Looking Back on 2022, Forward to 2023
We are so proud of what we have all been able to accomplish as a Union in 2022, in preparation for the work that we have ahead of us in 2023 and beyond.
As a result of our statewide Organizing Program, we have recruited more than 300 Unit and Workplace representatives, who have taken a proactive role in addressing issues like wages, work load, and career advancement all across the state.
Thanks to their hard work, we have increased our membership by 1,000 workers (10%!) and have created 7 new organizing staff positions to help us to continue to build our capacity and grow our Union. At our Convention in July 2022, delegates voted to expand our Executive Board, adding new seats that will help our Board represent all of you.
Growing our Union
Optometrists became the latest group to join UPTE and the first group to start this process with super-majority membership. Community Health Program Representatives also filed to join UPTE with super-majority membership and have persisted despite strong opposition from the University.
Just last month, we won a settlement of up to 21.5% in raises and back pay for Systems Administrators, who had been denied their Union raises for more than 3 years and continue to fight for fair pay scales. We also won 8% in raises and back pay for Behavioral Health Clinicians, along with a commitment from the University to pay future raises on schedule as we continue bargaining over pay scales.
Thanks to these efforts, those in titles who join UPTE in the future will no longer have to worry about going without the raises that we have already won.
Fighting and winning on issues that matter to you
Among our victories in the last year are:
Market equity increases for Clinical Laboratory Scientists, Genetic Counselors, and Physician Assistants
Career ladders for Pharmacists and Physical Therapists
Reclassifications of Staff Research Associates and Clinical Research Coordinators, building towards our larger goal of improved career progression or researchers
New ergonomic equipment or Clinical Lab Scientists, enforcing paid breaks for Pharmacists, improved staffing for Animal Technicians, and much more
Stopping unfair schedule changes for Clinical Social Workers and removal of workspace for Case Managers, and unfair on-call demands for Aquarium Technicians, and reduction in pay and classification for Physician Assistants
At Mt. San Jacinto College, we won a 6.5% raise with back pay, building important momentum to carry into their on-going full contract negotiations.
At Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, we have waged an extended campaign for mid-year raises that were provided to non-Union employees in an attempt to bust our Union.
In 2022, we took the necessary first steps to make these victories possible and we look forward to building on them in 2023. The work we do next year will be critical to ensuring our 2024 contracts will be the best in UPTE history.
We wish you and your loved ones a happy holiday season and new year!
Dan Russell, President
Ursula Quinn, Vice President
Matias Campos, Executive Vice President
Carole Netter, Treasurer
Matt Stephen, Secretary
