UC Postdoctoral Researchers Reach Tentative Deal
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They are some of the smartest people in the nation. Proving just how smart they are, the 6,500 postdoctoral researchers in the University of California (UC) system became union members and negotiated a first-ever union contract even though Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed cutting $2.5 billion from education in his budget proposal.
When they’re not devising strategies to successfully negotiate contracts in tough economic times, these postdocs conduct research on cancer, stem cells, climate change, alternative fuels and many other cutting-edge fields in science and engineering. In fact, UC’s researchers represent some 10 percent of all postdoctoral researchers in the United States.
UC Postdocs Without Contract Year After Choosing UAW
In August 2008, some 5,800 University of California (UC) postdoctoral researchers—”postdocs”—chose to join the UAW. But nearly a year later, they are still without a contract. A recent bargaining update on the Postdoctoral Researchers Organize/UAW (PRO/UAW) website said UC was “stalling and delaying” talks.
Union negotiators told the San Diego Union-Tribune that major issues, including wages, benefits, workload and workers’ rights are still on the table after months of negotiations. A UC spokesman told the paper talks were expected to go on for several more months.
