Pension Bargaining Update #2 (2006): Coalition Demands UC Sunshine Proposals!

Pension Bargaining Update #2

On October 25, members of the UC Union Coalition Bargaining Team met for the first time with UC Administration to discuss UC’s proposed Paycuts for Pensions. Present at Coalition Bargaining are teams representing AFSCME Local 3299, CUE, and UPTE-CWA, who met in a day long planning caucus the day before. On the 25th they were supported by nearly twenty representatives from CNA, AFT and the Faculty Association. â€œNurses know we ALL need to stick together to protect our pensions.” said Tam Nguyen an RN at the UC Irvine.

UC Workers “Sticker Up” to Support Bargaining Team!

Throughout the UC system, UC workers wore yellow solidarity stickers that stated, “I Support Coalition Bargaining-October 25, Hands Off Our Benefits!” Union members also led delegations, marches, and rallies in support of the fight against Paycuts for Pensions. “It is bad enough UC Workers have to take two and three jobs in order to meet our everyday needs. Is it fair for them to increase employee contributions? We don’t think so!” said CUE’s UCSF President, Ginger Jones, in a delegation to the Chancellor.

Coalition Bargaining Team Supports UPTE’s HX Unit

The UC Union Coalition presented a proposal to officially move the pension issue from the UPTE HX (Healthcare Professional) unit’s bargaining table, to the coordinated Union Coalition bargaining table. The university refused this offer.
UC’s Proposal: Give Up our Pension Bargaining Rights!

The University’s first proposal was a waiver allowing them to change, at their will and without our agreement, OUR future contributions to the plan. This means that they would not have to bargain over pension in the future! They also reiterated their intent to begin with the 2% redirect, followed by ramped up employee contributions up to an 8% paycut.

UC Breaks Public Notice Law by Not “Sunshining” Proposals!

On Friday, November 3, several community members notified the Union Coalition that they were filing a charge against the University for its failure to properly “Sunshine” proposals to the public. “Sunshining” is required by law, in order to ensure that the public has an opportunity to comment on any proposal that the Regents may be undertaking.

Although bargaining was supposed to have taken place on November 9th, the UC Unions have been forced to postpone bargaining until the University complies with public notice requirements.

The Union Coalition has repeatedly expressed its deep concerns over UC’s failure to properly sunshine proposals. We stand firmly with the public in demanding that the University comply with the law, and will not agree to any further meetings until this issue is properly resolved.