UAPD’s bargaining team and UC management representatives have continued to meet for negotiations toward a first contract that will cover physicians, dentists, and podiatrists at the student health and counseling centers statewide. Unfortunately, after nine negotiation sessions, tentative agreements have been reached on only four basic contract articles, such as non-discrimination in employment. The UAPD team is committed to completing the contract as soon as possible, but it has become increasingly apparent that the UC negotiators are dragging their feet.
Where appropriate contract language is consistently found across other UC unions’ collective bargaining agreements, UAPD has proposed that same language in an effort to reach a fair agreement in a timely way. We have been disappointed that UC has not taken this approach, instead insisting on negotiating the minutiae of every proposal. This is not the approach that employers take when they are seeking to reach a full agreement that respects employees’ value and service.
Recent UAPD proposals include annual paid CME time, reimbursement for CME costs, and a method for Limited Appointment and Contract appointments to convert to Career positions. Given the past few years’ experience with UCOP, the bargaining team has also spent significant time insisting on a regular forum for doctors to give input into the delivery of quality care at each student health center. The disastrous implementation of Point and Click provides a glaring example of the need for such input.
Four bargaining sessions scheduled for May will be held in Oakland, at both UCOP and UAPD headquarters. We anticipate advancing salary proposals at that time. We will continue urging the UC negotiators to pick up the pace, so doctors can have the contract we deserve without undue delay.