Bargaining Update #6: Major win on workplace accessibility / ULP in UCLA math
At yesterday’s bargaining session in Los Angeles, ASEs (Academic Student Employees) reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) with UC admin on Reasonable Accommodation that will improve workplace accessibility across the state. This is a major victory for disabled members of UAW 4811, and all workers.
And TAs from the UCLA Math Department confronted UC management about an Unfair Labor Practice in their department—our first of this bargaining cycle. View all proposals and get more info at the ASE Bargaining Center here.
ASEs win strong disability accommodations
Yesterday, ASEs tentatively agreed to a new Reasonable Accommodation article with management that improves dramatically on our current contract. Under this TA, a medical diagnosis is not a requirement at any point in the accommodation process. This is now the strongest contract language on disability accommodation in the UC system.
Other improvements in this article include:
a commitment from UC admin to reduce barriers to meeting access needs;
UC admin must provide workers with immediate workplace adjustments during the accommodation process.
ASEs file a ULP over unilateral changes to UCLA Math TA appointments
UCLA Math TAs confronted Admin at yesterday’s session over their department’s punitive decision to unilaterally reduce all TA appointments from 50% to 25%, a massive pay cut resulting in some workers earning as little as $18k per year. Making unilateral changes to ASEs’ working conditions is unlawful, especially while we negotiate over fair pay and job security. In response, ASEs have filed our first Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge of this round of bargaining.
