Court Professionals Bargaining Update

Today, August 31, 2026, your UPE bargaining team once again met with the court to work towards a renewed contract. At today’s session, some progress was made. However, our sides remain far apart on a deal.

Our teams exchanged proposals related to expanding access to retiree healthcare. We were also able to tentatively agree with the court on a proposal that would expand employees' ability to take bereavement leave. Further, the court provided a packaged proposal aimed at addressing a range of economic proposals we had previously made. Most significantly, this proposal would raise the court's offer of a one-time $500 payment over three years to a one-time $1,000.00 payment that covers only 2026. This would make for a one-year deal.

Our bargaining team still views this offer as inadequate for our members, as it would not cover the rising costs of living that we have all been experiencing. Our team is scheduled to meet with the court once more, this coming Monday, August 31. We aim to respond to the court's range of economic proposals, with the goal of finding a workable agreement that fairly benefits our members.

We encourage our members to wear red on bargaining days, and to prepare themselves, should bargaining fail to produce an acceptable contract.

TOGETHER WE ARE STRONG!