UC implements last offer to service employees

University of California officials are implementing their last proposal on compensation for members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union, according to a statement released today.

The offer, which will affect about 8,300 UC service employees, does not include any compensation or retirement benefit increases, said Dianne Klein, UC spokeswoman. The offer contains the same benefits that all other UC employees receive, Klein said.

The University said in the statement that it is legally permitted to implement the offer after having exhausted all other options.

“These terms are fair, fiscally responsible, and guarantee our staff quality health care benefits as well as attractive pension and retiree health benefits,” said Dwaine Duckett, UC vice president for systemwide human resources and programs, in a statement released today.

Duckett indicated in the statement that eight other unions have already accepted the UC’s offer.

AFSCME and the University have been in collective bargaining negotiations since October 2012, according to the statement. Retirement contribution rates have been increasing for both UC employees and the University after officials found that the UC Retirement Plan was underfunded.

AFSCME 3299, a chapter of the larger AFSCME union, released a statement the day after the UC’s announcement, expressing outrage at the UC’s move.

“(The) UC is being transformed into a symbol of the widening income gap that is condemning growing numbers of Americans to a life of poverty,” said AFSCME 3299 President Kathryn Lybarger in the statement.

AFSCME 3299 officials said in the statement that many of their members qualify for public assistance and need more benefits and higher wages. Its members have long refused to accept the increased retirement contribution rates that the UC imposed on all University employees.

Compiled by Kristen Taketa, Bruin senior staff.

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