Welcome to the UPTE Update, a monthly newsletter from University Professional and Technical Employees.
In this edition:
UC Davis workers enforce contractual caps on healthcare, limit premium hikes
Just 20 days before the start of open enrollment, UC Davis leadership announced the end of a subsidy that lowered employee costs for Blue & Gold healthcare coverage.
Collective pressure from union members and the press drove UC Davis leadership to take action. A few days prior to our scheduled rally, UC Davis representatives confirmed our contractual caps to premium increases would apply to UC Davis Blue & Gold rates in 2027.
Why it matters: This subsidy was critical for ensuring UC Davis employees and their family members with chronic health conditions maintain uninterrupted access to complex, ongoing healthcare.
Then, after continued pressure from the UC Physicians Committee and UPTE members, UC Davis leadership completely reversed their decision to eliminate the subsidy—extending the lower Blue & Gold rates for all UC Davis employees through the end of 2027.
This highlights the importance of expanding our contractual healthcare protections when we go back to the bargaining table in 2028 and continuing our larger fight to establish a single-payer healthcare system that does not deny care to anyone based on inability to pay.
UPTE-endorsed candidates win across California
Throughout this year's midterm elections, UPTE members endorsed and spoke with voters in our communities about candidates who share our commitment to public education, healthcare, and research.
Our activism and engagement helped successfully elect candidates in key offices important to our mission, including:
Jane Kim, California Insurance Commissioner
Fiona Ma, California Lieutenant Governor
Marni von Wilpert, Congressional District 48
Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, State Assembly District 4
Amy Slavensky, State Assembly District 7
Liz Ortega, State Assembly District 20
Dr. Darshana R. Patel, State Assembly District 76
Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins, State Assembly District 79
María Elena Durazo, LA County Board of Supervisors District 1
Katrina Foley, OC Board of Supervisors District 5
Claudia Jimenez, Mayor of Richmond
Kathleen Treseder, Irvine City Council District 6
Eunisses Hernandez, LA City Council District 1
Hugo Soto-Martínez, LA City Council District 13
Isuri Ramos, Santa Ana City Council Ward 6
Susie Nava, College of the Sequoias Board Trustee Ward 5
While our endorsed candidates didn't prevail in every race, we're proud of the power we built—in our union and communities—to fight for the future working families like ours need.
Newly-organized UPTE members at UCSD push for—and win—right to remote work
Clinical Documentation Specialists (CDIs) at UC San Diego Health organized to improve department working conditions by securing one remote work day per week.
CDIs are new members of our union, but have been fighting for the right to remote work for years. Their solidarity and discipline shows that any workplace issue that unites us is worth fighting for.
These critical workers tried to secure remote work in 2020, but to no avail. After joining our union late last year, they reignited their effort to improve work/life balance with a hybrid schedule.
A new approach: During this go-around, UPTE members wrote and signed a petition, delivered it to department leadership, spoke with key decision makers, and landed a meeting between workers and management.
The pressure worked. Following the meeting, UCSD's labor relations representative spoke with the Chief Administration Officer. She heard the collective voice of our members and agreed to their proposal.
"For years, we have been asking for a hybrid work week to improve our quality of life. Since recently becoming members of UPTE, our entire department has overcome many challenges. We finally had our voices heard and secured one remote work day per week! We will continue negotiating for another remote work day through the support and strength of our union."
Carol Sedlacek
Clinical Documentation Specialist 3
UC San Diego Health
Stand in solidarity with UCSF social workers
Nearly a year has passed since our social worker colleague at UCSF, Alberto Rangel, was killed on-the-job while caring for patients.
After an audit, a $142,000 financial penalty, and multiple public actions with pressure from community and UPTE members, UCSF Chancellor Hawgood continues to drag his feet on concrete safety and staffing improvements.
Take action: Sign the letter calling on Chancellor Hawgood to immediately address the staffing crisis and safety concerns of UCSF social workers.
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