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

    • 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

      Postdoc Bargaining Tracker

       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%