percent increase for behavioral health clinicians and worked on adjusting the scales for counseling therapists and psychologists.
While the four percent increase is a welcome step in the right direction, workers also see it as a downpayment on the ten percent they initially demanded. With our 2024 University of California contract negotiations on the horizon and our contract platform recently unveiled, these workers are fired up to fight for full recognition of their contributions to UC.
A second march on the boss, now directed toward Akirah Bradley-Armstrong, the Vice Chancellor for the Division of Student Affairs and Success at UC Santa Cruz, transpired. UPTE behavioral health clinicians were met with a responsive gesture post-march—an email reply, marking a significant acknowledgment of their voices and concerns. UPTE workers are resolute in not letting up until their demands are met, ensuring that the counseling staff benefit fully and equity from the recent pay increases. Doing so is vital for UC Santa Cruz's ability to recruit and retain the commitment and experienced staff that students deserve.
"Our hope is that these actions will bring to light the importance of what we do at Counseling and Psychological Services and lead to a meaningful engagement with the administration," Amelia continued. In demanding recognition, behavioral health clinicians highlight an often-overlooked truth: that the health of any academic institution lies not just in its achievements and accolades but in the strength and support of its student community. "We are here not just for ourselves but for the betterment of the entire university community."
UC will not initiate positive changes on its own. Amelia stresses the importance of not being complacent with unsatisfactory conditions and the effectiveness of collective action. "It boils down to whether you're content with the status quo," Amelia highlighted. "My experience with UC has shown that they prefer to maintain things as they are, without any significant changes that benefit us unless there's pressure from us. It doesn't have to be a major effort, but some form of push from the workers is necessary.