SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The University of California has reached a tentative contract agreement with the union representing about 4,000 academic researchers, giving them higher wages, benefits and greater protections against sexual harassment in the workplace.
UC’s executive director of labor relations, Peter Chester, said in a statement Monday the tentative three-year deal “recognizes the significant contributions academic researchers make” to the 10-campus system.
The union’s vice president, Neal Sweeney, said academic researchers made progress on issues facing researchers including wages, and the contract gives them the same health and retirement benefits offered to other UC employees of similar salaries.
The agreement offers a salary increase of at least 4 percent in January 2020, and 3 percent increases annual increases from July 2020-22.
Sweeney said the agreement also includes improvements in the policy against harassment and discrimination, such as laying out strict timelines for investigations of claims and new interim measures and job securities for those who file claims.
Academic researchers, who are represented by the United Auto Workers 5810, include scientists and specialists who conduct research ranging from new cures for cancer to clean energy and other areas that are key to the UC’s almost $6 billion in annual research revenue, the union said.
Members will vote on the agreement Friday.
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