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[October 8, 2007]
UC began negotiations with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees on Thursday (October 4) over a new employment contract for the more than 7,000 service employees who work at UC's campuses and medical centers. The University will make every effort to ensure a productive, professional, solution-oriented relationship between UC and AFSCME throughout the bargaining process.
At our bargaining session with the union on Friday (Oct. 5), negotiations were brought to a halt when a number of students attempted to attend the bargaining session without providing notice to the University bargaining team. The Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act states that the collective bargaining process is confidential, and allows for one UCSA student designate to attend bargaining sessions. As no UCSA student designate was in attendance, the University expressed its interest in hearing comments from the student attendees and after hearing their comments requested that AFSCME continue the confidential bargaining session with the University in accordance with state law. UC is committed to good faith bargaining, as outlined by HEERA, and will continue to bargain with AFSCME under the governance of the law.
UC GOALS
The University's bargaining positions reflect UC's ongoing desire to be an employer of choice for all employees.
UC's major goals for this year's negotiations include:
- 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 web site. 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.