YOUR RIGHTS as an Academic Researcher at UC

UAW 5810 is the union of over 11,000 Academic Researchers and Postdocs at UC. Through our union, ARs and Postdocs bargain collectively with UC to improve our pay, benefits, rights, and terms and conditions of employment. The results of the bargaining are spelled out in a collective bargaining agreement (“contract”), which is summarized below. If you have any work-related issues or questions, contact your union at uaw5810@uaw5810.org.

Compensation and Benefits:

AR salary scales will increase by 4.5% on July 1, 2023. Additional increases of 3.5% will follow on July 1, 2024 and July 1, 2025 July 1, 2026, and July 1, 2027
Over the life of the agreement, AR salary rates will increase % depending on title, rank, and step.
UC may provide pay above the rates established in the contract.

Health and Retirement Benefits:

To participate in UC benefits (medical, dental, vision, etc.), you must enroll within 31 days of your hire date. You may change your enrollment choices during the annual open enrollment (usually during OctoberNovember ) and/or if there is a qualifying event such as a birth or adoption, marriage, or job change.
Newly hired ARs choose between two types of retirement plans: a defined benefit pension plan (UC Retirement Plan) and a defined contribution plan (UC Savings Choice). If you do not select a plan within 90 days of hiring you will be placed in the pension plan.
For retirement plans, UC must maintain current employee contribution rates and cannot change pension plans or tiers without bargaining with the Union.

Merit Review and Promotions:

All ARs must receive merit reviews on time (every 2 – 3 years for most ARs). UC must provide written notice of eligibility for a merit increase six weeks before materials are due, and notice of its decision and an explanation.
Approved promotions and merit increases must be effective on July 1 in year of review.

Appointments and Job Security:

Initial appointments must be for a minimum of 1 year. After first merit review, reappointments must be equal to length of time in a pay step (2 – 3 years at a minimum), providing increased job security and longer visas.
ARs may only be laid off under certain conditions and must be provided 45 days’ notice.
For ARs who primarily supported by funding sources on which they are a Principal Investigator, UC may approve a temporary salary reduction instead of a reduction in percent effort to prevent a layoff.
ARs may not be fired or disciplined arbitrarily and without “just cause.” If you believe your supervisor or the university is contemplating discipline or termination of your appointment, you should contact the Union immediately as you have the right to representation and due process.

Non-Discrimination and Respectful Work Environment:

Discrimination, sexual harassment and abusive conduct are resolvable though the grievance procedure and, ultimately, appeal to a neutral arbitrator. ARs who report a discrimination, harassment or abusive conduct claim are protected to ensure their research and career progress can continue.

Time Off – Vacation, Sick Time, and Holidays:

Full-time ARs accrue 24 days of vacation, 12 sick days, and 14 paid holidays per year. Vacation requests may not be unfairly denied.
Approved absences of less than a full day (e.g., for a doctor’s appointment) do not require a sick leave day. Sick days can also be used for other types of leave (childbearing, family illness, family leave).
Sick leave accrued in other UC appointments (such as Postdoc) should be transferred when you become an AR.

Leaves of Absence and Family/Parental Leave:

The contract guarantees the length of time and the salary and benefits ARs receive when taking time off for reasons such as giving birth, bonding with a newborn child, or taking care of a family member. This includes 8 weeks paid parental leave or family care benefit at 100% pay.
No limits on use of accrued sick and vacation days used for family and medical leave (including parental leave), and parental leave can be used in a flexible manner.
ARs can use sick leave or vacation when they cannot work due to a work-incurred injury or illness compensable under the California Workers’ Compensation Act, including to supplement temporary disability payments to reach 100% pay.

International Researcher Rights:

ARs will not suffer a loss in pay if UC misses its deadlines to send necessary paperwork to external agencies, resulting in a delay in the start date of a reappointment.

Grievance and Arbitration:

While the contract encourages informal resolution of grievances, it includes the right to take an unresolved grievance to a neutral third-party arbitrator so that the university cannot unilaterally determine the outcome.

Health and Safety Protections:

ARs have the right to relevant health and safety training, to refuse a hazardous assignment until it has been remedied or determined to be safe, to access safe operating procedures and legally-required safety records for chemicals, substances and equipment, and to use protective clothing and equipment necessary for each assigned duty.
The contract guarantees ARs access to tools and equipment necessary to carry out assigned duties.

Get Involved! We are a member-driven union — only through majority participation in each department can our union work to improve AR careers and research programs. Email uaw5810@uaw5810.org if you’re interested in getting involved!