UC offers expanded economic incentives to UPTE for healthcare professionals, technical employees, and researchers on Oct 16-17

The University of California and the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) continued negotiating contracts for healthcare professionals, technical employees, and researchers on October 16-17. 

Good-faith bargaining, as mandated by the state Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), involves presenting sincere proposals and counterproposals. Our negotiation teams have continued to bargain in good faith for months, fastidiously collaborating across the system to create meaningful proposals. These proposals include historic wage increases totaling $260 million, increasing average annual salaries from $71,000 to $86,000 for research professionals, from $73,000 to $90,000 for technical professionals, and from $154,000 to $183,000 for health care professionals, and premium credits to help offset rising healthcare costs. 

In the sessions this week, UC offered an economic proposal that outlines expanded across-the-board and step increases for eligible UPTE-represented employees.  The offer stipulates a 5% across-the-board salary range increase in 2025, 3% in 2026, and 3% in 2027.

If the offer is accepted, it provides one additional step increase for non-probationary career technical employees and researchers (RX/TX) who have a satisfactory or better performance rating.

Additionally, UC submitted proposals on the following topics:

• retention of current contract language on specific articles
• updates to current articles on nondiscrimination and sexual harassment
• specifics on positions and appointments 
• unit modification language

The University continues to consider UPTE’s positions and proposals carefully. UC aims to present proposals that are not intended as a mere “starting point” but rather as fair offers that recognize the contributions of UPTE-represented employees. The next bargaining sessions are scheduled for November 7-8, 2024.