2006

The HX Bargaining team met Tuesday, August 8th, in San Diego . The last time we had met with UC we had presented our compensation proposal, so we were very interested in hearing their comments and questions. They did have many questions and concerns, as expected. The questions were mainly regarding our request that all HX classifications be at one salary, and that salary be based on the Bay Area or whatever campus has the highest market rate. They asked how we determined what the market rate for any particular job title might be. They asked what we proposed to use to determine what "relevant job experience" might be, when determining one's years of experience. UC also asked many questions about how our 15 step proposal would work.

And, to make sure there was no confusion - they let us know that they were only asking these questions for informational purposes - it didn't mean they agreed or disagreed with our compensation proposal.

Several Physician Assistant's from UC San Diego spoke at the bargaining table. They presented really great graphs and material demonstrating just how poorly they are paid when comparing themselves to the rest of the San

Diego area PA's. Also, how poorly they are paid compared to all the other UC PA's. And, lastly, how poorly they are paid compared to Nurse Practitioners, who have less education and responsibilities.

Then, a Clinical Laboratory Scientist from UC Irvine made a very heartfelt and impressive presentation on behalf of Irvine CLS's and all the CLS's throughout the UC system. He spoke to the pressing need to retain and recruit our CLS's and that market rate wages is one very important way to do that. When we are at your campus, if you would like to make a presentation to UC regarding wages, benefits or any other relevant topic, please let your local bargainer know. It really makes a difference in bringing our demands to life and real for UC.

We did not receive anything from them regarding their proposed changes to our benefits package. In particular, UC did not share any proposal with us about their plans to take 2% out of our salary to put into the retirement pension fund in July, 2007.

To continue putting pressure on UC, members should sign the Quality Patient Care Means Fair Wages for Health Care Workers petition that is circulating.

We are collecting the signatures that will eventually be on a large poster board on your campus. Ask your Zone Contact or UPTE staff person to sign on.

Due to the death in the family of our Chief Bargainer, we cancelled the last Two days of bargaining. We will be meeting at UC Davis next week.

Your bargaining team,
Bob Dawson (BK), Wendi Felson (SF), Larry Freed (IR), Sue McCormick (DV),
Sheila Stittiams (SD), Ellen West (CWA Dist 9), Cindy Yuge (LA)