S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
Lab Services Affected by Potential AFSCME Strike Next Week
Patience will be needed in large supply next week as services may be sharply curtailed. AFSCME, the union that represents service employees in negotiations with the University of California, has provided notice of its intent to strike starting Monday (July 14) and running through Friday (July 18).
If the nearly 90 Berkeley Lab employees who are members of AFSCME choose not to report to work, services will be disrupted for the buses and shuttles, the cafeteria, custodial and janitorial, and for receiving and transportation. Gate access to the Lab will also be impacted. Below is a list of contingency plans for impacted services (normal services should resume on Monday, July 21).
Go here to see University of California documents about the contract negotiations with AFSCME and the anticipated strike.
Gate Access
The main Blackberry gate will be open during normal hours. The Grizzly Gate on Centennial Drive will also be open from 5:45 a.m. -7:45 p.m. for inbound traffic. Outbound traffic will remain at the existing 24-hour schedule to accommodate employees, guests, vendors and suppliers. However, Strawberry Gate (off Centennial) will be designated as a “reserved” gate and will be available for the exclusive use of construction contractors and subcontractors, not employees, visitors, vendors or suppliers throughout next week.
Bus and Shuttle
Extremely limited bus service is anticipated during the strike. Two buses will travel from downtown Berkeley BART to Bldg. 65 via Hearst Ave. at anticipated 15-minute intervals during commute times. Only one on-site bus will be in operation at approximately 20-minute intervals. There will be no Rockridge or Potter Street buses operating. Those who commute via the Rockridge BART station should continue riding BART to the downtown Berkeley station and board the Lab bus there. Go here for schedules, routes and maps.
Cafeteria
There will be no change in the cafeteria’s hours of operation (6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.). The Peet’s Coffee and Tea kiosk will be closed for the duration of the strike, however drip coffee will be available in the cafeteria. As for menu items, a continental breakfast, with pastries and bagels, will be served, as well as other grab-an-go items. One hot dish will be served for lunch, as well as hot soup, pre-made sandwiches, salads, and sushi.
Custodial
Custodial and janitorial service is expected to be minimal. Most rest rooms will be cleaned, but offices may not receive waste pick-up services during the week.
Receiving and Transportation
Shipments to the Laboratory may be interrupted or delayed during the strike. Although the Receiving and Transportation Department will be open, there will be extremely limited services for processing and delivering material. Next Day Air Perishable shipments that are received at Bldg. 69 will be processed and every effort will be made to deliver this sensitive material. All non-essential deliveries will be postponed until after the strike. Employees can pick up expected material at Bldg. 69 between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., but they should call ahead (x4935) to ensure the material has been received and processed.