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Members of the Student Worker Front protest in front of the chancellor’s office in Murphy H

A group of nearly 50 UCLA students and supporters marched to Chancellor Albert Carnesale’s office Tuesday to protest service workers’ wages less than a week after the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees went on strike at University of California campuses.

“The workers’ strike was to empower themselves to ask for decent wages. Today is students taking action,” said Darryl Molina, a fourth-year Asian American studies student and a coordinator for the Student Worker Front.

Students and supporters marched from Bruin Plaza to Murphy Hall, where students were sent in to ask the chancellor to meet with them.

Carnesale is not currently in Los Angeles.

The UC and AFSCME have been involved in contract negotiations since July 2004, though union members have recently expressed frustration with the ongoing process.

Students and supporters took their protest into Murphy Hall and sat outside of the chancellor’s office, chanting and asking for justice.

Some students were able to talk to representatives for the chancellor, and it was arranged for student delegations to meet with him Thursday, said Janina Montero, the vice chancellor of student affairs.

“He will be happy to talk and hear what students have to say,” Montero said.

The chancellor is not present at negotiations between unions and the UC, but will meet with the students to discuss their concerns.

“It’s important to remember that negotiations are ongoing and that UCLA is hopeful of a resolution soon,” said Phil Hampton, a spokesman for UCLA.

“The students, as well as everybody else on campus, have a right to express their opinions about contract negotiations as well as all other issues. That’s what a university is about – free exchange of ideas,” Hampton said.

Members of the university police were present, but there was no additional staffing for the protest, said Nancy Greenstein, director of university police community services.

“No serious action had to be taken,” Greenstein said.

Seth Cohen, an organizer for AFSCME who attended the protest, said there was “some movement” in the negotiations with the UC after last week’s strike. Members of the Coalition of University Employees also attended.

Representatives from AFSCME and the UC met Monday and Tuesday, but no information has been released from the meetings yet, said Noel Van Nyhuis, a spokesman for the UC Office of the President.

Tommy Tseng, a general representative for the Undergraduate Students Association Council who participated in the march, voiced his support for workers on behalf of USAC.

“We passed a resolution in September unanimously supporting the strike. We are devoting resources to educating students,” Tseng said.

Many student bystanders witnessed parts of the protest, although not all chose to participate.

“I’m paying attention somewhat. It brings more light to the issue,” said Ruben Dominguez, a third-year history student who was watching the protest.

“There are always two sides to every story, but (the students) make a convincing argument. It’s important to hear the UC side,” Dominguez said.

Students and supporters who attended the protest plan to further their actions by talking to the chancellor Thursday, though they are prepared to take the issue to other officials.

“He’s not going to say, ‘No, leave it at that,’” said Victoria Preciado, a fifth-year English and Spanish literature student and a member of SWF.