Bargaining Update

University of California

UPTE-CWA Local 9119 Healthcare, Research, and Technical members went on a one-day Unfair Labor Practice strike last week in response to UC's moves to secretly outsource UPTE-CWA members' work while they are working without a contract, which is illegal.

UC plans to eliminate nearly 40 jobs at a new rehab center in Davis by contracting out work to a "joint venture" with for-profit Kindred Healthcare. UPTE-CWA has also recently learned of UC's plans to outsource $56 million in IT services across all five UC Medical Centers, including UPTE-CWA members' work, as well as a plan authorizing the outsourcing of more than $150 million of clinical, non-clinical, and IT jobs at the Medical Centers.

In February, UC presented UPTE-CWA with their so-called "last, best, and final offer" for Research and Technical members, which contains unnecessary and unacceptable cuts including eliminating step increases for pay, no daily overtime or protections for full-time work, putting pension benefits in jeopardy by pushing new hires to choose a risky 401(k), and more. The offer would also limit the right to file a grievance in cases of sexual harassment and sexual violence.

UC executives recently announced that they would be forcing their proposals on 10,000 Research and Technical workers immediately, with some terms taking effect June 1. However, this imposition is not the end. UPTE-CWA members will continue to fight for a fair contract at UC.

UPTE-CWA Local 9119 Healthcare, Research, and Technical members went on a one-day Unfair Labor Practice strike in response to UC's moves to secretly outsource UPTE-CWA members' work while they are working without a contract.

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Envoy Air

The CWA Envoy Air bargaining team met with a federal mediator this week in Dallas on Monday and Tuesday. During the opening session, the team shared 2,000 signatures from agents at more than 40 stations on a petition demanding higher wages and a fair contract to show the company and the mediator that agents across the system are united. 

Although the CWA bargaining team brought a complete package of proposals to Envoy in April, the company did not have a complete package of proposals or responses, leading to the cancellation of the third day of mediation. This lack of respect for the bargaining process and Envoy's dedicated employees is simply unacceptable. The mediator made it clear that he expects both parties to come to future meetings fully prepared and ready to make progress and negotiate. Mediation will resume in Pittsburgh from June 18-20.  

As the mediation process began, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), gave a boost to Envoy workers' efforts by sending a letter to American Airlines CEO Doug Parker urging the company to provide increased wages and improved benefits for Envoy Passenger Service Agents. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) has been directly urging the company to bargain a fair contact. Read the letter here.