Bargaining Update Archive

May 2008 —

UC and AFSCME Unable to Reach Agreement

UC met with AFSCME on Saturday, May 10 to continue bargaining over a new contract for patient care technical employees.  Unfortunately, at the conclusion of the bargaining session, the Union indicated that the parties were too far apart on a number of key issues and stated that there was no point in continuing to bargain.  The University reminded the Union that UC remains committed to reaching agreement and indicated a willingness to make further movement in the context of reaching agreement on all outstanding issues.  AFSCME then informed UC that it would take the University’s latest proposal back to its members.  It has since come to the attention of the University that the Union is scheduling strike votes at UC facilities across the state. 

UC has bargained with AFSCME in good faith and has offered multiple package proposals that would provide wage increases between 4-15% and a transition to a step-based pay structure in year one alone and guarantee patient care technical employees the same high quality benefits as other UC employees.

UC offers would have provided the following:

·         WAGES: In year one alone, increases between 4-15% to ensure patient care technical employee salaries are competitive with the market and movement to a step-based pay structure based on UC experience within a classification;

·         HOURS OF WORK:  Beginning October 1, 2009, UC has proposed time and a half after shift for most employees and double time after 12 hours;

·         DEVELOPMENT:  Professional development and educational leave increased to 32 and 40 hours in years two and three of the agreement;

·         HEALTH CARE BENEFITS:  The same high quality health benefit plans offered to all other UC employees at the same cost.  UC’s last proposal outlined conditions for possible reopeners on benefits as well;

·         RETIREMENT:  Guaranteed no employee contributions to the pension plan until at least September 30, 2008. UC employees have not had to contribute toward the cost of their pension benefits – considered the gold standard by many – for over 17 years due in part to strong investment performance.  UC’s last proposal outlined conditions for possible reopeners on retirement as well;

·         FLEXIBLE PAID TIME OFF:  A Paid Time Off (PTO) program at locations where it already exists for other employees (UCSFMC, UCDHS, UCLAMC and UCIMC);

·         PARKING:  Parking rate caps of between $0 and $16 per month in each year of the contract. 

The University’s multiple offers were comprehensive and designed to reach compromise with AFSCME.  We are disappointed that union leaders appear intent to call a strike.  We want employees to become educated on UC’s many proposals. 

Please contact your labor relations representative with specific questions.  

UPDATE: 

·         For a brief summary of the key issues, click here.

·         The fact-finding report is now available - please click here for the full report.

·         Questions about the strike vote?  Click here for answers to Frequently Asked Questions.  (Para Español, hacer un click aquí.)