We are disappointed that AFSCME is moving toward an open-ended strike despite the significant and ongoing progress made at the bargaining table. The University of California remains focused on reaching an agreement that delivers real, immediate benefits for employees and is sustainable over the long term.
We recognize that many employees are facing real pressures related to housing, commuting, and the high cost of living, and those concerns are central to these negotiations.
Since bargaining began in January 2024, both parties have remained actively engaged, exchanging proposals across wages, health care, and working conditions, and reaching agreement on 26 contract articles to date. The parties met last week and are scheduled to meet again next week as negotiations continue.
UC has made significant movement in response to employee priorities with proposals last week that built on previous offers: total wage growth of 32.3% through 2029 (including last year’s 5% increase). UC also proposed up to a $1,000 bonus for each career AFSCME-represented employee, adjusted for part-time and full-time status.
To address rising health care costs, UC has proposed caps of 7.5% and 5% for Kaiser and Blue & Gold medical plans, respectively. We have also offered significant monthly stipends to offset rising health care costs nationwide, which are not unique to California or UC. At this point, more than 16,000 AFSCME-represented UC employees pay less than $100, and about half (over 8,000) pay $0.
These are concrete steps designed to provide both immediate financial support and long-term growth, while giving employees flexibility to address their individual needs. UC also raised the hourly wage for its lowest-paid employees to $25 across the entire UC system in 2025. This move went well above the state-mandated requirement for health care workers and extended the minimum wage to any AFSCME employee paid less than $25 an hour at medical and campus locations.
Given this progress, we believe an open-ended strike is unnecessary and risks disruption for patients, students, and campus operations.
AFSCME has cited unfair labor practice allegations as a basis for the strike. The merit of these allegations will be determined through the Public Employment Relations Board’s process. Filing a charge does not establish wrongdoing, and we disagree with these claims. We believe continued good-faith bargaining is the most constructive path to resolving remaining issues.
We remain committed to reaching an agreement as quickly as possible so these valued employees can begin receiving these benefits.