Academic Researcher & Postdoc Contracts
On December 9th, ARs & Postdocs ratified their new contracts. Highlights of the new contracts are below.
Academic Researchers Contract Summary
Academic Researcher Bargaining Tracker
Highlights of the new Academic Researcher contract include:
Compensation that addresses cost of living
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- A typical Academic Researcher will receive 29% in salary increases (between scale and merit increases) over the life of the contract
- An Assistant Project Scientist hired in July 2022 would see their compensation increase by $3,078 by July 2023, by an additional $6,395 by July 2024, and by $19,423 by the end of the contract
- A Junior Specialist hired in July 2022 would see their compensation increase by $5,459 by July 2023; if they continued as an Assistant Specialist their salary would increase by an additional $6,668 by July 2024, and by a total of $20,620 over the life of the contract.
- Longer appointments before the 1st merit review
- 8 weeks of Parental and Family Leave paid at 100%, up from 70% pay
- Better job security: Longer appointments before merit review, and fewer exceptions to 1-year minimum appointments
- All ARs are now eligible to apply for PI status and UC commits to meet with the Union to discuss Bridge Funding Programs at each campus
- New Respectful Work Environment Article including industry-setting protections against abusive conduct and bullying that are fully grievable and arbitable
- Protections for workers with disabilities that go beyond the ADA, guaranteeing interim accommodations while the interactive process is ongoing
- Commitment to implement free transit passes within 3 years, and a commitment to bargain if free passes have not been implemented in that timeframe
- E-bike discounts of at least 15%
- An improved Union Security article to keep our union strong, and a better Grievance and Arbitration process to enforce the contract
Postdoc Contract Summary
Highlights of the new Postdoc contract include:
- Compensation that addresses cost of living
- Most Postdocs will receive a 20-23% salary increase (up to $12,000) by October 2023; over the course of 5 years as a Postdoc at UC, the current lowest paid Postdoc would see a 57% salary increase;
- For 2024-2027: 7.2% annual increase for Postdocs on the scale (3.5% scale increase and 3.7% experience step), 3% annual increase for above-scale Postdocs
- Faster timeline to first experience-based step
- Increase from 4 weeks to 8 weeks of Parental and Family Leave paid at 100% for all Postdocs
- Childcare subsidies that will start at $2,500/annually and increase to $2,800 annually – the first time Postdocs have won a childcare subsidy after 12 years of fighting
- Lengthened initial appointments from 1 year to 2 years to ensure job security and longer visas
- New Respectful Work Environment Article including industry-setting protections against abusive conduct and bullying that are fully grievable and arbitable
- New Immigration Article with guaranteed leave time for immigration appointments and protections if immigration laws change
- Protections for workers with disabilities that go beyond the ADA, guaranteeing interim accommodations while the interactive process is ongoing
- Commitment to implement free transit passes within 3 years, and a commitment to bargain if free passes have not been implemented in that timeframe
- E-bike discount of at least 15%