Schools
UC System Reaches Deal With Clerical Workers
University of California officials say they've reached a tentative agreement on a new five-year contract to cover 11,000 clerical workers.
BAY AREA, CA -- University of California officials said Thursday that they've reached a tentative agreement with the Teamsters union on a new five-year contract that would cover more than 11,000 clerical employees.
They said the contract, if it's ratified by Teamster members, would give the employees an annual 3 percent wage increase totaling 18 percent over the life of the contract, which would expire on March 31, 2022.
"We are pleased to have reached an agreement that maintains competitive wages and benefits for our clerical colleagues and recognizes the important role they play in keeping our campuses and medical centers running
smoothly, UC Vice President for Systemwide Human Resources Dwaine Duckett said in a statement.
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Employees are expected to vote on the tentative agreement soon, UC officials said.
Most employees would get a ratification bonus of $1,200 bonus, according to university officials. However, employees at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory wouldn't be eligible for the bonus because of
U.S. Department of Energy regulations.
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UC officials said the contract calls for a $25 limit on any rate increases to the Kaiser and Health Net Blue and Gold health insurance plans so that lower-salaried employees would be further protected in an ever-changing health care market.
They said the typical UC clerical employee would continue to pay an average of only $32 a month, or $384 per year, for generous health benefits for themselves and their dependents.
UC officials said that's a much smaller amount than average American workers, who pay more than $5,200 per year for less generous health benefits for just themselves.
Employees hired before last July 1, which represent the vast majority of all UC clerical staff, will continue to receive the same retirement benefits they currently do at the same contribution rates, according to university officials.
Employees hired on or after July 1 will have the option to choose either a traditional pension plan or a 401(k)-style plan, whichever fits their preference and needs, UC officials said.
UC and the Teamsters have been negotiating since April 2016.
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