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HR Update; July 18, 2008

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UAW Files Request to Represent Postdocs

On June 30, 2008, the United Auto Workers (UAW) filed a request to represent postdoctoral scholars and fellows at the University of California. The UAW’s request indicates that the union has gathered authorization cards from a majority of postdocs in the potential bargaining unit, which if validated would result in the union being recognized as the exclusive representative of postdocs without the need for an election. At this point, the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) will assess the bargaining unit proposed by the UAW and determine whether the union has gathered sufficient support to be recognized as the postdoc’s exclusive representative without an election. If the union has failed to submit authorization cards from a majority of the postdocs but has submitted cards signed by at least 30 percent of the postdocs, an election will be held to determine whether the UAW will represent the postdocs.

The UAW has proposed a bargaining unit that would be made up of all postdocs in title codes 3252 (Postdoctoral Scholar-Employees), 3253 (Postdoctoral Scholar-Fellows), 3240 (Postgraduate Researcher-FY), 3243 (Postgraduate Researcher-AY State Funds), 3245 (Postgraduate Researcher-Extramural Funds), and 3370 (Visiting-Postdoc). The UAW has proposed that Postdoc Paid Directs (TC 3254) and postdocs at the Lawrence Berkeley National Labs be excluded from the unit. The University will have an opportunity to respond to the proposed composition of the bargaining unit. For now, postdocs in the affected titles have been notified by postings throughout the campus, as well as on the postdoc listserv, of the UAW’s request. 

Now that the UAW’s request has been filed, the University is considered to be in what is known as the Laboratory Period. This period continues until PERB formally rejects the UAW’s petition, or the union is certified as the exclusive bargaining representative and a final contract is bargained. During the Laboratory Period, the University is precluded from making changes in the status quo relating to terms and conditions of employment that could affect the outcome of the election or unit determination. Managers and supervisors continue to have the authority to engage in day-to-day management of operations including the employment of individuals in the potential bargaining unit, assignment of work, performance management, and separation of employees due to work reduction or other factors. 

Questions should be referred to your Labor & Employee Relations Analyst.

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Same-Sex Marriage Benefits

The May 15, 2008 California Supreme Court decision to overturn the law prohibiting same-sex marriages in California now allows same-sex couples to marry and be legally recognized spouses in California. UC will recognize these marriages, and same-sex legal spouses will be eligible for health and welfare benefits at UC. The employee/retiree may add his/her same-sex spouse within 31 days of the marriage.

The University will also continue to provide benefits to same-sex domestic partners under the provisions of the current Group Insurance Regulations. UC does not require couples to now marry in order to retain health and welfare benefits.

Both the UPAY 850 (enrollment form for employees) and the UBEN 100 (enrollment form for retirees) have been updated and are posted on the At Your Service website. The updated forms have separate check-off boxes to distinguish between same-sex spouses and domestic partners. (The standard text in the cover sheet is still being reviewed for needed changes.) The AYSO tool for new hires is in the process of being changed to also reflect these developments. (Because of imputed income requirements, both same-sex marriages and domestic partners will be assigned the relationship code “D”.)

Visit the At Your Service website for more information about these changes, including details about imputed income requirements.

For additional resources, visit the UCSF Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) website.

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START Program Update

The University has now received confirmation from the California Nurses Association (CNA) that nurse employees may participate in the Staff and Academic Reduction in Time (START) program in accordance with departmental approval. For more information about the START program, visit the Office of the President website.

Please direct any questions to Mark Gottas at .

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UC Retirement Readiness Education Programs

As you can see from the reminder below, currently there is a “lull” in the summer-time schedules for the Retirement Readiness Workshops, so now is a good time to contact your Departmental Personnel/Benefits Representative and request to have a workshop in your department.

Otherwise, please pass this on to your colleagues, circulate invitations, post the actual scheduled workshops happening near your location, or re-broadcast these weekly reminders about our valuable (free) education programs for faculty and staff. Bring your lunch, your questions, your spouse/partner ...

Usually there can be at least one (or more) workshop(s) per week scheduled at various UCSF locations around town. For more details and listings for upcoming scheduled presentations, please refer to our Workshops and Presentations Schedules menus found at our local UCSF HR/Benefits website.

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