Pension Bargaining Update #4

On December 7, 2006 the UC Union Coalition Bargaining Team (UCUC) met again with the University in Emeryville regarding UC's proposed Paycuts for Pensions plan. Our AFSCME, UPTE, CUE Bargaining Team was supported by representatives from the UAW 2865 - the Academic Student Employee Union, Council of UC Faculty Associations, and the American Association of University Professors.

"We are here because we share the UCUC's concerns that lower paid employees, including lower paid faculty, cannot afford these paycuts," stated Chris Rosen, Associate Professor at the Haas Business School and member of the Berkeley Faculty Association. "We also share the Coalition's concern regarding conflicts of interest with pension decision-makers and the lack of transparency regarding key pension decisions."

UCUC members also continued the questioning of UC Administrators, focusing on the University's special plan for highly paid executives.

Unions Submit Governance and Plan Funding Proposals.

While the Coalition's ability to bargain has been severely compromised by UC's refusal to comply with our information requests, UCUC was still able to make a partial counterproposal. Governed by the UC Regents, UCRS lacks meaningful representation from plan participants. The UCUC has therefore proposed joint governance of the UCRP, with elected representation from union members.

The Coalition also proposed that UC withdraw its request to the IRS to create an additional retirement benefit for only highly compensated employees. Finally, the Coalition asked for detailed information regarding the transfer of thousands of employees at the Los Alamos National Laboratory out of the UCRS, a change that could significantly impact the future of UCRS. The Unions asked that UC immediately cease all transfers not needed for immediate pension payments to former Los Alamos employees, until UC provides the information the unions requested, and bargains with the unions over the transfers.

UC Backs Off First Proposal!

UCUC has backed UC off their original pension proposal, which UC has revised to include language more favorable to the unions.

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