Lower-paid workers say they fear layoffs could be around the corner

Betrayal, lies and demoralization were among the words UA workers used to describe their feelings about Gov. Jane Dee Hull's proposal to nix the 5 percent raise to all state workers that the Legislature promised less than two months earlier.

Of 20 staff members interviewed about Hull's announcement that she wanted to eliminate the raises, all of them agreed that they felt betrayed, discouraged and worried about their financial future and the general welfare of the university itself.

Many staff members asked to have their names withheld, fearing the possibility that a slew of layoffs is just around the corner.

Norma Ayon, a media arts academic adviser, said the raise would not have meant more pocket money but a chance to catch up from the recent increase in the cost of insurance for university workers.

"With everything getting so expensive, you're just trying to keep your head above water," she said.

Ayon and another worker who asked to have her name withheld, said other prices, including university parking and the general cost of living in the state, have continued to increase while their paychecks have remained the same.

The increased costs were the factors that motivated Arizona lawmakers to pass the pay raises last spring and spare them from a round of budget cuts made last year.

Under the original plan, all state employees would have received pay raises both this April and next.

For University of Arizona workers making less than $30,000, the raise would be $1,500 - more than 5 percent of their annual salaries.

That plan is now in jeopardy due to a rising state budget deficit, which Hull now expects to be at least $250 million, even after lawmakers cut $675 million late last year.

But the growing deficit doesn't make the prospect of losing the raises any easier to swallow for many UA workers.

"It's discouraging to the people above us that are making less, and that has a domino effect," said Donna Watson, on administrative assistant in the history department. "We were promised something that we're now not going to get."

A group of Parking and Transportation Services workers also said they felt demoralized - especially considering they must pay to be certified to drive the CatTran shuttle busses.

"We have to haul this precious cargo of human beings, and we're probably the lowest paid public transportation workers in the area," said Don Ruebl, head CatTran shuttle driver. "We're glad to have the job, but when the government does something like this, it's demoralizing."

Ruebl said PTS has already lost one driver who went to work for Tucson's Sun Tran bus system, which he said pays $3 more per hour for bus drivers than the university.

One facilities management custodian, who asked to remain anonymous, also said Hull's announcement was demoralizing.

"We think it's uncomfortable to work here if you're only getting paid just enough for the job," the custodial worker said. "People work here for so long and nobody ever gets a raise."

UA President Peter Likins said he understands the feeling of the staff who have twice been promised a raise, and he is hopeful that the state Legislature will decide to keep the budget that includes the raises.

"I'm counting on the Senate to refrain from appealing the present budget, Likins said. "I don't know what the House will do, but the Senate majority has been more supportive of the salary package."