Updates on Local Bargaining for Employment Contracts, Berkeley Lab

January 27, 2005

CUE (CX)

While a wage agreement for CX employees has not been reached, discussions are continuing. The Lab presented its final proposal for a three-year wage agreement last week with money for merit increases, posted promotions, reclassifications and individual equity adjustments. This proposal has been rejected by CUE, but the Lab and CUE will meet again in early February in an effort to resolve remaining differences and reach agreement.

UPTE (RX/TX)

Tentative agreement was reached on a new three-year local wage proposal providing for money for merit increases and additional funds for posted promotions, reclassifications and individual equity adjustments for both the RX and TX units. UPTE members will be voting on whether to ratify the FY05 wage package within the next few weeks.

AFSCME (SX)

A mutual agreement on a new local wage agreement for Lab employees has not yet been reached.   The Lab proposed a final three-year wage agreement providing for merit or performance-based pay increases.   The Lab is prepared to negotiate a higher percentage for pay increases if the union can agree to a pay-for-performance approach.  The Laboratory understands AFSCME's reluctance about pay for performance; therefore, it was proposed that the Laboratory work with the employees to develop a performance evaluation tool that will be specific to the different Lab AFSCME-represented classifications.

At the request of AFSCME, the Laboratory   presented a final proposal for a one-year across-the-board wage agreement for FY05 that contains a smaller percentage wage increase for Lab employees than the pay-for-performance proposal.

Both Lab proposals have been rejected by AFSCME.  The Laboratory will continue to negotiate in good faith with AFSCME . 

Skilled Trades (KB)