Bargaining Update Archive

January 2008 — January, Issue 15

FACTS ABOUT UC'S PROPOSAL FOR PCTs

Throughout the past five months of bargaining with the union, UC has proven its interest in reaching an agreement for Patient Care Techs. We have offered the union more than four different package proposals addressing their bargaining committee’s various concerns in an attempt to find common ground. ASFCME rejected all of these offers and their bargaining committee has made it clear that they are unwilling to make significant movement towards compromise.

UC even offered an alternate option to re-open discussions on key issues of the contract including wages, health care and retirement as early as mid-2008. AFSCME rejected this offer as well.

Please review the chart below for information on UC’s good faith efforts to reach a new agreement for PCTs and visit www.UCPatientCareTechs.com for more details and continuous updates.

Issue

UC’s position

Healthcare and Retirement Benefits

· The same high quality health care and retirement benefits as other UC employees at the same affordable cost or re-open this issue for bargaining with the union in Year 2 and 3 of the contract.

· No substantive changes to retirement benefits, including no employee contributions, through September 30, 2008.

· (Several months after UC’s initial offer, the union agreed to adopt the University’s 2008 health care plans which provided reductions in rates for some employees.)

Salary

· Raises from 3% to 15% depending on location and title, designed to ensure PCTs at each location earn competitive wages as compared to other California hospitals.

· Movement to a step structure in Year 2 of the contract or re-open this issue for bargaining with the union in Year 2.

· Step increases based on an additional year service with UC and satisfactory or better performance in Year 3 of the contract or re-open this issue for bargaining with the union in Year 3.

Parking

· Defined limitations on the amount parking rates can increase by location in each year of the contract.

Hours of Work Issues

· Maintain premium overtime, on-call pay and reasonable call back requirements. These current provisions are similar to provisions that apply to many other medical center employees including health care professionals.

Compromises and Settlement Efforts

· 4 different comprehensive proposals in the past 5 months responsive to union concerns, and offers to renegotiate wages and benefits in 2008 – all rejected by AFSCME.

As a next step in these negotiations, UC and union leaders will meet with a state appointed mediator. Mediation is a confidential process, and both parties are expected to work in good faith to try to resolve differences. Neither party should engage in any behavior that would disrupt the process or reduce the possibility of an agreement. Initial mediation sessions are scheduled for January 28 and 29.