Joint Statement on Resolution of Top-Up Grievances Issued by UC and UAW 4811

In the interest of promoting harmonious labor relations, UAW 4811 and the University have agreed to resolve a number of grievances around the conversion of top-ups to wages. With this agreement in place, both parties acknowledge that the University has, in satisfaction of the collective bargaining agreement, converted top-ups into wages on the agreed-upon salary scales, and ended the practice of providing top-ups.

A “top-up” (also called “top-off”) is defined as the amount of money that an ASE or GSR received above their ASE or GSR employment wages to reach their department’s previously offered funding package commitment and receipt of the remaining funding package amount is dependent on whether the individual accepts the ASE or GSR appointment.

“Top-ups” also include “Micro-GSR” appointments, which are very small GSR appointments coinciding with existing ASE appointments and serving only as a technical vehicle for pay to help reach the exact funding package amount.

The Union and University agree that for funding package commitments issued, where only a total annual funding package amount is listed, where summer student financial support is offered, and such funding package commitment expressly provides that the funding will be through a combination of ASE or GSR employment and non-employment student financial support: if such summer student financial support is reduced and substantially offsets the wage increases for an ASE or GSR’s appointment during the prior academic year, solely to maintain the annual funding package amount, it would be considered a “Top-Up”. 

Given that UAW and UC agreed to convert all top-ups to wages in the 2022 contract, if such a practice were found to be in place, the University would follow its established procedures to convert the top-up into wages, or, in the case of summer support, restore the summer student financial support amount.

UAW and UC have agreed to a process for addressing and remediating any implementation issues related to the process of rolling top-ups into wages during the contract implementation process.

“We are happy that both parties were able to come together in good faith to work through a complex issue with a settlement agreement that is fair and comprehensive,” said Matt Teaford, Executive Director of Systemwide Employee and Labor Relations for the University of California. “We share a commitment to our students and employees and appreciate UAW’s efforts to resolve these conflicts collaboratively.”

“Academic workers at UC have spent years working towards a simpler and more equitable pay scale,” said Rafael Jaime, a PhD candidate in English at UCLA and the President of UAW Local 4811. “We’re glad UC management was willing to take this step towards a fair, streamlined salary system together with our union.”

The University of California and the UAW have a mutual interest in maintaining productive labor relations. ASEs and GSRs with questions about the implementation of this agreement should reach out to: organize@uaw4811.org.