University of California Office of the President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Noel Van Nyhuis (510) 287-3356
noel.vannyhuis@ucop.edu

UC REACHES TENTATIVE CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH SERVICE WORKER UNION

University of California officials announced today (Wednesday) that UC has reached a tentative agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees on a new, three-year labor contract for UC's 7,300 service workers.

"Our service employees play a vital role at UC campuses and medical centers, and we are pleased to have reached an agreement that recognizes their many important contributions and addresses important issues for both parties," said Howard Pripas, UC director of labor relations. "We believe this agreement is fair and financially realistic given our resources and the level of state salary funding promised under our budget compact with the governor."

Once ratified by AFSCME, the agreement will be effective from the date of ratification through Jan. 31, 2008.

Highlights of the agreement include:

Wages: 3 percent across-the-board wage increases, effective Oct. 1, 2005; 3 percent across-the-board increases in year two; and a 4 percent increase in year three of the contract, consistent with the university's budget compact with the governor and subject to final state funding appropriations in each year;

Health benefits: UC will maintain its current salary-based approach to health insurance premiums through 2009;

Professional development and training: Expanded employee development and training resources, including 24 hours per year of paid career development, and the establishment of a labor-management committee to identify career paths and promotional opportunities;

Parking rates: AFSCME-represented employees will receive the same lowest parking rates as other represented staff at the same location with the same parking access.

UC and AFSCME began negotiations for service employees in July 2004. The union held a one-day strike on April 14, which the university believes was unlawful given that the entire bargaining process had not been completed. The university has not decided whether to file an official complaint against the union for the strike, or if any other action will be taken.

UC takes pride in its ongoing commitment to working effectively with its labor unions and in its ability to continually provide quality employment conditions and opportunities for the more than 160,000 employees that make UC their employer of choice. UC negotiates with 15 unions representing approximately 60,000 UC employees throughout the state.

For more information about some of the outstanding benefits that UC employees enjoy, please go to:

http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/forms_pubs/misc/bensofbelong.pdf

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