UC-AFT Librarians gathered today at the Berkeley campus for our 18th bargaining session. The Table Team was joined by numerous supporters from four different UC campuses who helped pack our side of the bargaining table. It was a fruitful day as we made progress on several articles. Let’s get to it!
UC-AFT Proposals
Article 12 – Payroll (formerly Dues) Deductions
UC-AFT again proposed that the University, once notified in a timely fashion regarding union dues or other authorized deductions, should make the corrections before the next month’s payroll cycle. And if UC-AFT loses dues because of University errors, the University should reimburse the union. The University returned with a counter proposal that attempts to clarify the circumstances under which the union may be required to pay for programming changes to UC Path based on changes to dues deductions.
Article 32 – Flexible Work Arrangements
In the morning, UC-AFT presented our fifth counter proposal marking continued progress on this article. We clarified language around modifications of flexible work arrangements, affirming that such modifications cannot serve as a substitute to corrective action or a remediation plan. We continue to assert that this article should be grievable. The University returned in the afternoon with a counter proposal largely concurring with the substance of the changes we presented, and agreeing to grievability of timeline-related components of our proposal.
Tentative Agreement: Article 7 – Assignments, Transfers, and Reassignments
We came to an agreement on language in this article, which includes additional provisions for when significant permanent or interim duties are added to a librarian’s assignment. Article 7 now provides the opportunity for review initiators and librarians to have a conversation about the added workload, including start and end dates (when applicable) of additional duties and how the librarian will use their professional judgment to meet the goals of their position. Combined with existing language that librarians should not be subjected to excessive or unreasonable workload demands, our new contract language offers further protections in a time when librarian numbers are dwindling, workloads are expanding, and we are having to do more with far less.
University Proposals
Article 2 – Nondiscrimination
The University proposed some new language in our grievance resolution procedures and accepted some of our proposed language. This language relates to severing grievances where there are claims falling under both this article (and involving the University’s Anti-Discrimination Policy) and under other articles. We were able to return with a counter proposal that attempts to clarify what should happen to grievances under this article that are put into abeyance (a sort of put-on-pause status) pending investigation under the University’s Anti-Discrimination Policy. We proposed that such a grievance can proceed once either the University office determines that a formal investigation will not be conducted, or when the University completes a formal investigation.
Article 29 – Waiver
While the University suggested some significant textual changes to the article, they retained the concepts that we’ve previously proposed. Most of these changes revolve around timelines and the ability for the union to meet and confer with the University regarding instances in which the University proposes systemwide policy changes, or policies and practices that have a significant impact on UC-AFT librarians. Much of our language was accepted and some additional language was proposed by the University as it relates to local policies and procedures. Questions still remain surrounding the intended revisions on APM 360-4 (the definition of librarians) and our contract or potential future APM revision processes. We will continue to press the University on their process and timelines.
Upcoming Bargaining: August 27 on Zoom
We’re coming back for more bargaining very soon. The table team will reconvene for contract negotiations with the University on Tuesday, August 27 at 10am on UC-AFT hosted Zoom. RSVP for the link to join us! We will be presenting proposals on the articles that define us as academic appointees and hopefully receive the University’s economic counters. 🤞 Seeing Zoom packed with all of you UC-AFT librarians and our allies really brings the juice!
In solidarity,
The UC-AFT Unit 17 Table Team
Kendra K. Levine, Bay Area, Chief Negotiator
I-Wei Wang, Bay Area
Timothy Vollmer, Bay Area
Jared Campbell, Davis
Mitchell Brown, Irvine
Xaviera Flores, Los Angeles
Miki Goral, Los Angeles
Joy Holland, Los Angeles
Jerrold Shiroma, Merced
Carla Arbagey, Riverside
Michael Yonezawa, Riverside
Tori Maches, San Diego
Laurel McPhee, San Diego
Jenny Reiswig, San Diego
Kristen LaBonte, Santa Barbara
Alix Norton, Santa Cruz
Tamara Pilko, Santa Cruz
Jess Waggoner, Santa Cruz