Dear colleague:
I am pleased to inform you that the University and the United Auto Workers have reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract for you and UC’s other academic researchers.
Our goal was for a multi-year agreement that recognizes the significant contributions academic researchers make to UC’s academic mission, and I believe that’s exactly what we’ve achieved.
Highlights of the agreement include:
- Compensation: 4 percent increase in January 2020 (4.5 percent for Professional Researchers); 3 percent annual increases July 1, 2020-22.
- Health benefits: Excellent medical, dental and vision care at the same rates as other UC employees with similar salaries.
- Retirement benefits: Academic researchers will participate in UC’s Retirement Choice Program, which allows employees to choose between UC’s traditional pension plan and a 401(k)-style plan. Under the choice program, UC retirement benefits are among the most generous in the market.
- Appointments: After the first merit cycle, appointment lengths will be for a minimum of two or three years, depending on the normal time for review.
- Joint Labor-Management Committees: UC and the UAW will create committees to jointly explore potential solutions to specific issues, including bridge funding for principal investigators and paid parental leave.
As always, thank you for your many contributions and all you do to support UC.
Sincerely,
Peter Chester
Executive Director
Systemwide Labor Relations