During CX Unit contract negotiations March 17-18, our Bargaining Team reached tentative agreements (TA) on Article 1: Access Union Rights, Article 25: Payroll Deductions and Article 31: Reasonable Accommodations.
The teams discussed Article 45: Wages and adding steps to the top of the current ranges, which would bring all classifications to a minimum of 18 steps, the UC team focused on limiting wages to “market value,” claiming the UC is paying market value or above for CX positions.
Market value or not, the reality is that most CX employees cannot afford to live in the city where they work. Most have to juggle rent, utilities, putting food on the table, and needed healthcare or commute long distances to their job. Our Teamsters Local 2010 team presented management with a history of CX Unit wages, a list of titles that are currently paid less than $25 an hour to comply with increases ordered under recent Teamsters-backed legislation and proposals for additional steps for titles with fewer than 17 salary steps.
There was also discussion on parking. Our team wants workers to be reimbursed in cases where members are paying for parking and there are no spots available. UC’s lead negotiator stated that, “Parking is not guaranteed when you buy a permit. You are paying for an opportunity to park.” Our Teamsters team pushed back on this new idea and made clear that it is the UC’s responsibility to provide parking and related services, including replacement parking when there is construction or special events. Parking is expensive and should either be available or the cost reimbursed when it’s not available.
“From the moment I started working for UC Merced, I was shocked to find out that I had to pay to park where I work. I came from Merced Community College, and they gave all staff and faculty a yearly parking permit, even those without a driver’s license. It is ridiculous to charge employees for parking.”
Jennifer Carrero
CX Unit Bargaining Team Member
UC Merced Early Childhood Education Center
Proposals or counterproposals were also discussed on Article 1: Access Union Rights, Article 25: Payroll Deductions, Article 13: Layoff and Reduction in Time, Article 16: Medical Separation, Article 23: Parking, Appendix G: Parking Rates, and Article 31: Reasonable Accommodations.
Statewide, many CX workers at UC medical centers are still being refused the $100 per month stipend for bilingual skills, and we are trying to expand the language to include bilingual pay for campus-based workers providing these essential skills. Please sign our petition at the button link below and participate in our upcoming Bilingual Blackout Days. Weekly Bilingual Blackout Days will be held during the month of April, on April 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29.
During the UC Board of Regents March 17-18 meetings, Teamsters Local 2010 President Catherine Cobb CX Unit Bargaining Team member from UC Path Ray Gomez, as well as members from Venice Family Clinics/UCLA Health and UC Merced urged board members to enhance UC’s current benefits proposal and direct UC management to properly implement the bilingual pay stipends negotiated into our current CX Unit contract. Healthcare costs need more predictability so workers can make ends meet and workers should be compensated extra for their vital bilingual skills that they bring to the UC community.
Further negotiations are scheduled for April 7-8, May 12-14 and May 27-28.
Join Weekly Bilingual Black Out Days in April!
We’re calling for weekly Bilingual Blackout Days for CX Teamsters during the month of April on April 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. We know that our language skills are essential and deserve proper pay. Don’t be fooled by the UC; if bilingual skills are not a requirement in your job description or you are not being paid for your bilingual work, don’t do it.
Get your Bilingual Blackout Day sticker from your Union Representative or steward!
On April 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29:
- No translating at the counter or over the phone!
- No interpreting for supervisors or departments!
- No rewriting documents into a second language!
- No answering emails requiring bilingual communication!
We negotiated bilingual pay into our Teamsters contract. If UC wants to use your bilingual skills, they must pay for it. If UC asks you to interpret and bilingual skills is NOT a job requirement and you are not receiving a bilingual stipend, then you have the right to refuse. You have the right to demand to be paid the bilingual stipend!
Our CX Unit Bargaining Team
