Unit 18 Bargaining Set to Begin-A Message from Chief Negotiator, Alan Karras

Colleagues:

Bargaining is once again upon us. The entire Unit 18 (Lecturers) contract will be open for the first time since 2003. In preparation for bargaining, Executive Director Karen Sawislak and I will be visiting the campuses throughout November and early December to discuss issues of concern to our members. Click here for the campus by campus meeting schedule.  Once we have completed these meetings, we will begin to formulate our initial proposals to the University; active bargaining should commence in early 2011.

It is not likely that every article will end up being bargained, but a significant number of them will be opened, either by us or by the University. I can imagine that some of these will also be quickly closed, because both sides will quickly come to agreement on language that resolves some tricky issues. But I can also imagine that some other issues--such as salary and benefits-- will take much longer to resolve. The University has never shown itself to be a speedy negotiator. That being said, the existing contract will remain in place until a successor agreement is ratified by MEMBERS of this Union.

Before bargaining begins, we will announce the members of the bargaining team, as well as a plan for regular communication with our members about the discussions at bargaining sessions. Much of our communication will come through membership meetings on the campuses and this website. Both at meetings and on the website, information will only be shared with members--which is a great reason to join UC-AFT.

In addition to the scheduled meetings, we invite you to complete the on-line survey for Unit 18 bargaining, which we hope will allow us to gather a broad spectrum of opinion regarding our unit members' issues and priorities for negotiations.  Follow this link to the survey:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/unit18bargainingsurvey

Please make sure to check back here often and, whenever possible, attend the meetings on your campus.

Alan Karras
UC-AFT V.P. for Grievances
Unit 18 Chief Negotiator
Associate Director and Sr. Lecturer, International and Area Studies, UCB

Schedule of Local Bargaining Meetings