This post was updated Nov. 30 at 9:31 p.m.
Two unions representing more than 40,000 UC workers ratified their new contracts with the University after months of bargaining.
The University Professional and Technical Employees-Communications Workers of America 9119, which represents about 20,000 research and technical workers, reached a tentative agreement with the UC on Nov. 8. UC nurses represented by the California Nurses Association also ratified a contract agreement they reached with the University on Nov. 16.
Of the nearly 12,000 UPTE-CWA 9119 members who voted, 98% voted to ratify the contract.
[Related: After more than a year, UC reaches contract with UPTE-CWA 9119]
UPTE-CWA 9119 began its contract negotiations with the University in June 2024, and contracts for its employees expired in October 2024. The union struck four times in the 2024-25 school year – once at UC San Francisco and three times across the UC – during the negotiation period.
[Related: UPTE-CWA 9119, AFSCME Local 3299 negotiations with UC remains ongoing]
The union was set to strike across the UC again Nov. 17 to 18 alongside the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 and CNA but called it off after reaching the tentative agreement. UC nurses from CNA also called off their strike in sympathy with AFSCME Local 3299 after announcing they had reached a tentative agreement with the UC on Nov. 16, the day before it was set to begin.
UPTE-CWA 9119’s ratification puts the tentative agreement’s provisions into immediate effect.
Employees under the union will receive at least an 8% increase in wages for this year, according to a summary of the contract on the union’s website. Union members will also see a 7% increase in 2026 and 6% increases in 2027 and 2028.
Some healthcare subsidies for two of the UC’s coverage plans will be frozen at their 2024 rates in 2026, with caps on premium increases in the following two years, according to UPTE-CWA 9119’s website.
The new contract is also intended to provide further opportunities for work-life balance, career progression and job security, according to the union’s website.
UPTE-CWA 9119 will increase its member representation to at least one unit representative for every 100 employees and receive more release hours, which is when public sector workers are able to spend time completing union work rather than their job responsibilities, according to the American Legislative Exchange Council.
“The finalized agreement reflects the University’s enduring commitment and UPTE’s advocacy for our employees who play critical roles across the University,” the UC Office of the President said in a Nov. 8 press release. “This outcome was the result of constructive dialogue and a shared commitment to finding common ground while maintaining financial responsibility in uncertain times.”
CNA, which represents more than 25,000 registered nurses across 19 of the University’s medical centers, began negotiations in June.
UC registered nurses represented by CNA, whose previous contract expired Oct. 31, ratified a four-year contract Saturday following a vote among its members, with its conditions going into effect immediately.
The contract guarantees an 18.5% minimum wage increase over the life of the contract and caps rising healthcare costs.
The nurses will play a central role in “selecting, designing, and validating new technology,” such as artificial intelligence tools, pursuant to the contract.
The UC must create disaster response plans and train nurses based on them, according to the new contract.
The contract restricts the UC from scheduling floating nurses – per-diem employees who fill in staffing gaps in hospitals – between its facilities and guarantees that patient interests and the judgment of individual nurses will guide floating decisions.
[Related: ‘They’ve taken away the flexibility’ – UCLA float pool nurses raise job concerns]
“We’re grateful to the nurses and the CNA bargaining team for their partnership and shared commitment to what matters most: our patients and the UC community,” said Missy Matella, associate vice president for systemwide employee and labor relations, in a UCOP press release Nov. 16. “This strong, forward-looking deal honors the vital role nurses play in delivering exceptional care and advancing UC’s public service mission.”
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