Bargaining Update #22: July 8-11, 2002
CUE and UC met July 8 - 11 in Oakland.
TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES
On Monday, July 8, we discussed the issue of temporary workers who were
dismissed by UC last month. UC signed an agreement with CUE in January
2001 that would allow temporary workers who worked for 18 consecutive
months to convert to career. Rather than allow temps to convert, UC has
generally been dismissing them. This policy decision conflicts with UC's
commitment to CUE, the state auditor, and the legislature to stop the
abuse of these workers and to allow them to achieve career status.
ACCESS, ARBITRATION, AND NO STRIKES
CUE made offers to UC on contract articles dealing with access (union
rights), arbitration, and no strikes. UC did not accept our proposals in
spite of our strong effort to meet UC's expressed "needs" without
compromising our principles. UC appears to continue to want a No Strikes
article that limits our rights to free speech and an access article that
would limit our ability to meet with union representatives at work beyond
what is already provided for by law.
WAGES
UC changed its 2002-2003 proposal. Last month they "offered" CUE-
represented employees limited merit increases and no cost of living
adjustment (COLA). The new proposal is a 1.5% COLA and NO merits (a
second year with no merits).
CUE bargainers asked UC what their proposal would cost in dollars. At
first, UC claimed it was a "floating" number, but a policy commitment that
everyone would get 1.5%. CUE protested that it was impossible for us to
make a counter offer without a dollar figure. Finally, UC claimed about
$41 million for the total annual clerical wage bill with a 1.5% COLA--
hardly a generous offer with its $2.9 Billion in unrestricted reserves.
During this bargaining session we learned that UC expects health care
premiums to go up between 20% and 40% as of January 2003 and that there
will no longer be a "free" health plan.
If these trends continue, clericals will soon be paying UC to work here.
Our next bargaining session is scheduled for the first week in August in
southern California.
CUE's Bargaining Team:
- Margy Wilkinson, Chief Negotiator
- Chris Benoit, Lead Negotiator
- Mark Covington, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
- Becky Croll, Davis
- Deborah Freeman, San Francisco
- Jody Galluzzi, San Diego
- Elaine Hernandez, Irvine
- Connie McGrath, Riverside
- Joanne Murray, Santa Barbara
- Zoe Sodja, Santa Cruz
- Anita Windom-Jones, Los Angeles
