Mediation continues, UC imposes
Mediation with UC over our contract continues to be productive and will continue on Monday and Tuesday of next week. While our goal remains to reach a settlement prior to a strike, we must continue preparing for a strike to become a necessity.
Also, UC has imposed its proposed January 2025 step and July 2025 5% across-the-board and $25/hr minimum wage - with full retroactivity.
This imposition is a down payment on a good contract - and we need to use it to help us prepare to strike in larger numbers and for longer, if necessary.
In 2019, UC imposed a raise in June. By August, we had a fair contract.
2026 healthcare changes
UC has published its 2026 healthcare rates, which represent another significant increase in premiums. This year, rates increased by up to $169.07 per month. This makes our fight to protect our caps on healthcare increases even more important.
Why is UC giving us up to a 7% percent raise now?
UC administrators are concerned about the power of an impending strike, especially after UPTE's massive turnout in the strike vote ending October 2nd.
What does this mean for our fight for a fair contract?
We maintain all of our rights to strike, and bargain for the priorities you and your coworkers have identified. UC's move shows that they are beginning to crack - and that we need to step up the pressure to force them to reset their priorities.
What happens now?
With more than 80,000 workers out of contract on November 1, we all need to prepare for the biggest and most powerful strike in UC history. Please make plans to coordinate rides and meeting places for your coworkers if a strike is called.
UC administrators have the power to avoid a strike by addressing the crisis of recruitment and retention with a fair contract that reflects your priorities.
UC's move to unilaterally impose a raise shows they are feeling the pressure. Let's use UC's attempt to buy us off as a down payment for the contract we deserve.
In solidarity,
Dan Russell
UPTE President
Chief Negotiator
Business Technology Support Analyst, UC Berkeley
