September 27, 2007

THE POSTDOC CONTRACT BETWEEN UNION & UCONN HEALTH CENTER

Do you know that Uconn Health center PostDoc unionization helped the postdocs to improve their postdoc experience, their life and their science better, these are the proudest postdocs in US. Here is the latest contract they have signed, and you can read the full details of the contract. It is signed by the postdocs through the local University Health Professionals (a union affiliated with AFL-CIO) and the Uconn Health center, the employer.

Ok, go ahead and compare your institute's policies, benefits and greatness with the UCONN Health Center, do your home work to find who is the best?, hope this helps lot of postdocs sitting on the fence to not know which side to jump to get some clear ideas?.

"An ambiqous mind is no better than a mind that is ceased to function"
quote by Dr.Muni, 09-26-2007




CONTRACT


Between
THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HEALTH CENTER



and

UNIVERSITY HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
LOCAL 3837 AFT/AFT-CT/AFL-CIO
July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2010



Article 1
RECOGNITION

1.1 The State of Connecticut through the Board of
Trustees for the University of Connecticut Health Center,
Farmington, (hereinafter known as the Employer) recognizes
the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, (hereinafter
known as the Union) as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent
for the purposes of establishing salaries, hours and other
conditions of employment for the professional employees on
the regular payroll in the bargaining unit which excludes per
diem employees, University Hospital Resident Physicians and
Dentists, Graduate Assistants, Faculty, and
Managerial/Confidential Exclusions as defined in C.G.S. 5-270.



1.2 The Board of Trustees reserves its right under the
State Collective Bargaining Statute, Section 5-270 to exclude
additional positions which are or which may become managerial
during the life of this contract. Such exclusions shall be made
in accordance with the process delineated in the Memorandum
of Agreement regarding management exclusions.



1.3 The Department of Human Resources shall send
to the Union every six months a list of all individuals and their
titles who are managerial or confidential exclusions.



1.4 Whenever in this Agreement eligibility for a
benefit is premised on an employee’s having an assignment
authorization of fifty (50) percent or more (such as but not
necessarily limited to personal leave, tuition waiver, payment
for jury duty, disability insurance):



a. The employee must actually be paid the
percentage of time specified in the assignment authorization.



b. The assignment authorization must be in effect
for sixty (60) days. Therefore, an employee whose assignment
authorization is increased from below fifty (50) percent to fifty
(50) percent or more shall not be eligible for the benefit until the
assignment authorization has been in effect for sixty (60) days;
an employee whose assignment authorization is decreased, shall
not have such benefits reduced or eliminated until the reduction
has been in effect for sixty (60) days. In the case of benefits



2
which coincide with the calendar month, the change shall take
place on the first of the month which follows a period of 60
days or a major portion thereof.
The above does not apply to vacation, sick leave
and seniority. Sick leave and vacation shall continue to be
prorated as specified in the Agreement. Seniority shall continue
to be prorated based on assignment authorization percentage.
An employee’s previously accrued leave shall
not be increased or decreased as a result of a change in
assignment authorization; however, eligibility for leave and/or
the rate of accrual shall be modified as provided in Section 1.4.
With respect to personal leave:



a. An employee shall lose personal leave time
accrued upon a decrease of assignment authorization to below
fifty (50) percent.



b. An employee whose assignment authorization is
increased to fifty (50) percent or more shall receive pro rata
personal leave.



Article 2
CHECK-OFF

2.1
a. Employees who join the Union shall pay dues
and initiation fees (if applicable) in accordance with the terms
of this Article.




b. Employees who do not join the Union shall pay
agency fees in accordance with the terms of this Article.




c. Compliance with Article 2.1a and 2.1b is a
condition of employment.




d. The Health Center may deduct contributions in
the amount specified from the gross paycheck of each person in
the unit who authorizes in writing payments to fund-raising
drives sponsored by the Health Center.



3
2.2 The Employer shall deduct from the biweekly
wages Union dues and initiation fee, or agency fees, as
established by the Union. Such deductions will begin no later
than the first pay period following the completion of the
employee's first thirty (30) days of employment. The initiation
fee shall be paid in five (5) consecutive biweekly installments.






2.3 An employee who fails to become a member of
the Union, or an employee whose membership is terminated for
non-payment of dues; or who resigns from membership shall be
required to pay an agency service fee under Section 2.4.



2.4
a. Employees who do not join or who terminate
their membership in the Union shall be required to pay agency
fees equivalent to and on the same basis as the applicable union
dues and initiation fees.



b. The Employer shall deduct agency fees
equivalent to and on the same basis as dues and initiation fees
from employees who do not join the Union. The Union shall
publish its procedures for reimbursing to non-members that part
of the agency fee deducted for purposes not related to collective
bargaining, contract administration and grievance adjustment.



2.5 Should an employee's status change from parttime
to full-time, or from full-time to part-time, the amount of
Union dues or agency service fee shall change accordingly.



2.6 The amount of dues or agency service fee
deducted under this Article shall be remitted to the Union as
soon as practicable after the payroll period in which the list of
employees for whom any such deduction is made. Each month
the Employer shall give to the Union a list of employees who
have paid dues or fees for that month.



2.7 No payroll deduction of dues or agency service
fee shall be made from workers’ compensation or for any
payroll period in which earnings received are insufficient to
cover the amount of deduction, nor shall deduction be made
from subsequent payrolls to cover the period in question.



4
2.8 The Employer shall continue its practice of
payroll deductions as authorized by employees for purposes
other than payment of union dues or agency services fees,
provided any such payroll deduction has been approved by the
Employer in advance.



2.9 The Employer agrees to furnish the Union each
month with the names of newly hired employees.
a. Reports and computer runs developed
specifically for the Union will be furnished at the going rate.



2.10 Union dues shall not be deducted for any other
employee organization.



2.11 The Employer shall deduct contributions in the
amount specified from the gross paycheck of each person in the
unit who authorizes contributions to the Union's Political Action
Fund. The Union will hold the Health Center harmless and
indemnify it from any claims, actions or proceedings resulting
from this deduction.



2.12 The Employer assumes no obligation, financial
or otherwise, arising out of the provisions of this Article, and
the Union hereby agrees that it will indemnify and hold the
Employer harmless from any claims, actions or proceedings
hereunder. Once the funds are remitted to the Union, their
disposition thereafter shall be the sole and exclusive obligation
and responsibility of the Union.



Article 3
NONDISCRIMINATION

3.1 The provisions of this Agreement shall be
applied equally to all employees in the bargaining unit without
discrimination as to age, sex, marital status, race, color,
religious creed, national origin, sexual orientation, physical
handicap unrelated to job performance, or membership or
participation in any employee organization, or any other
characteristic protected by law.



3.2 All references to employees in
Read the full contract details at the above or following link:


Uconn Health center: http://www.uchc.edu/
University Health Professionals: http://ct.aft.org/uhp3837/



September 15, 2007

Why I like Union?:-

Leslie Madsen Brooks writes about union and how she is such a strong pro-union person...!

Before I get to the teachers' union news, you should know: I grew up in a union family and I'm unabashedly pro-union. Here's why: Mom and Dad were each members of at least three unions: the national, state, and local teachers' unions. They walked the picket lines and Dad even appeared in the newspaper chanting at a school board meeting. During the tenures of California governors George Deukmejian and Pete Wilson, we experienced some lean, if not uncomfortable, times in our household. Mom and Dad argued frequently about money, and I learned the importance of having a strong union and group of negotiators to maintain our household and our annual modest camping trips around California and neighboring states.

The Under Represented Woman in Academina: Postdocs and Woman issues!

Kendall Powell of Nature.com writes about how badly woman are represented in the academia in this July 4th special report.


Special Report
NaturejobsPublished online: 4 July 2007; doi:10.1038/nj7149-098a
Beyond the glass ceiling
Women and under-represented minorities are earning historically high numbers of science doctorates in the United States. So why aren't they making it to the professorial ranks? Kendall Powell investigates.
Kendall Powell

If academia is to offer varied role models and perspectives for a diverse population of students, it must become more welcoming to women and ethnic minorities, leaders of diversity efforts say. Industry has already learned the value of diversity. In a 2003 amicus brief in support of the University of Michigan's affirmative-action admissions policies, 65 Fortune 500 firms argued that efforts to increase diversity improve innovation, productivity and global competition.Women and minorities suffer from the effects of isolation once they enter the upper ranks of academia. Both groups perceive academia as an unfriendly environment, and both suffer from an implicit bias against them in the hiring process.For women, the clash of their biological clock with the tenure clock, along with the effort of balancing work and family duties, is a huge barrier to advancing up the academic ladder. For minorities, financial and geographical constraints make academia a less attractive choice than industry. Attempts to remove barriers and to mend holes in the pipeline have met with mixed success.

Biological News-EVO -Karma, a POSTDOC BLOGGER!

The life of a postdoc.
Being a can be bloody hard. Not knwoing what will be next andwhether there will even be a next job is probably the most depressingthing. Funding is never easily obtained even though postdocs are thebackbone of research these days. It seems that the number of PhDscontinues to increase, whereas the faculty positions for us to go intohave not. link
I think that a revolution in the way academia is run is desperatly needed.First, I would suggest that some security is provided to postdocs, bythat I mean a salary provided by the government so that postdocs cancontinue working until they are awarded a grant or fellowship. Thiswould save us from claiming unemployment and at the same time give usthe financial support we need to continue our work.








Evo-Karma
All about the good, the bad and the ugly things in life but mainly stuff about evolution, diversity of life, life forms and morphogenesis, phylogenies, trees and insects. Lots of biological news and comments. Cool discoveries of new species etc...

Blogger NOMoreMalletrivia Writes about Postdocs Plight?

THIS IS AN EFFORT TO EDUCATE, UNITE AND VOICE FOR THE POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS/POSTDOCS IN USA. ALL TEH POSTDOCS AND POSTDOC WELLWISHERS ARE WELLCOME TO CONTRIBUTE AND POST YOUR MESSAE HERE.

GOOD LUCK.

Postdocs are highly-trained professionals ...
Highly trained at avoiding the real world, that is, at least according to a report on a series of reports about postdocs that I just read. As I've said before, I just don't get why people would be content to spend 5+ extra years in school beyond their undergrad degree to get a PhD, start a postdoc appointment at about $38K/year [on average], stay a postdoc for 5 years [on average] and then have a 15% chance of getting a tenure-track faculty position. And, despite these dismal stats, over a third of postdocs are apparently "pretty set" on their plan of working in a research university.Are all these people wearing rose-tinted, high-optimism-inducing, reality-distorting glasses ? It seems like they're victims of some form of brainwashing that induced the unshakeable belief that the only pleasant work environment is in academia, or that you can only do good science in academia, or that only second-rate people end up in industry, or a bunch of other similarly nonensical ideas.Sure seems like a lot of these postdocs are scientists capable of considering alternative hypotheses, except when it comes to important things, like their own lives ...

http://alexmallet.blogspot.com/2005/05/postdocs-are-highly-trained.html

Featured Post

Univerisity of Washington PostDocs Forming Union- Latest University PostDocs to Unionize!

University of Washington, yet another top notch higher education/research institute known for an impressive history and record setting, rig...

UC System & the Number of PostDocs?

How many PostDocs work at the UC system, this is one of the largest PostDoc group in US and probably in the world, what happens here can be a great event!. When things said and done on the PostDoc unionization, they will join the only Unionized PostDocs, the Uconn Health center Postdocs. Here is the latest numbers from the UC postdoc society website?

Postdocs in Numbers
UC Berkeley 1150
UC Davis 800
UC Irvine 344
UC Los Angeles 1110
UC Merced 20
UC Riverside 200
UC Santa Barbara 300
UC Santa Cruz 148
UC San Diego 907
UC San Francisco 1100
Total 6059

The above numbers are approximate and were correct to within 10 in
March 2008.


NeuroMonitoring- My Professional Blog

Subscribe to Neuromonitoring Companies in USA by Email

Academic Productivity, a Blog about Academia???

Academics salaries lower than automobile industry worker salary?

Though, a comparision between an academician and a autoworker is not the right choice to do a salary or work related benefits, it certainly brings an issue of importance. What exactly academic people get as a benefits is a daunting task?. Read further about the disparity of salary for academicians and the following thoughtful comments by readers of the blog.


From Mark J. Perry’s blog, I just learned that the average UAW worker with a high school degree earns 57.6% more compensation than the average university professor with a Ph.D. Considering that there are plenty of academic positions that do not enjoy the average salary mentioned in the blog post, this is something to worry about. Average Postdoc salaries according to the NSF are nowhere closer to this figure, and you have to add the uncertainty of these positions (they are always short-term) and mobility demands (expect to move to a different university sooner or later). And of course, academic work longer hours and suffer a lot more psychological stress than car factory workers.

PostDocs Out There!

What PostDocs Favor?

Postdocs favor top biomedical research institutes
Several of the world's top biomedical research institutes--including a couple run by biopharma giants--have made this year's list of the best places for postdocs to work. The annual ranking by The Scientist for the U.S. includes the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (4); U.T.'s M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (5); Genentech (6); the Fox Chase Cancer Center (7) and the Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research (15). Among the top international institutions ranked, the University of Cambridge in the UK jumped from 9th to first place, largely because of their focus on professional training.
The survey found that institutions which consistently rank at the top of the heap are noted for their ability to listen to postdocs' concerns "about uncertain career opportunities, work/life balance, and the need for first-rate professional development."

Some Science this Week?

cow pic LATEST HIGHLIGHT
Population genetics: Rich pastures for cattle genomics
Nature Reviews Genetics
1 April 2008
Two recent papers show how genomics approaches that are applied widely in humans can be put to use in an important livestock species. This Research Highlight discusses these advances — a new method for identifying large numbers of SNPs in cattle, and the use of SNP-based mapping to study inherited disorders in this species.

Interesting Little Piece on Diversity &

From Nature.com, Postdoc Journal

I'm an alien

Jon Yearsley is a senior postdoc in evolutionary genetics at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.

Finding refuge in my science.

"Naturalisations en masse, STOP," is one of the more startling political posters that I pass as I cycle into work. The poster shows that the rights of foreigners are once more up for debate. This reminds me that I, as a Brit, am an alien in this European society.

When it comes to my research, the environment is as familiar as a decent pint of English ale and BBC Radio 4. The culture of science is truly international, and interesting research is exciting in any language. At the last count, my department was home to 18 nationalities, making it almost as diverse as the flowers in a Swiss alpine meadow. And rather than this turning into a Tower of Babel, science is done, null hypotheses are refuted, papers are published and impact factors are recorded.

My research gives a welcome dose of the familiar in what can sometimes be an unfamiliar culture. I wasn't brought up with alpine cows, wrapping my lips around french vowels or trying the odd yodel. The unfamiliar is fun, but I'm glad that my habitual pursuit, science, is an important one. Arguably, scientific method crosses national boundaries. I like to think that even a bug-eyed alien postdoc from a distant planet would find some common currency with earthling academics.

PostDocs Union: New Minimum Ssalary: $37, 740!!

SALARY AND STIPEND LEVELS

UCSF Graduate Division

Current University of California Office of the President, UCSF Graduate Division, and UCSF Graduate Council policies require that postdoctoral scholars receive a minimum compensation equal to $37,400 (effective October 1, 2009). This salary level was established by the UC Office of the President and was consistent with the NIH salary scale at time of announcement. [IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AGREEMENT REACHED WITH PRO/UAW, THE NEW MINIMUM SALARY FOR POSTDOCS WILL BE $37,740 AS OF 9/1/10. SEE THE UCOP WEBSITE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. PLEASE CONTACT THE UCSF POSTDOC OFFICE IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS. (jeannine.cuevas@ucsf.edu or christine.desjarlais@ucsf.edu; ph 514-4852)]

UC PostDoc Union Proposal, now Public Document, Read it at the Link?

The union has been working to put together proposal to bring to the University. There was an election for the initial proposal ratification that passed in December. The union and the University have now exchanged proposals which are now public documents: 

(http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/employees/policies_employee_labor_relations/ne
ws_events/0901-heera_notice_px.html). 

There will be opportunity for public comment on these proposals (on both sides) Jan 20th at the UC administration building in Oakland, and also Feb 3rd. Laura encouraged PD to attend and comment. The first bargaining meeting between the union and the University will be held Feb 5th and 6th. The union will be conducting bargaining surveys over the next couple of months to get PD input, however PD must sign a card to give input. They are also conducting campus working conditions surveys to collect information on good and bad practices. The union will also be seeking authorization to go on strike if necessary during the bargaining process. This will be done through an election, no date has been set. PD who would like more information or have questions can contact Laura. Chair’s note: Laura confirmed that signing a card to give input does NOT enroll a person

PostDocs in Canada Unionize, win Union Battle?

Western’s Postdocs Win Union Battle
Postdoctoral associates at the University of Western Ontario will soon be bargaining a collective agreement as the latest in a growing number of postdocs that are unionizing at universities across North America.Western’s administration oppos­ed the union move, arguing that postdocs at the London campus were independent contractors who didn’t meet the legal definition of em­plo­­yees. The issue went before the On­­tario Labour Relations Board that ruled in favour of the more than 200 workers, certifying the Pu­blic Service Alliance of Ca­nada as their bargaining agent on Sept. 30.

PostDocs in India

How often you hear about PostDocs in general, and how often you hear news about PostDocs in India or China?. Which brings a question?, are there PostDoc jobs in India and China?. PostDocs in these countries is relatively a new development, remember the first time PostDoc was introduced in USA during 1870's, it was such a luxury, it was used to gain some special expertise to expand once background and it was not necessary to have a PostDoc in order to get a Job in Academia or in other arena's?. This is not the case today, it became so important to have PostDoc experience to get a decent job, and may be more than a couple of PostDoctoral position and even after such a prolonged procrastination in Academia, there are huge number of PostDocs life is a treacherous one?.... If this is the case in USA, just imagine in India and China?. PhD holders from India and China used to migrate in huge numbers to US, the conditions of PostDocs got gradually worsened in terms of salary, benefits, child care and future career opportunities, it became like a Slavery in Academia?.
PostDoc Salary is the most debated issue of all of a postdoc's life. So much happened in the past 10 years to PostDoc activities in US. The most profound activity was the postdoc unionization of the Uconn Health Center, followed by the unionization by the largest Postdoc campus in US or perhaps in the world the University of California campuses.
No one knows how terrible could be the postdoc conditions in developing poor nations like India and China, but there is certainly no information about many European, African, Asian and South American nations. Most of the postdoc data available thus far are from US, Canada, UK and the rest of the world's postdoc data is simply redundant?.
Two of the most important countries to watch for postdocs concern or PostDoc plights are India and China, these two nations alone bulk produce two- thirds of the PostDoc pool of this world, while most of them used to move out to either west, Europe or Australia, the trend is changing, more Indians look for the green pastures right there in India, I believe the same applies to Chinese youngsters.
But, is the Indian govt or higher education bodies do their jobs to keep postdocs career equitable and respectable?.
The answer is no, there is not even a body to monitor the welfare of postdocs, at least in US, there is NIH standard and there is the National Science Foundation and various other bodies that influence policy making for postdocs. On top of All the above the new found awareness of PostDocs in US catapulted by UCONN PostDocs after they Unionized? Their unionization is greatly helping a sea change in postdocs plight. Hope the postdocs in India and China watch and learn some lessons and start tightening the policy making to benefit the postdocs....!
So, what is happening to PostDocs in India, I could not find much news, but the Nature forum has a little bit of discussion going on......

This is a public forum

Postdoc Salary in India

Saturday, 21 Feb 2009 18:36 UTC

Hello All
I am Arun, pursuing postdoc in India. I am personally not satisfied with the postdoc stipend offered in India and I believe that the handful of students doing postdoc in India might concur with my view.

The low salaries offered to Postdocs in India is one of the major factor which is impelling Indian students to either pursue postdoc abroad or to join private R&D establishments. This is slowly devolving the scientific future of India.

Read Further:

The Plight of Japan's PostDocs?

The Fate of Japan's Postdocs and their obscure future?

Japan's postdocs open to alternative work

Toshiyuki Misu1 & Akira Horoiwa1

The government and universities must highlight non-academic careers and nurture a diverse skill set, say Toshiyuki Misu and Akira Horoiwa.

Postdocs in Japan have had a tough time finding permanent positions, either in academia or in the private sector. In a 2005 survey by the National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP) to identify postdocs' career intentions, we investigated people's awareness of and desire for non-traditional science jobs (NISTEP Report 161). We asked about 10% of the postdocs in Japan to participate, 66% of whom responded.


Rutgers PostDocs are on their way to Unionize successefully, FAQ!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I get involved with a postdoc union when I don’t plan on being around in a year?

If not you, then who? The postdocs who are currently employed at Rutgers have a vote over whether they and future generations of postdocs get to have a meaningful voice in determining their pay and working conditions. Also, any improvements we can make here can serve to raise standards for postdocs at other institutions across the country.

PostDoc Message Group

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© 2006 Dr.Muni Global Education Foundation [MGEF]

UCLA PostDoc Union Negotiations with University?

Subject: Update on Postdoctoral Scholar Negotiations
UCLA Graduate Division

Dear Deans, Directors, Chairs, and Faculty:

As of November 3, 2008, the University of California recognized the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) as the exclusive representative for addressing wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment for the following Postdoctoral Scholar title codes:
• Postdoctoral Scholar – Employee (Title Code 3252)
• Postdoctoral Scholar – Fellow (Title Code 3253)
• Postdoctoral Scholar – Paid Direct (Title Code 3254)
• Postgraduate Researcher – FY (Title Code 3240)
• Postgraduate Researcher – AY State Funds (Title Code 3243)
• Postgraduate Researcher – AY Extramural Funds (Title Code 3245
• Visiting _________ - Postdoc (Title Code 3370)

The University and the UAW have commenced negotiations on an initial collective bargaining agreement for the postdoctoral scholars unit. Below is a short summary of negotiations currently in progress.

UPDATE ABOUT POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR NEGOTIATIONS – APRIL 3, 2009

SUMMARY INFORMATION

Today's PostDoc & their Plight?

A man of his stature with the title “the NIH director”, supposed to be the highest and most respectable government authority and policy maker on issues in science/medicine writes “we should not eat our seed corn but protect it”?.

his writings underlies the fact that even this high and mighty NIH director knows the problem of the young scientists of today?, especially the postdoctoral fellows. But yet, neither he nor the scientific committee's at the NIH has taken necessary measures to help improve the current NIH funding system. This area is grossly/largely ignored or deliberately let loose without much restructuring.

The whole academia or higher education system in USA needs a careful reorganization, otherwise what you see will continue, a single faculty of 65 or 70 years old will have all the funding available and sit on it for years until his/her demented brain kills all the funding with as many as 32 grants (MOST OUTRAGEOUS DISPARITY) and

our most valuable and efficient young scientists will be struggling to meet the ends between the academia, lab and their family commitments.

What our current academic policies and atmosphere does to our young scientists is to chase the potential scientists out of labs and academia. Why blame these youngsters if they seek green Pasteur elsewhere like a “biotech job or an industry job”, they have no choice than to look elsewhere for their future.


STEM EDUCATION

Plight of the Postdoc

Is Modern American Science Strangling Its Young Talents In the Cradle?

In some cases, one can even single out

an apparent hoarding of research funds.
In 2007, two hundred scientists received six or more NIH grants, and a single investigator won 32 grants, while many others got close to ten.
An NIH advisory panel has recommended that grant awardees devote at least 20 percent of their time to each, but these numbers show a clear disconnect between intentions and reality. These multiple awards are going to established investigators—who are certainly not spending one fifth of their time per study—while younger scientists would probably devote more energies to the work. Thus, laboratories around the country are fostering a “survival of the oldest” dynamic.