Over 400 University of California executive assistants join Local 2010
October 11, 2024
More than 400 workers at the University of California (UC) joined Teamsters Local 2010 in July. These new members are now bargaining for higher pay, reduced benefit costs, overtime pay, job security, and respect in the workplace.
“As a first-time union member, I’m delighted to be part of the Teamsters, one of the strongest labor unions in the world,” said Angela Gross, an Executive Assistant 3 at UC San Francisco. “Becoming a Teamster is a powerful step toward ensuring that the rights of Executive Assistant 3 workers across the UC system are fully respected, and I’m proud to be part of this movement.”
With nine years of experience as an executive assistant at UC, Gross said she understands the value of efficient systems and support. “I believe the bargaining team is key to driving improvements that benefit both Teamsters and the UC system. Volunteering for the team allows me to help ensure that our voices are heard so that we secure fair wages, respect, and the rights we deserve.”
Workers in the Executive Assistant 3 (EA3) title have been organizing for years to become Teamsters and the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) issued a unit modification order on July 12, 2024, because the board deemed that the workers share a community of interest with other workers in the CX Bargaining Unit. They had been improperly classified by the UC as unrepresented employees and for years been denied the wages, benefits and protections of a Union, and our Union petitioned PERB over the improper placement.
The newly organized workers join 19,000 administrative, paraprofessional, and skilled trades workers who provide critical public services at every University of California and California State University campus, medical center and laboratory throughout the state, as well as 1.3 million Teamsters members in the U.S. and Canada, with Public Services being one of the largest Teamsters divisions.
“Winning Union representation is the beginning of many improvements in compensation and rights on the job for Executive Assistants at the UC. Now these workers will negotiate for the raises, rights, and benefits with the power of 19,000 other Local 2010 Teamsters statewide and 1.3 million Teamsters throughout the United States and Canada standing with them!” said Jason Rabinowitz, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 2010. “The power of our Union comes from the power of our members. When we stand together as Teamsters, we win together!”
The group began the bargaining process on Oct. 1 for salary ranges, step placement, on-call and shift differential pay, as well as other bonus eligibility and pay.
