Bargaining Report #30 edit

UC Switches Tactics

This was prior to the October 21 - 22, 2009 bargaining sessions with the CUE and UC bargaining teams at Mission Bay, here at UCSF. During the first meeting on October 21, the University chief negotiator reiterated his request for CUE to stipulate in a declaration to PERB that CUE and UC are at impasse.

The CUE bargaining team refused to do so. CUE chief negotiator, Amatullah Alaji-Sabrie, pointed out to Mr. Chester that the University had not responded to proposals CUE has presented and, additionally, had just recently provided CUE with information requested over one year ago on proposed medical premium information on October 5, 2009 and partial financial information on October 19, 2009. Additionally, the University has begun to provide critical information requested since CUE filed a complaint with PERB against the University in September 2009.

H1N1 Vaccines
The morning session continued with an extensive discussion regarding CUE's proposal on vaccinations. The proposal was given during the Santa Cruz sessions in response to the policy announced at two of the UC medical centers requiring hospital personnel opting to not receive the H1N1 vaccination place red dots on their identification badges, wear face masks, and face the threat of disciplinary action for not complying with this policy.

To date, the vaccine has not yet been made available to medical center
personnel.

UC's Last, Best and Final Proposal
In caucus, CUE discussed two contract articles in depth. The University team worked on what they called their "last, best and final proposal."

On day 2, Thursday, CUE got the University's "last, best, and final offer." CUE tried to clarify and question the University team's intent on the contract language of the articles contained in the package proposal. Then the CUE team called for a caucus to craft two information requests relevant to the University proposal, and finalize additional proposals for two articles, Article 16 (Medical Separation) and Article 23 (Parking and Transportation) to give to the University.

Bargaining in a vacuum
The new information requests, along with the two CUE contract articles, were given to the University team near the end of the second day's session. Proposed dates for additional sessions were again given to the University team. The University proposal, from the perspective of CUE's chief negotiator, cannot be considered a best or final proposal. We expect PERB to concur.

CUE's chief negotiator reiterated CUE's opposition to the University declaration of impasse¹ and to their bad-faith bargaining tactics, which have stalled negotiations thus far.

UC timeworn tactics: Delay and Obfuscate
The University has acknowledged its obligation to bargain the effects of the scheduled temporary layoffs and the curtailment period. These negotiations may prove critical in overcoming the obstacles encountered in the negotiations of the salary reduction/furlough plan. CUE awaits the University's confirmation of the next bargaining sessions on the November dates set aside for that purpose.

Lunch at China Basin
On Thursday, October 22, CUE bargaining team members attended a luncheon with members of the San Francisco jurisdiction to answer questions about the current negotiations, especially negotiations on the salary reduction/furlough plan. The team members who attended welcomed the opportunity to explain the decision to reject the salary reduction/furlough plan, as offered by the University.

CUE members and staff also attended as observers on both days of the bargaining sessions. The next sessions are scheduled for Northern California locations. A notice of the dates and locations will be sent to the jurisdiction. Employees are encouraged to attend.

Proposed University medical health premiums for the available medical plans are posted on the CUE website at:
2010 Medical Benefit Summary
¹IMPASSE defined