(1) RX/TX: Benefits Agreement Ratified
(2) HX: Fixing Unfair Pay
(3) Paycheck Changes: Raises, Benefits And Dues
(4) Millionaires Tax Initiative
(5) Benefits/Pension Information And Survey |
UPTE members in the researcher (RX) and technical (TX) bargaining units have voted overwhelmingly to ratify an agreement that sets up joint committees with UC for our benefits in return for UPTE-represented employees paying the same benefit rates as other employees. Because UC delayed this settlement, UPTE-represented workers will receive a check for $100 to cover the additional pension contributions for July through December.
The committees set up by this agreement on benefits for employees and retirees need your input. Please send your concerns to UPTE at rxtxbenefits@upte-cwa.org. We will consider problems with Health Net coverage, advocating for UC self-insurance, keeping down costs through preventive and wellness health plans, and many other topics. This is our opportunity to be involved in the benefits process before all the decisions are made. Your input will ensure that the process addresses the needs most important to UPTE members.
UC has proposed giving health care (HX unit) employees insultingly low wage increases unless the union agrees to let UC unilaterally determine pension and benefits for the next five years, including creating new “tiers” with lesser benefits. Our bargaining team rejected this blackmail and made clear to UC that we will only settle for contract through June 2013. HX members will work together with other UPTE units and other unions through 2013 to jointly bargain for benefits and pensions.
UPTE’s team made proposals to fix the countless wage inequities suffered by HX employees at UC. These inequities include differences between campus and medical center paid staff, new hires getting paid more than existing staff, some medical centers do not pay based on experience, and substantial pay differences between medical centers.
We will bargain again the week of February 13. We’ll let the medical center CEOs know that HX’ers want fair pay now and don’t want to be held hostage to UC’s push for 2 tier pensions.
- Our February paychecks will reflect many changes that went into effect January 1, 2012. All TX/RX employees will receive a 2%-2.3% step increase if they are not at the top of their pay scale.
- The new benefits premiums went into effect with our January paycheck because benefits are paid in advance for the month. Click here to see the new rates.
- Because all UPTE employees received raises greater than 2%, anyone whose union dues are less than 1.3% of their salary will have their dues increase by up to $5.
If you have any questions or concerns about your pay, contact UPTE right away.
UPTE has joined other unions and community organizations to support a Millionaires Tax Initiative for the November 2012 ballot. This would affect the top 1% of income earners, who make over $350,000 a year. The proposal also imposes an additional 3% tax those who make more than $1 million, and an additional 5% on those who make more than $2 million. The revenue will go to dedicated public services, including higher education.
Without a tax increase to support California’s essential services, lawmakers will be forced to balance the budget by more cuts to education, health care, infrastructure and critical services. Unlike most of the other proposals, this initiative places the tax burden on the super wealthy. Other proposals that increase sales taxes or general income taxes unfairly put more of the burden on working and low-income people.
UPTE wants everyone to understand the new pension tiers that UC has proposed and how they will affect us all. We have launched a one-on-one informational sheet including a survey on how the changes may affect you. If you haven’t received the survey yet, please contact your UPTE local.
We want to hear your input. Participate in the UPTE member forum for more dialogue on UPTE issues. |
The UPTE E-Bulletin is prepared by UPTE-CWA President Jelger Kalmijn. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to write him at president@upte-cwa.org.
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