Striking Workers Appear to Have Reached a Deal
I'm not quite sure why this didn't make bigger news (or did everyone hear about this except me?). Here is the Press Release from the UC Office of the President:

UC REACHES TENTATIVE CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH SERVICE WORKER UNION

University of California officials announced today (Wednesday) that UC has reached a tentative agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees on a new, three-year labor contract for UC's 7,300 service workers...
Once ratified by AFSCME, the agreement will be effective from the date of ratification through Jan. 31, 2008.

Highlights of the agreement include:
Wages: 3 percent across-the-board wage increases, effective Oct. 1, 2005; 3 percent across-the-board increases in year two; and a 4 percent increase in year three of the contract, consistent with the university's budget compact with the governor and subject to final state funding appropriations in each year;

Health benefits: UC will maintain its current salary-based approach to health insurance premiums through 2009;

Professional development and training: Expanded employee development and training resources, including 24 hours per year of paid career development, and the establishment of a labor-management committee to identify career paths and promotional opportunities;

Parking rates: AFSCME-represented employees will receive the same lowest parking rates as other represented staff at the same location with the same parking access.

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