2019 UPTE University of California Systemwide Strike Recap

When bargaining began, UC offered ten percent raises over five years and no step increases while trying to eliminate caps on healthcare and force new hires to work five more years for the same pension benefits.

UC made no substantial movement in bargaining or during the impasse process. UC only began negotiating in earnest after thousands of UPTE members struck for eight days over the course of five strikes—against unfair labor practices, for our contract demands, and in solidarity with AFSCME Local 3299.

Only with these strikes did UC get the message that they needed to follow the law and that we were united with AFSCME in our common contract demands. UC ultimately returned to the bargaining table and agreed to twenty-nine to thirty-two percent in raises and steps, no pension cuts, a $25 annual cap on healthcare premiums, and daily overtime pay.