(The Center Square) – The University of California system and the University Professional and Technical Employees union have reached an agreement, following 17 months of bargaining.
The agreement was announced in early November, just days after UPTE, the union representing 21,000 health care, research and education professionals across the UC system, confirmed plans for a statewide strike on Nov. 17–18 involving more than 80,000 UC workers.
Following 17 months of bargaining and three weeks of mediation, both sides reached a tentative agreement, prompting UPTE to withdraw its strike notice.
The tentative agreement guarantees over 27% in raises over the next four years, equal pay across all UC campuses, protects affordable health care, improves work-life balance with new holidays and expanded parental leave, among many other things.
Dan Russell, UPTE president and chief negotiator, called the agreement a victory.
“We are pleased to announce a tentative agreement with the University of California,” Russell said. “Our tentative agreement is a hard-won victory for 21,000 health care, research, and technical professionals across UC – and one that will benefit millions of UC patients and students, as well as people across the world who benefit from UC’s cutting-edge research.”
For months, UC employees, citing severe understaffing and unsafe working conditions across campuses and medical centers, prepared to escalate their fight for change.
“There’s so much demand in the hospital and not enough staff to address patient needs… so patients are staying longer,” Shawn Singh, a nurse case manager at UC San Francisco, said. “It just really creates the recipe for burnout, moral distress and poor quality in patient care within the hospital system.”
In a joint statement, both parties underscored collaboration and shared responsibility in reaching the agreement.
“The finalized agreement reflects the University’s enduring commitment and UPTE’s advocacy for our employees who play critical roles across the University,” the joint statement said. “This outcome was the result of constructive dialogue and a shared commitment to finding common ground while maintaining financial responsibility in uncertain times.”
“Both parties acknowledge and appreciate the collaborative spirit that allowed us to move forward and reach a resolution that supports our valuable employees and the University of California’s mission of excellence,” the statement said.
