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After seven months of unfruitful contract negotiations between the University of California and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the union has asked for help.

AFSCME, which represents 7,300 UC service workers, “declared impasse and are requesting a state mediator to help them reach a fair contract,” according to an AFSCME press release.

The mediator met with both sides Monday in Oakland, and both must approve for the third party to be allowed at the bargaining table.

In state negotiations, if both sides have been unable to agree for an extended period of time, either party is allowed to call upon the California Public Employment Relations Board to appoint a mediator.

AFSCME and the UC have met 24 times about the most recent contract, and no progress has been made.

“What it comes down to is there are various issues we are not agreeing whatsoever on, some various basic issues like money, parking, training, seniority,” said Seth Cohen, an AFSCME organizer.

The UC could not be reached for comment for this story, but they have previously said that they are eager to settle contract disputes as soon as possible.

The UC cited budget cuts in November as the reason they are not able to grant AFSCME their requests.

AFSCME workers have been struggling during this contract renewal period as they continue to receive salaries specified in their old contracts.

“I don’t feel discouraged. I feel disappointed because I think that we work very hard and what we are asking for is very fair,” said Mirna Martinez, an Associated Students of UCLA food service worker for five years, through a translator.

“The cost of living is very high right now, and the salary that we earn is not sufficient to support our families,” she said.

The AFSCME workers believe that they are not being treated fairly, as they are integral to the university’s operation of medical hospitals, residence halls and dining areas.

“In our opinion, the university is extremely short-sighted, and they are not investing in their staff whatsoever,” Cohen said. “They are not guaranteeing money for the next three years. Even with the governor’s compact, they refused to put any real money on the table.”

The governor’s budget compact was introduced between the UC and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger earlier this month, and would allow for regular pay raises for UC workers if it is passed by the Legislature.

Through the contract negotiations, AFSCME is looking to get higher pay for its workers, and they hope the state mediator will ensure a resolution happens soon.

Martinez said the only increases workers have seen lately is in their workload.

“We work really hard, and the raise we have gotten is a raise in the amount of work we do,” she said.