The Total Tentative Agreement (TTA) has been ratified by rank-and-file CAPS-UAW members! A record-breaking 91% of rank-and-file members participated in the vote, and of the voting members, 97% voted to ratify the TTA! This marks a significant milestone in Scientists’ collective efforts to secure better conditions, wages, and benefits. This ratification is a testament to our solidarity and strength as a union.
Ratification by the State: The State legislature will vote to ratify the TTA, including new expenditure of funds via a budget trailer bill. When approved by the State legislature, the budget trailer bill goes to the governor for final approval. After all parties have ratified the TTA, then the TTA is effective and becomes a “memorandum of understanding” (or “contract”).
What does this mean for Supervisors and Managers?
The Excluded Employee Bill of Rights (EBR) guarantees our rights (as supervisors and managers) to participate in our union, CAPS-UAW, and meet and confer with the State for improved work conditions.
Now that rank-and-file Scientists have ratified their TTA, the Supervisors Committee will request to meet and confer with the administration and propose that benefits rank-and-file employees won through their collective fight within the bargaining process are extended to supervisors and managers! Some of these benefits include Geopay, Longevity Pay, and State Disability Insurance. The Supervisors Committee will specifically prioritize extending the salary raises to “no yet” Like Pay for Like Work (LPLW) classifications that have not received the same raises (e.g. the recent 2% increase in July) as their LPLW colleagues.
It’s up to all of us, together as supervisors and managers, to build off the momentum created by our rank-and-file counterparts, knowing that the strength of our union lies within each other. The hard-fought gains they won were a direct result of the solidarity and collective power State Scientists built.
Your participation in your union sends a clear message to this administration that we are united for what we deserve! While we are celebrating the victories of our rank-and-file Scientists, we must acknowledge our work continues.
What’s Next to Build?
Make Your Voice Heard: Share your priorities with the Supervisors Committee by filling out this survey.
Political Organizing: We have our allies, and we have people that we need to hold accountable. 2024 is the time for us to do that. The decisions made in our State and Federal government directly impact our working conditions, wages, benefits, and rights. The outcome of elections and legislative processes can either help or hurt our ability to fight for and protect what’s best for us as workers. Together, we have the power to influence change and secure a better future.
Welcome New Supervisor and Manager Scientists: Outreach to new colleagues is key for ensuring newly hired Scientists are welcomed by fellow Scientists, learn about their rights and benefits, and are introduced to our union. New worker orientations are critical in building solidarity and preparing new supervisors and managers to get involved by empowering them to advocate for themselves and their coworkers.
Stronger Together
As a member-led union, we must have discussions and make decisions about the direction in which we want to move together. Our future is up to all of us. Stay tuned for more opportunities to participate. Click here to fill out a form indicating areas you are interested in getting involved with.