University of California labor negotiators met in Oakland, Calif., on Oct. 27 with representatives of the unions with five closed contracts to re-open the question of pension contributions.

UC proposed that as of July 1, 2007, union members accept redirection of their payroll deduction for the Direct Contribution Plan into the UC Retirement Plan. Further, the University offered new contract language regarding changes in the UCRP employee contribution so that represented and non-represented employees would automatically see the same percent payroll deduction for future UCRP contributions.

No action was reportedly taken on these proposals.

The unions and UC did agree to a “coordinated bargaining table” approach. As its name implies, coordinated bargaining means that UC will make an offer to the group and the group will respond as one. However, “in this type of coordinated bargaining, any party (including UC) retains the right to withdraw and bargain separately,” explains Paul Schwartz, labor relations spokesperson from the UC Office of the President.

The negotiators will meet again on Thursday, Nov. 9, in Emeryville, Calif.