The University and AFSCME met several times this week to continue negotiations for a successor agreement for UC patient care technical employees. The University attempted to reach compromise on a number of controversial key issues by proposing two separate package agreements that sought to address AFSCME’s main concerns.
UC’s “A” package includes:
· Wage increases between 3 and 15 percent in the first year;
· Three-year agreement;
· Movement to a step-structure in the second year of the agreement;
· Movement through the steps in Year 3 based on satisfactory or better performance;
· No changes to UC Retirement Plan or Defined Contribution Plan through September 30, 2008;
· Continued health care and retirement benefits at the same costs as provided to other UC employees.
The “B” package includes:
· Wage increases between 3 and 15 percent in the first year;
· Three year contract;
· Re-opener negotiations in second and third year of contract regarding wages, health benefits, and retirement;
· No changes to UC Retirement Plan or Defined Contribution Plan through September 30, 2008;
· Continued health care and retirement benefits at the same costs as provided to other UC employees.
AFSCME rejected both of the University's proposed packages and expressed an unwillingness to negotiate further compromises on these key economic issues. The union requested that we join them in declaring impasse. While UC does not agree that parties are at impasse, given UC's continued interest in reaching agreement, it will not oppose AFSCME's filing.
