Articles Discussed:
Article 7: Notice of Intent to Leave - The UCPEA proposed changes to the language that would encourage longer notice periods and open communications around resignations.
Article 19: Employee Files - The UCPEA countered a previous University proposal to make employee files available electronically. UCPEA proposed a timeframe in which the file would be provided upon request. UCPEA also proposed an addition to Article 19 that would create a removal process for disciplinary letters, and would ensure any supervisory notes on performance would be removed from an employee file/supervisory file if not used in the employee’s evaluation.
Article 20: Probationary Employees - The UCPEA proposed reducing probationary periods. The UCPEA also proposed increasing probationary termination notice for all members to four weeks (or pay in lieu thereof), including residence hall directors (who also lose their housing when they are terminated).
Article 41: Representation Rights and Responsibilities - The UCPEA countered a previous University proposal on the maintenance of a salary list, proposing language that would communicate to UCPEA members that the list of UCPEA salaries will be made available through the UCPEA office.
Observer Report:
I was excited to see how many UCPEA members attended as observers in this session. It was my first time observing and the atmosphere was energetic with all of us there. On the other hand, the University had prepared no new proposals for this three-hour session, caucused for 1.5 hours (the maximum is 30 minutes), and ended early due to a lack of new material to discuss. They also rejected most of the UCPEA’s substantive proposals, with little explanation. The University’s participation in this session felt disrespectful not just to the observers, who took time off work (including serious travel time for some of us), but to the UCPEA bargaining team and the membership as a whole. I am grateful to our UCPEA bargaining team, who has worked very hard between sessions, and made time to make substantive progress. Finally, the chairs were really comfy. I can’t speak to all aspects of the accessibility experience, but I do have chronic pain and some mobility limitations. I was anxious about how I would manage a three-hour session with unknown physical accommodations, but the observer area had multiple seating options of varying sizes, most with back and arm supports. There was filtered water and an all-gender restroom easily accessible from the observer area. Caucusing also provided a very laid-back time for moving around if needed (though hopefully in the future, not as much caucusing as we had in this session).
- Jordan McMillan