Bargaining Update from the week of 2/7
We had two bargaining sessions last week, on Tuesday 2/7 and on Friday 2/11. In Tuesday’s session we reached tentative agreements with UC on two important articles: Union Access and Rights, and Nondiscrimination. A “tentative agreement” or TA is when we reach agreement with UC on one article of the contract; when we reach tentative agreement on all articles, then all Postdoc members will vote on ratifying the contract.
In Nondiscrimination, we won better and broader definitions of discrimination, harassment and retaliation! These will give more recourse and protections to more Postdocs. We also stopped UC’s attempts to eliminate the timelines that hold UC accountable in addressing cases of harassment and discrimination. Winning workplace equity is one of our top bargaining goals, and reaching agreement on this topic is a major step, but we’re still fighting to win much more including anti-bullying protections, childcare subsidies, more paid family leave, better access for Postdocs with disabilities and international scholar rights. In the Union Access and Rights article we won a number of new rights that will help new Postdocs and will keep our union strong. You can find these proposals amongst all others on this tracker.
In Friday’s 2-hour bargaining session, UC once again frittered away the first hour in their caucus zoom room. When they finally emerged, they presented a package proposal that would increase the costs of the PPO plans for Postdocs by up to 73%. For families the costs would increase by 46%! This is not the way to promote a family-friendly workplace and would amount to a pay cut for thousands of Postdocs on the PPO plan. On a rare positive note however, UC indicated a willingness to improve paid parental leave as this package included six weeks of 100% paid leave, an increase from the currently guaranteed four weeks.
We also presented data on the frequent pay issues experienced by Postdocs across all campuses. A whopping 2,601 Postdocs have experienced pay issues in the last four years, for a total of $1.78 million in wages that our union recovered by filing many grievances. But UC is very slow to resolve payroll issues — often taking nearly 100 days to fix the problem — which is unacceptable when we already struggle to pay rent and other basic expenses. We have made a proposal on an expedited resolution process, including monthly meetings with UC specifically to address pay issues.
Join a Housing Action at your campus starting next week!
Starting this week, UAW 5810, UAW 2865, and Student Researchers United members across UC are coming together to demand action to address rent burden. By taking action together, we can show the University that they need to take our bargaining demands seriously.
RSVP to join your campus action here!
Member participation is critical to winning a strong contract. The bargaining committee holds weekly meetings that are open to all Postdoc members. There are lots of ways to fight for issues you’re passionate about! Click here to get involved!
In solidarity,
Postdoc Bargaining Team and Alternates
Sarah Arveson, UC Berkeley
Gilbert Bernstein, UC Berkeley
Chris Hart, UC Davis
Tim Kodalle, LBL
Jesse Livezey, LBL
Brad Barker, UC Merced
Ingrid Padilla Espinosa, UC Merced
Tyler Bell, UC San Diego
Adam Caparco, UC San Diego
Jade Moore, UC San Francisco
Anne Sapiro, UC San Francisco
Caitlin Taylor, UC Santa Barbara
Follow your union on Twitter @UAW5810!