[Faculty] Provost's Letter to Faculty re ASE/GSR Bargaining September Update

[UCR Provost]

*This letter is sent on behalf of UC System Provost and Executive Vice
President Katherine S. Newman. For your convenience, the text of the letter
is below.  The signed letter is attached as a pdf.*



ACADEMIC COUNCIL CHAIR AHMET PALAZOGLU

EXECUTIVE VICE CHANCELLORS AND PROVOSTS



Dear Colleagues:



I am writing to you with my next promised update regarding ongoing
negotiations between the University and the United Auto Workers (UAW) for
the recently unified Academic Student Employees (ASE – TAs, AIs, Fellows,
Readers, Tutors) and Graduate Student Researchers (GSR) bargaining unit
that should be shared with all faculty.



During the two bargaining sessions held in August, the UAW presented nine
proposals/ counterproposals addressing defined contribution and University
retirement plans, discipline and dismissal, community safety, housing,
parking and transit, personal time off, reasonable accommodation,
transitional positions, and workspace and instructional support. The UAW
proposed (1) increases in paid personal time off; (2) expansion and
formalization of the transitional funding pilot program that was
implemented last year; (3) increases in parking and transit benefits; (4)
an annual housing survey for bargaining unit employees; (5) augmenting
campus response to mental health crises; and (6) expanding retirement plan
access.



In turn, the University presented eight proposals/counterproposals that
relate to discipline and dismissal, immigration, non-discrimination,
personal time off, reasonable accommodation, respectful work environment,
union security, and workspace and instructional support. The University’s
proposals/counterproposals related to expanding immigration protections,
addressing job abandonment, and clarifying and aligning with systemwide
policies. The University understands immigration is a key issue for the
union, and the UC bargaining team worked closely with subject matter
experts to meet the UAW where feasible on this counterproposal. In the
non-discrimination and respectful work environment proposals, the
University aims to align these provisions with University policy, including
ensuring investigations are concluded before any arbitration hearings are
conducted.



The University and UAW reached their first tentative agreement on workspace
and instructional support. This positive movement underscores the
constructive collaboration evident between both parties in these
negotiations.



There will be three bargaining sessions in September. The bargaining team,
including the two faculty members who are serving on it, is diligently
reviewing the feasibility of UAW’s proposals in light of our overarching
goal to reach a fair contract that furthers



UC’s education and research mission and that is consistent with our
operational and financial constraints.



As always, thank you for your patience with the negotiations process and
your continued contributions to our academic community. I look forward to
finding common ground with

our union colleagues to reach a successful agreement that benefits the
graduate student academic employees, the faculty, and the overall mission
of University.




Best wishes,







Katherine S. Newman

UC System Provost and

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs



UC Berkeley Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor of Sociology & Public
Policy



cc:            President Milliken

            Chancellors

            Academic Council Vice Chair Scott

            Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Nava

            Executive Vice President Rubin

    Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer Bustamante

    Senior Vice President Turner

    Laboratory Director Witherell

    Vice President Brown

    Vice President/Vice Provost Gullatt

    Vice President Humiston

    Vice President and Chief of Staff Kao

    Vice President Lloyd

    Vice President Maldonado

    Vice Provost Varsanyi

    Vice Provosts/Vice Chancellors for Academic Personnel

    Deputy Provost Lee

    Associate Vice Provost Jennings

    Associate Vice President Matella

    Associate Vice President McRae

    Assistant Vice Provosts/Vice Chancellors for Academic Personnel

    Chief Human Resource Officers

    Graduate Deans

    Executive Director Anders

    Executive Director Lin

    Executive Director Teaford

    Deputy General Counsel Woodall

    Chief of Staff Beechem

    Labor Relations Directors

    Director Weston-Dawkes

    Associate Director/Chief Negotiator Menezes
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