<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail-ii gmail-gt" id="gmail-:q0" style="direction:ltr;margin:8px 0px 0px;padding:0px;font-size:0.875rem;overflow-x:hidden;font-family:"Google Sans",Roboto,RobotoDraft,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><div class="gmail-a3s gmail-aiL" id="gmail-:pz" style="direction:ltr;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:small;line-height:1.5;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;overflow:auto hidden"><div id="gmail-avWBGd-75"><div dir="ltr"><div style="border-width:medium medium 1.5pt;border-style:none none solid;border-color:currentcolor currentcolor windowtext;padding:0in 0in 1pt;margin-left:0in;margin-right:0.2in"><p class="MsoNormal" style="border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;padding:0in"><i><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">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.<u></u><u></u></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;padding:0in"><i><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><br></span></i></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">ACADEMIC COUNCIL CHAIR AHMET PALAZOGLU<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">EXECUTIVE VICE CHANCELLORS AND PROVOSTS<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Dear Colleagues:<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">       <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px"><a name="m_-8662444388442263173_m_-7964904593385756283_m_2429054638825755804_OLE_LINK1"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">I am writing to you with an update regarding implementation of the recently negotiated agreement between the University and the United Auto Workers (UAW) for the unified Academic Student Employees (ASE – Teaching Assistants (TA), Associate Instructors (AI), Readers, Tutors) and Graduate Student Researchers (GSR) bargaining units. Please share this message with all faculty who serve as Principal Investigators (PIs) for their planning purposes.<u></u><u></u></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">As you know, the University and the UAW already reached agreement on the unified ASE and GSR contract. However, the parties continued discussions over the past seven weeks to clarify some outstanding issues and develop implementation plans, culminating in a Post-Ratification Settlement Side Letter signed on May 5, 2026. It provides detailed provisions for ASE Appointment Notification, ASE Summer Session, and Wages articles.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">I want to be sure you have full insight into these details. As you may be aware, the ASE Appointment Notification article includes a new provision establishing a 50% appointment requirement for TAs and AIs in PhD and MFA programs. The Side Letter delays implementation of this provision until Winter Quarter 2027 and Spring Semester 2027 to allow campuses and departments adequate time to accommodate this change. The parties also agreed that when the 50% FTE requirement takes effect, 50% FTE appointments will be offered unless one or more of the following exceptions apply: (1) in conjunction with other salaried bargaining unit appointments to reach a total of 50% FTE; (2) the University determines in its academic judgment that another TA or AI is more qualified to teach available course(s) and provides notice of its decision to the union; or (3) by exception, the University maintains sole discretion to appoint at a higher percentage than 50% FTE.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Additionally, for academic year 2026-2027 only, departments that had already communicated TA appointments below 50% FTE to incoming PhD and MFA students as of May 5, 2026 will not be required to supplement those appointments, provided the student receives concurrent financial support that is at least equivalent to GSR Salary Point 1 at 25% FTE for the relevant academic term.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The Post-Ratification Settlement Side Letter also establishes a new ongoing exception to the 50% FTE TA and AI requirement for cases in which fellowships or training grants restrict employment at below 50% FTE. Nothing in the agreement prevents a graduate student from rejecting a training grant-funded position or a fellowship to accept a 50% TA or AI appointment. Moreover, the University has agreed not to create or modify internal fellowship terms for the purpose of circumventing the 50% appointment requirement.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The University and UAW also reached several clarifications regarding the implementation of the GSR Wages article. Consistent with the ratified collective bargaining agreement (CBA), departments, hiring units, and programs will continue to apply the existing salary point practices in place at the time of ratification. The side letter further clarifies how current GSR salary point practices will transition to the five-point salary scale effective October 1, 2029.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">We have agreed that the GSR experience will continue to be calculated annually as of June 30 for each year of the contract. Experience-based salary progression, effective October 1, 2029, will occur prior to the elimination of the five-point scale and will be applied using the existing six-point salary scale, effective October 1, 2028. After any applicable progression is implemented, GSRs will transition horizontally onto the new five-point unified salary scale effective October 1, 2029. For the 2029-2030 academic year only, experience will still be evaluated as of June 30, 2029, but placement on the newly applicable salary point will occur on January 1, 2030.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">I recognize that the GSR salary progression and the new format of the salary scale are complicated. For ease of reference and for your internal planning purposes, I am attaching PowerPoint slides developed by the Systemwide Academic Personnel office that illustrate salary progression and experience-based increases for a GSR at each salary point on the salary scale. In close coordination with Systemwide Labor Relations and UC Legal, Systemwide Academic Personnel is continuing to develop implementation guidance and campus support resources, which will be shared in the coming weeks.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">If you have any questions about the content of this letter, please feel free to contact your local Academic Personnel office. Meanwhile, I send you my thanks (once again!) for your continued commitment to supporting our graduate student employees and maintaining the strength of our academic mission.</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">                                                                                             <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">                                                                                          Best wishes,<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 3.5in;text-indent:0.5in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Katherine S. Newman<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 3.5in;text-indent:0.5in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">UC System Provost and<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 3.5in;text-indent:0.5in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 3.5in;text-indent:0.5in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">UC Berkeley Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor of Sociology & Public Policy<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Attachment: GSR Wages Summary PPT Slides<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">        <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Cc: President Milliken<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Chancellors<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Academic Council Vice Chair Scott<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Nava<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0.0001pt 0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Executive Vice President Rubin<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer Bustamante<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Senior Vice President Turner<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Laboratory Director Witherell<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Vice President Brown<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Vice President/Vice Provost Gullatt<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Vice President Humiston<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Vice President and Chief of Staff Kao<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Vice President Henderson<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Vice President Maldonado<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Vice Provost Varsanyi<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Vice Provosts/Vice Chancellors for Academic Personnel<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Vice Chancellors for Research<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Deputy Provost Lee<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Associate Vice Provost Jennings<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Associate Vice President Matella<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Associate Vice President McRae<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Assistant Vice Provosts/Vice Chancellors for Academic Personnel<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Chief Human Resource Officers<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Graduate Deans<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Executive Director Anders<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Executive Director Lin<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Executive Director Menezes<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Deputy General Counsel Woodall<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Chief of Staff Beechem<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Labor Relations Directors<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Director Weston-Dawkes<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Associate Director Burnett<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Associate Director DiCaprio<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0.2in 0px 0px;text-indent:0.25in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Manager Ishaya</span></p></div><div class="gmail-yj6qo"></div><div class="gmail-adL"></div></div></div></div><div class="gmail-hq gmail-gt" id="gmail-:qc" style="font-size:0.875rem;margin:15px 0px;clear:both;font-family:"Google Sans",Roboto,RobotoDraft,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"></div><br class="gmail-Apple-interchange-newline"></div>