Last month Academic Researchers (Project Scientists, Specialists, Professional Researchers and Coordinators of Public Programs) won a significant victory in our fight for a more equitable career advancement system at UC. At UC Davis and UC San Francisco, 55 Junior Specialists who were incorrectly kept at Step 1 past the end of their first year secured back pay and advancement to Step 2; collectively these workers are receiving $130,000, or an average of $2300 each. Will you help keep the pressure on UC by adding your name to Academic Researchers’ petition to ensure a fair career advancement process.
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Since Academic Researchers formed our union and won our first contract in 2020, Junior Specialist minimum pay (Step 1) has increased from $39,500 to $51,300 and will increase to $53,000 on July 1. Before the contract, the annual increases provided by UC averaged only 1.7% per year. Junior Specialists have also won an improved process to transition to longer-term Assistant Specialist positions.
UC Davis Academic Researchers deliver a petition to the Chancellor during 2019 contract negotiations.
These improvements are only possible because Academic Researchers have organized and put pressure on UC to achieve them. There are many more Academic Researchers across UC who face significant career advancement obstacles, and ARs have the power to fix this system on a broad scale. But AR’s ability to win equitable career advancement for all is dependent on having strong majority union membership. If you are not currently a member, please join your fellow ARs by signing up for membership today.
In solidarity,
Alexandra Calderon
Junior Specialist, Dept of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
UAW 4811 Davis