UC to seek state-assisted mediation in negotiations with UPTE

Due to a lack of progress and more than a year of bargaining for a contract covering research and technical staff, UC has informed the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) union that it will ask the state Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) to certify negotiations are at an impasse and appoint a mediator to assist in negotiations. UC hopes that a state-appointed mediator will help pave the way for an agreement.

UC has been bargaining in good faith with UPTE for more than a year and is very frustrated with the lack of progress and what UC views as UPTE’s financially unrealistic proposals. Throughout negotiations, UC has offered fair, multi-year proposals that include guaranteed wage increases and excellent health and retirement benefits that fairly compensate you and your colleagues for the valuable work you perform every day.

By contrast, UPTE continues to demand pay increases that are nearly three times what other UC employees receive.

UC’s most recent offer:

• Multi-year annual wage increases: Guaranteed wage increases of 2 percent in each year of the contract. These increases would ensure your salaries remain market-competitive.
• Excellent health coverage: Quality health care for you and your families at the same rates as other UC employees, which are well below the national average.
• Retirement benefits that few employers can match: Current employees will see no change in their pension benefits. Future employees hired after a new contract is ratified would choose between a traditional pension plan and a 401(k)-style plan. Few employers offer this kind of choice.

You deserve a contract and salary increases without further delay.

More information at  https://ucal.us/upte