UC REACHES CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH POLICE; COOPERATION AND GOOD WILL CITED AS REASONS FOR SPEEDY SETTLEMENT

The University of California has signed a new employment contract with the Federated University Police Officer Association for UC's more than 200 police officers, officials announced today (Thursday, Nov. 21).

"UC police officers do a tremendous job for the entire university community and we're very happy to have reached an agreement that we believe recognizes their quality service," said Judith W. Boyette, associate vice president for human resources and benefits.

As with most negotiations, wages were a central issue in the contract talks. The new contract provides for a 1.5 percent general salary increase effective Oct.1, 2002, and location-specific increases in response to local market conditions.

UC officials said contract talks were concluded in just six weeks due to the collaborative approach and goodwill that both sides brought to the negotiations.

"We greatly appreciate the professionalism that the union's chief negotiator and campus representatives brought to each bargaining session and their commitment to resolving differences collaboratively," said Peter M. Chester, UC's chief negotiator. "That kind of cooperation and partnership makes a big difference."

The new comprehensive contract will be in effect until Sept. 30, 2005. As is customary, the contract will be closed on all issues except wages and a few select items, which the parties will revisit once each year until the full contract is renegotiated in 2005.

For more information about these negotiations or labor relations at UC, please visit: http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/employees/policies/labor_relations/index.html.

# # #