UCOP Newsroom
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Official handle of UC Office of the President's Media Relations Team. Press releases, statements, and other administrative news.
media(at)ucop(dot)edu universityofcalifornia.edu/press-room
media(at)ucop(dot)edu universityofcalifornia.edu/press-room
The current situation presents opportunities for collaborative approaches that could benefit the University of California system and its valued employees.
April 16, 2025 at 5:21 PM
The current situation presents opportunities for collaborative approaches that could benefit the University of California system and its valued employees.
We believe the unions will recognize our common challenges and understand the importance of reaching a consensus on several key issues rather than maintaining adversarial positions.
April 16, 2025 at 5:21 PM
We believe the unions will recognize our common challenges and understand the importance of reaching a consensus on several key issues rather than maintaining adversarial positions.
Despite our repeated outreach and willingness to negotiate, UPTE continues to decline our invitations to return to the bargaining table.
April 16, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Despite our repeated outreach and willingness to negotiate, UPTE continues to decline our invitations to return to the bargaining table.
UC returns to the bargaining table with AFSCME tomorrow after receiving assurances from the Union that it is prepared to make substantive movement on proposals—a flexibility we've consistently demonstrated since January 2024.
April 16, 2025 at 5:21 PM
UC returns to the bargaining table with AFSCME tomorrow after receiving assurances from the Union that it is prepared to make substantive movement on proposals—a flexibility we've consistently demonstrated since January 2024.
In this era of political instability and significant funding challenges, we aim to collectively align with our labor partners to advocate for UC's continued mission and impact.
April 16, 2025 at 5:21 PM
In this era of political instability and significant funding challenges, we aim to collectively align with our labor partners to advocate for UC's continued mission and impact.
As we've emphasized throughout our communications—in early April, February, and last November—the University of California remains steadfast in our commitment to reaching fair contract agreements with AFSCME and UPTE.
April 16, 2025 at 5:21 PM
As we've emphasized throughout our communications—in early April, February, and last November—the University of California remains steadfast in our commitment to reaching fair contract agreements with AFSCME and UPTE.
The University will do everything possible to ensure strike impacts on patients, students, faculty and staff are mitigated.
February 24, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The University will do everything possible to ensure strike impacts on patients, students, faculty and staff are mitigated.
While both AFSCME and UPTE may say they want UC to return to the table, the successful resolution of these contracts depends on their willingness to engage in productive bargaining.
February 24, 2025 at 6:17 PM
While both AFSCME and UPTE may say they want UC to return to the table, the successful resolution of these contracts depends on their willingness to engage in productive bargaining.
AFSCME has not responded to the University's proposals or counterproposals since May 2024.
February 24, 2025 at 6:17 PM
AFSCME has not responded to the University's proposals or counterproposals since May 2024.
UPTE, who began strike preparations the same month contract negotiations began, failed to attend the most recent bargaining session and declared an impasse before responding to our offers.
February 24, 2025 at 6:17 PM
UPTE, who began strike preparations the same month contract negotiations began, failed to attend the most recent bargaining session and declared an impasse before responding to our offers.
We have also continuously bargained in good faith; we are disappointed that AFSCME and UPTE remain unwilling to do the same.
February 24, 2025 at 6:17 PM
We have also continuously bargained in good faith; we are disappointed that AFSCME and UPTE remain unwilling to do the same.
We have offered each union meaningful, wage increases, health care premium reductions, and other offers to directly address the issues they've indicated are important to their members.
February 24, 2025 at 6:17 PM
We have offered each union meaningful, wage increases, health care premium reductions, and other offers to directly address the issues they've indicated are important to their members.
During any potential strike, the University is prepared to make every effort to ensure that critical operations, which include patient care, continue at a level of excellence that UC patients, students, faculty, and staff expect.
February 14, 2025 at 9:51 PM
During any potential strike, the University is prepared to make every effort to ensure that critical operations, which include patient care, continue at a level of excellence that UC patients, students, faculty, and staff expect.
Before their votes even closed, UPTE had already declared on their website that they intended to strike. It seems that no matter what UC has offered or what their members want, the outcome has already been determined.
February 14, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Before their votes even closed, UPTE had already declared on their website that they intended to strike. It seems that no matter what UC has offered or what their members want, the outcome has already been determined.
UPTE, meanwhile, has refused to offer counterproposals, seemingly preferring to circulate demonstrably false information rather than engaging in good-faith negotiations on key issues.
February 14, 2025 at 9:51 PM
UPTE, meanwhile, has refused to offer counterproposals, seemingly preferring to circulate demonstrably false information rather than engaging in good-faith negotiations on key issues.
We have been eager to settle these contracts: we have offered UPTE what it has asked for, including higher wages, reduced health care premiums for lower-paid staff, regular step increases, more vacation and sick leave, an extra holiday and career growth opportunities.
February 14, 2025 at 9:51 PM
We have been eager to settle these contracts: we have offered UPTE what it has asked for, including higher wages, reduced health care premiums for lower-paid staff, regular step increases, more vacation and sick leave, an extra holiday and career growth opportunities.
There is no staffing crisis at UC. Data that we’ve already shared with UPTE shows that headcount is going UP, separations are declining, and turnover is flattening. There is no truth to this claim. Continuing to repeat it does not make it true.
February 14, 2025 at 9:51 PM
There is no staffing crisis at UC. Data that we’ve already shared with UPTE shows that headcount is going UP, separations are declining, and turnover is flattening. There is no truth to this claim. Continuing to repeat it does not make it true.
We remain committed to supporting AFSCME-represented UC employees with generous offers and will keep trying to get through to them in hopes of settling this contract dispute soon.
February 14, 2025 at 12:51 AM
We remain committed to supporting AFSCME-represented UC employees with generous offers and will keep trying to get through to them in hopes of settling this contract dispute soon.
Unfortunately, AFSCME has not responded to any of our proposals or offered any counters for the past nine months. Negotiations require collaboration, and we're disappointed by AFSCME's apparent lack of willingness to engage in the process.
February 14, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Unfortunately, AFSCME has not responded to any of our proposals or offered any counters for the past nine months. Negotiations require collaboration, and we're disappointed by AFSCME's apparent lack of willingness to engage in the process.
We’ve also offered even more cost reductions in healthcare premiums: many AFSCME-represented UC employees will have $0 cost for health insurance premiums.
February 14, 2025 at 12:51 AM
We’ve also offered even more cost reductions in healthcare premiums: many AFSCME-represented UC employees will have $0 cost for health insurance premiums.
UC also offered eligible employees step increases in years 2-5 of the contract; this, plus our wage offers, means some employees would see as much as a 28% increase in their compensation.
February 14, 2025 at 12:51 AM
UC also offered eligible employees step increases in years 2-5 of the contract; this, plus our wage offers, means some employees would see as much as a 28% increase in their compensation.
We previously moved our minimum wage offer up 10 months sooner: by July, 7378 AFSCME-represented UC employees’ pay will go up to $25/hr.
February 14, 2025 at 12:51 AM
We previously moved our minimum wage offer up 10 months sooner: by July, 7378 AFSCME-represented UC employees’ pay will go up to $25/hr.