Unions and UC  

The University of California is committed to effective collaboration with eight labor unions representing more than 138,000 UC employees. Currently, UC is negotiating contracts with two unions, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE).

Despite negotiations for most of 2024, AFSCME has declared an impasse. The two parties are working through the state-regulated process to attempt a resolution. Learn more about AFSCME negotiations.

UPTE negotiations began in June, and continue. Learn more about UPTE negotiations.

If the unions choose to strike, the University will make every effort to ensure the critical operations of the University system, which includes patient care, continue at a level of excellence that UC patients, students, faculty and staff expect.

Conference meeting

Contracts

Contract negotiation process 

Representatives from across the UC system and the union (‘bargaining teams’) meet to negotiate the terms of an agreement. Both sides discuss contract-related issues during these negotiations and present proposals and counterproposals. State law requires that both sides engage in good-faith negotiations to try to resolve any differences and work to reach an agreement in a timely manner. 

Learn more about how labor negotiations work.

Medical worker

Media Contacts