University of California researchers vote to ratify first union contract

University of California’s academic scientists voted late last week to ratify a contract for such researchers. This first-in-the-country union — called Academic Researchers United — has almost 5,000 members across the University of California system, people who are not faculty, post-docs or graduate students. The union reached a tentative agreement with UC earlier this month after five months of bargaining, and researchers overwhelmingly voted to ratify the agreement in a 2,450-53 vote. The three-year contract includes several components in favor of the scientists, including increased compensation — the average raise will be 18% over the contract period, but researchers can expect up to 24% in wage increases. Also in the new contract: improved job security to ensure longer guaranteed appointments and protection from unfair termination, as well as a new procedure to deal with claims of discrimination and harassment.