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[January 17, 2008]
UC met with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees on Thursday, January 17, 2008 to bargain over a new contract for the more than 7,000 service employees who work at UC's campuses and medical centers.
At this week's bargaining session, UC proposed a contract extension along with a proposal to give approximately $1 million in wage increases for various titles at various locations, which would be implemented while a contract extension is in place. The current contract with AFSCME for service employees ends on January 31, 2008. The union rejected the University's proposal. In addition, the University proposed pre-impasse mediation, which would allow for a third party mediator to join the two parties in bargaining, to help make movement on a number of items still on the table. AFSCME stated it would respond to UC's proposal to include a mediator in the bargaining process prior to the next scheduled bargaining session.
The next bargaining dates are scheduled for January 23 and 30-31
UC GOALS
The University's bargaining positions reflect UC's ongoing desire to be an employer of choice for all employees.
- Develop an attractive total compensation package in order to retain and attract high caliber service employees to UC.
- Continue to provide health care and retirement benefits to employees at the same costs as they are provided to other UC employees.
- Reach a comprehensive and mutually beneficial multi-year agreement through good faith negotiations prior to the expiration of the current contract.
IMPORTANCE OF SERVICE EMPLOYEES' PARTICIPATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF ISSUES
The agreements made between UC and AFSCME will impact service employees directly. Therefore, it's very important that employees educate themselves about both parties' proposals and stay informed throughout the process. For employees that are new to UC or the collective bargaining process, it's especially important to understand how the negotiation process works; the rights and responsibilities of participants; and the mutual obligation of both parties to honor the process and bargain in good faith. As one of many sources of information, service employees can learn about and follow what's occurring in bargaining by visiting the University's website. The web site also contains valuable background information about the collective bargaining process, and The Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act (HEERA), the law that governs contract negotiations and sets forth the obligations and responsibilities for participants, including employees.
UC'S COMMITMENT TO FAIR NEGOTIATIONS AND RESOLVING DISPUTES
UC remains fully committed to conducting fair, respectful, efficient negotiations. There may be differences of opinion expressed by each of the parties during the contract negotiation process. UC supports that process and remains committed to utilizing the bargaining table as the proper place to resolve those differences of opinion and work constructively toward win-win solutions.