Carrying May Day momentum back into bargaining

Written By Andrew Baker

It was incredible to see thousands of UPTE members striking in response to UC's illegal hiring freeze on May Day. We marched alongside hundreds of others from unions and community groups protesting attacks on workers' rights. As our numbers and support grow strike after strike, UC knows that we are not backing down in our fight for our patients, research, and students.

Click below for some highlights of our great press coverage:

On Friday, the UC Regents appointed James Milliken as UC President. He will be paid 13% more than outgoing President Drake: $1.475 million annually. UPTE members were present at the Regents meeting to remind them that we are not going to stand by while they prioritize executive pay and expanding their market share over frontline workers and those we serve.

Our CNA-represented nurse colleagues are preparing to start bargaining this summer and will be joining UPTE, AFSCME, and other UC unions for a joint Webinar on UC's healthcare cuts at 6PM tomorrow, May 6th. Our unions remain united and prepared to defeat UC's healthcare cuts just like we have done in the past. RSVP here to join!

When we return to bargaining on Thursday at UCLA, we will find out whether UC is ready to seriously engage in discussions over our priorities. Meanwhile, we will be planning meetings in every department around the state to discuss our next steps.

Pack the Table: Bargaining at UCLA

Thursday, May 8 from 11:30 am - 1pm
UCLA Faculty Club, Redwood Room
480 Charles E Young Dr E

Food: Lunch will be provided
Shuttle: Meet in front of RRMC roundabout/side entrance (811 Westwood Plaza)
Shuttle will leave every 15 or so minutes
RSVP to join us: upte.org/bargaining

In July, we will miss our first across-the-board increase. How many more of our colleagues will leave if we allow UC to continue to drag out these negotiations?

Our patients, our research, and our students are counting on us to keep up the fight.

In solidarity,


Dan Russell
UPTE President
UPTE Chief Negotiator
BTSA, UC Berkeley

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