FAQs for new UPTE members at UC’s recently acquired hospitals

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As you and your colleagues at transition into your new employment with the University of California, we are sure you have a lot of questions and perhaps some concerns. The good news is you aren't in this alone. 

As part of this transition, you are joining 20,000 UC workers as members of our union, University Professional & Technical Employees (UPTE). We represent licensed healthcare practitioners who provide clinical and medical services at UC's medical and student health centers, research staff who advance science for the common good in UC's laboratories, and the diverse range of professionals who provide the technical expertise to make UC's healthcare, research, and academic work possible.

UPTE is committed to ensuring your rights, working conditions, and wages are protected at every step. We'll be sharing more information and scheduling in-person meetings in the coming weeks to answer more questions. Please find some frequently asked questions below or click here to read a welcome letter from UPTE.

  • We represent a broad range of licensed healthcare titles. These include Clinical Lab Scientists, Pharmacists, Rehab (PT/OT/SLP), Dietitians, Physician Assistants, IT Workers, RN Case Managers, Social Workers, Medical Interpreters, Audiologists, Clinical Research Coordinators, Staff Research Associates, Psychologists/Counseling Titles, Genetic Counselors, Nuclear Medicine Techs, Optometrists, Cytotetchs, and more.

  • UC has agreed to the following:

    1) There will be no reductions in pay rates for any new UPTE members.

    2) Step placement on the wage scale will be commensurate with standard UC Health practices. If any individuals or job classes should be placed at a higher step based on regular UC Health practices, a process will be in place to challenge inequitable wage step placement.

    3) UPTE will host information sessions on paid work time in May at each location to provide more information.

  • UC unions successfully pushed for all incoming employees to receive a $750 sign-on bonus. In July, all UPTE members will receive a three-percent raise, except for those individuals who are above the current scale, who will receive a lump-sum payment.

  • Your previous Tenet years of service will count toward your vacation accruals. Your previous hire date will also count for seniority and layoff protection purposes.

  • There are several. As UPTE members at UC, you receive a defined benefit pension in which career employees vest after five years of service. The University of California Retirement Plan is two-and-a-half times years of service equals the percentage of the highest three years of pay at 60 years of age. There are also limits on annual increases to health insurance premiums and limits to UC’s ability to “flex” off-staff.

  • Our contracts for the Healthcare Professionals (HX), Research Support (RX), and Technical Employee (TX) bargaining units can be found here.

  • The current contracts for the Research Support (RX) and Technical Employees (TX) bargaining units expire on October 31, 2024, while the Healthcare Professionals (HX) bargaining unit contract expires on September 30, 2024. Contract negotiations for new UPTE contracts begin June 11. All UPTE members will have a vote on the new contracts.

  • Fill out your UPTE membership form here.

For more information, contact your local leadership and staff.