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[January 4, 2008]
UC met with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees on Thursday, January 3, 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 reiterated our interest in receiving written proposals from AFSCME in addition to the oral proposals they have made for some articles of the contract. AFSCME again declined to provide the University with their verbal proposals in writing. The University presented the union with information about the potential state budget cuts for 2008, and attempted to initiate a discussion over how UC and AFSCME might reach agreement on a contract that provides wage increases for University service workers under difficult budget conditions. The union did not want to discuss the issue of state funding for service worker salaries.
The next bargaining date is scheduled for January 17.
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.