UC lecturers will follow the same eligibility rules as non-represented staff to receive the same retiree health benefits, under a new agreement the university and the American Federation of Teachers (UC-AFT) have reached.
Members of the lecturers bargaining unit have ratified the agreement covering two benefits-related issues that were the subject of a limited contract reopener.
Under the agreement lecturers who were members of the bargaining unit before July 1, 2013 will follow the same eligibility rules as their non-represented colleagues hired before that date. Those joining or rejoining the bargaining unit on or after July 1, 2013 will follow a modified set of eligibility rules.
All these eligibility rules are outlined here.
The agreement includes an exception to accommodate eligible continuing appointees hired before July 1, 2013 who meet the eligibility criteria and have a break in service of more than 120 days but less than 1 year and 1 day. Those meeting the exception will follow the same eligibility rules as if they did not have a break in service.
UC and UC-AFT also agreed to form a committee to discuss the current operation of an existing contract provision that allows part-time lecturers to become benefits-eligible by working 750 or more hours over a 12-month period.
The existing contract expires June 1, 2015.