Bargaining on May 8 & 9: We need to keep up the pressure!

UPTE has agreed to return to the bargaining table on Thursday, May 8, and Friday, May 9, 2025, after receiving an improved proposal from UC on reclassification via email.

In its new proposal, UC has agreed to UPTE's proposal for an initial response to reclassification requests within ninety days, a significant improvement from having no timeline in our current contract and UC's initial proposal of 210 days.

However, the University has not agreed to address the lack of clear and objective criteria or an enforceable appeals process: UC still proposes unilateral control over the criteria and decision for reclassification. UC has also not made progress on other top priorities—like more time off, improved job security, or fair pay—and is still proposing the right to increase healthcare premiums without limit.

Moreover, in another proposal provided via email, the University moved backward on wages—adding a year to the contract (2028) with no raise or step, after spending nine months publicizing to us, the public, and legislators how great raises for 2025, 2026, and 2027 were.

UC has seen thousands of UPTE members mobilize over the past few months and is clearly feeling pressure to begin addressing our demands. We have also used our power to demonstrate that we won't stand for UC's unfair practices. 

Now, we need to keep up the pressure to let UC know we won't back down: UC needs to offer solutions to the staffing crisis, bargain in good faith, and end its unfair labor practices. RSVP for our May 1 ULP strike against UC’s unlawful hiring freeze today at upte.org/ucstrike.

Dan Russell
UPTE President
UPTE Chief Negotiator
Business Technical Support Analyst, UC Berkeley