May 4, 2009
During last week's bargaining session, CUE and UC exchanged wage proposals. CUE is working to get the most reasonable increase considering the current economic times and documented facts that for over 10 years members of the CUE bargaining unit have been and are receiving wages that are significantly below the market.
The CUE proposal structures across-the-board increases for all CX employees of:
- 3.5% effective October 1, 2008;
- 4% effective July 1, 2009;
- 4% effective July 1, 2010;
- 4% effective July 1, 2011
For each year listed above, the CUE proposal includes these additional features:
- Step and percentage equity increases (half-step and 2% and full step and .5%) between the urban and lower-paid rural-designated campuses; and
- Longevity-step placement consistent with what has already been implemented by UC for other represented employees and CUE represented employees at the San Francisco medical center. See the longevity tables at this link: http://sfcue.org/guidelines.php
- A two (2)-step increase for all employees affected by workload increases as the result of clustering or reorganizations of or within departments.
The CUE bargaining team believes that the University proposal does not represent a reasonable attempt to meet the Regents stated objective and pledge to bring salaries up to market for all university employees within a ten year period. We are currently in year seven of that timeframe.
The university proposal follows:
- No increases for 2008.
- For 2009, effective on the first of the month, following written notice of ratification from CUE:
- Three percent (3%) increases to those within a classification with a weighted-average salary* less than $30,000;
- One and one half percent (1.5%) to those within a classification with a weighted-average salary* of $30,000 to $40, 000; and
- One percent (1%) to those within a classification with a weighted-average salary* greater than $40,000.
- In fiscal year 2009-10, effective January 1, 2010
- Three percent (3%) increases to those within a classification with a weighted-average salary* less than $30,000; and
- One percent (1%) to those within a classification with a weighted-average salary* of $30,000 and more.
- In fiscal year 2010-11, the proposed increase is contingent upon State funding of 3.4% or more. If this funding is received from the state, the following increases would be effective October 1, 2010:
- Three percent (3%) increases to those within a classification with a weighted-average salary* less than $30,000.
- One percent (1%) to those within a classification with a weighted-average salary* of $30,000 and more.
- In addition, if the 3.4% is received from the state, non-probationary, career bargaining unit employees who are below the maximum of the salary range shall be eligible, according to local
merit programs, for a one-half step merit increase based on satisfactory or better performance effective April 1, 2011.
- The University proposal calls for minimum hourly wages ranging from $12, $12.50 and $13 dollars for 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11.
The university wage proposal is part of a package proposal which will expire June 30, 2009 if not accepted by CUE.
The university was unable to provide the weighted average salaries for the classifications at each location during the bargaining sessions and has promised to do so by May 1, 2009. Further details of the other issues discussed during this three day session will be distributed shortly.
The parties are very far apart on wages. Negotiations will resume May 27-29 in Davis. CUE represented employees are encouraged to attend these sessions.
* Weighted average salary is calculated by the university as follows: total the actual salaries of individuals in a certain job classification, such as Library Asst. III, then divide the total of all their salaries by the total FTE (full time equivalent number of employees) in that classification.