Bargaining Update #24: Sept. 12-13, 2002
1. UC is forced back to the table to bargain in good faith
2. UC pulls wage offer off the table
3. Health and safety
1. Back at the table
In our previous bargaining session, UC had thrown a take it or leave it
offer on the table, and walked away from negotiations. This resulted in
CUE filing an Unfair Labor Practice charge, and the Berkeley/UCOP local
going on strike, from August 26-28, during the first three days of
classes. At the end of the enormously successful strike, UC contacted CUE
and asked to return to bargaining.
When we got to the table, UC had withdrawn their take it or leave it
offer, and we returned to negotiations on the full contract. Bargaining
picked up where we left off prior to August 7 and we moved closer to
agreement on the Layoff article. We agreed on a definition of special
skills, which allows UC to lay off out of seniority order, and we got a
commitment from UC that it would not ask employees to give up their
seniority rights when layoffs are proposed but that all matters regarding
seniority would be handled through the union.
2. Wages
When we met UC to negotiate, we discovered that they had essentially
pulled their wage offer (1% for 2001-2001, 1.5% for 2002-2003, and no
merits for either year) off of the table.
Now UC is "offering" a wage proposal for 2002-2003 with NO fixed amount
and NO certain implementation date. In effect they are saying "Trust us."
UC said its "offer" of 1.5% effective 10/1/02 is in doubt because although
the governor has signed the state budget, it is not final. The governor
has until January 31, 2003 to make an additional $750 million in cuts.
CUE says this ridiculous offer by UC is being justified by a complete
falsehood regarding UC's fiscal relationship to the state budget. The
signed budget provides UC over two-thirds of their requested funding.
Moreover, UC receives less than 25% of its funding from the California
state budget. Additionally, UC has billions in unrestricted reserves.
There is plenty of money to pay CUE-represented employees what we are
worth.
3. Health & Safety
On health & safety, CUE told UC that it could not agree to the present
language that says UC doesn't have to implement safety improvements except
where there are specifically designated funds for that purpose. Based on
an information request submitted by CUE we learned that there are NO
specifically designated funds at any location. CUE believes that it is
better for clericals and better for UC if the contract requires that
safety improvements be implement when recommended by experts in the field
of ergonomics.
We are currently scheduled to bargain again on October 10 and 11. CUE
plans to reopen the wage issue at the next session.
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
- Laura McCann, Santa Cruz
- Connie McGrath, Riverside
- Anita Windom-Jones, Los Angeles
