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UC-UAW Postdoctoral Scholars Negotiations
[April 21, 2009]
The UC-UAW negotiations for a contract covering Postdoctoral Scholars progressed. The parties exchanged proposals on numerous articles. This update focuses on the discussions concerning progress assessments, discipline/dismissal, and the grievance process.
The University's proposals reflect its belief that Postdoctoral Scholars are in-training to become academic professionals whose progress into independent researchers or professionals is best served by reinforcing their full inclusion as members of the University's community of scholars. The University's proposals reflect its ongoing goals of maintaining and further enhancing communication between faculty and the Postdoctoral Scholars as members of the academic community.
PROGRESS ASSESSMENT
- The University's proposal in "Progress Assessment", embraces the mentoring process, reflecting the University's recognition that Postdoctoral Scholars and Faculty must engage in an ongoing dialogue with regard to research and academic expectations, changing goals, and progress in order to best ensure a Postdoctoral Scholar's progress and career advancement. This proposal recognizes that while the faculty supervisor's advisory commitment is collaborative, variable, and evolving, Postdoctoral Scholars must receive at least one formal progress assessment each twelve-month period. Finally, the University proposal also endorses written evaluative goals and assessments, upon the Postdoctoral Scholar's request.
- The union proposal in contrast focuses on an "employment assessment" of the Postdoctoral Scholar's "work performance". It requires an annual written employment assessment, and that the criteria to be used in the assessment be put to writing six (6) months in advance of the assessment.
DISCIPLINE AND GRIEVANCE
- The University's proposals recognize the difference between discipline for standard workplace misconduct, and discipline that is directly tied to academic performance or academic conduct, including research (mis)conduct and performance. The University's proposed process ensures that the review process for disciplinary matters concerning academic misconduct or performance remain an academic review process. Under this review process, faculty members knowledgeable in the area of scholarship would review an allegation that a faculty supervisor did not use reasoned judgment when disciplining or dismissing a Postdoctoral Scholar for academic/research performance or misconduct. If appealed, a faculty administrator with the authority to modify or reverse the action would review and decide the matter.
- The University believes this process best ensures that faculty supervisors disciplinary actions receive review consistent with the generally accepted, long-standing academic and research standards.