CUE and UC bargaining representatives met on July 20 and 21 in Oakland.
CUE presented a summary of our proposals, once again, and answered
more UC questions about them. CUE has proposed a 6% across-the-board
wage increase for the current year for all clericals (retroactive to
October 1, 1999), and a 5% increase for the year beginning October 1,
2000. These across-the-board increases would begin the process of
restoring UC clericals' lost purchasing power and closing the 21% gap
between UC clerical wages and salaries paid for the same work
outside the university. CUE has proposed adding two new steps to the
top of the range, one step each year during a two year contract, to
provide merit increases for the 40% of clericals who are currently
topped out. CUE has also proposed redistribution of Incentive Award
Program funds as equitable 1.3% increases to the base wages of every UC
clerical employee because future raises and one's retirement are
calculated on base wages.
CUE's bargainers have asserted that UC can easily afford these
increases and proven this with the University's own financial
statements. UC representatives have admitted that this is true. The
cost to UC of accepting CUE's proposals is even lower, now, because of
help from the California legislature. The budget for fiscal year
2000-2001 includes increased state funding directed specifically for
raising UC staff wages. All that is lacking, now, is the will of the UC
administration to provide fair wages for UC clericals.
UC had no wage counter-proposal to offer this bargaining session.
However, UC's chief negotiator did state that the University is
reviewing its options and will have a new proposal to present when we
meet again on August 2-3. We will keep you informed.
Please continue to pressure UC to provide fair and decent wages to
clericals. It is clear that your voices are being heard. Keep it up!
CUE's Bargaining Team:
- Christine Benoit (Riverside)
- Stephane Berlaud (San Francisco)
- Debbie Ceder (Santa Barbara)
- Mark Covington (Lawrence Berkeley National Lab)
- Jennifer Goodheart (Santa Cruz)
- LeAnn Herigstad (Davis)
- Alyce Herrera (Lawrence Berkeley National Lab)
- Lyn Kelly (Los Angeles)
- Robin Luczak (San Diego)
- Joanne Murray (Santa Barbara)
- Cynthia Norman (Irvine)
- Margy Wilkinson (Berkeley)
- Mark Blum (Chief Negotiator)
