Contract agreement between UC and AFSCME prevents strike involving 40,000 workers.

The union representing nearly 40,000 service and technical patient care workers at University of California (UC) medical centers and campuses across the state has successfully negotiated a tentative agreement, leading to the cancellation of a planned open-ended strike. The strike was set to commence early Thursday but was averted following last-minute bargaining efforts.

Members of Local 3299 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) will have the opportunity to vote on the proposed agreement during the ratification period from May 19 to May 21. While the specifics of the tentative deal have not been disclosed, union representatives have indicated that the agreement includes significant provisions aimed at improving the financial and working conditions for employees.

According to statements from AFSCME, this agreement is notably beneficial for the lowest-paid workers within the UC system, reflecting what they describe as the largest wage increase in the organization’s history, alongside more manageable healthcare costs. Union leadership emphasized that the improvements would alleviate the financial burdens faced by some of the system’s most vulnerable employees, who often struggle to balance medical expenses with everyday living costs.

As it currently stands, the workforce is governed by two distinct labor contracts: one covering custodians, food service workers, groundskeepers, and security personnel, which is set to expire in October 2024, and another encompassing roles in patient care, such as medical assistants and respiratory therapists, which will expire in July 2024.

UC officials expressed their satisfaction with the outcome of negotiations, highlighting the importance of recognizing the contributions of these employees to campus operations and patient care services. The proposed agreement not only features significant wage increases but also addresses affordability concerns that have surfaced during discussions.

Since the bargaining process commenced in January 2024, UC has increased its salary proposal from a projected 25% growth to over 34% as of early May. Additionally, a ratification bonus of up to ,000 for eligible workers has been introduced, along with longevity payments for long-serving employees, and measures designed to mitigate rising healthcare costs through 2029.

Should the tentative agreement receive approval from the union’s membership, it would include retroactive pay from 2024 through 2029 and raises the minimum wage for permanent employees to .10 by April 2029, from the current .

In prior communications, the union also expressed concerns regarding UC’s alleged practices of under-staffing facilities and uneven investment in resources, particularly while the institution enhances its infrastructure and compensates upper management substantially. The union has highlighted the struggles of its members, some of whom have faced significant housing challenges.

A spokesperson from UC acknowledged these concerns regarding housing and cost of living pressures as integral to ongoing negotiations, affirming the institution’s commitment to address these pressing issues. Further details will likely emerge as the ratification process unfolds.

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