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Labor negotiations

The University of California works closely with nine labor unions representing more than 151,000 UC employees. As we negotiate contracts with several unions, our commitment remains clear: ensuring our union-represented employees receive competitive compensation that reflects their vital contributions to UC’s missions of public service, research and education.

Latest news

University of California Reaffirms Commitment to Fair Negotiations Amid UPTE Strike Plans

The University of California strongly disagrees with UPTE’s decision to call a strike on November 17 and 18 — an action that will disrupt students, patients, and the vital research that benefits communities across California. This strike is both unnecessary…

UC Affirms Commitment to Nurses with 27% Pay Raise Amid Financial Pressures

Demonstrating its commitment to recognizing the tremendous value of nurses at the University of California system, today UC offered the California Nurses Association union more than two dozen contract proposals, including wage increases of 27% over the…

University of California and Teamsters Begin Systemwide Contract Negotiations

Negotiations between the University of California (UC) and Teamsters Local 2010 have officially commenced for a new collective bargaining agreement affecting approximately 17,757 administrative support staff across the UC system.
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Active negotiations

UC strives to work with various unions to ensure UC is a great place for everyone. You can learn about each active labor negotiation taking place at UC, by union, by opening the accordion below.

AFSCME

The American Federation of State, Municipal and County Employees (AFSCME) union represents 37,481 patient care, technical, and service employees in two bargaining units:

Timeline

UC offers to date

After 16 months of negotiating and bargaining in good faith with AFSCME, reaching an impasse and exhausting the impasse procedures, UC implemented specific terms of its last, best, and final offer (LBFO) in June 2025 for the AFSCME SX and EX bargaining units.  AFSCME Fact Sheet

CIR-SEIU

The Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR), a local of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), represents 6,288 house staff or medical residents.

Timeline

  • Bargaining began in August 2025.
  • Contracts expired on June 30, 2025.

UC offers to date

The bargaining process continues with regular meetings, marked by the exchange of thoughtful proposals, even as UC navigates financial constraints and ongoing uncertainty.

CNA

The California Nurses Association represents 23,542 registered nurses.

Timeline

  • Bargaining began in August 2025.
  • The contract expires October 31, 2025.

UC offers to date

The bargaining process continues with regular meetings, marked by the exchange of thoughtful proposals, even as UC navigates financial constraints and ongoing uncertainty.

Teamsters

The Teamsters Local 2010 union represents 17,752 non-supervisory clerical and administrative employees.

Timeline

  • Bargaining began in September 2025
  • Contracts expire on March 31, 2026

UC offers to date

The bargaining process continues with regular meetings, marked by the exchange of thoughtful proposals, even as UC navigates financial constraints and ongoing uncertainty.

UAW Academic

The United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) represents 57,000 UC employees across five bargaining units systemwide. Currently, UC is negotiating contracts for both graduate student researchers and academic student employees in two bargaining units.

Timeline
  • Bargaining began in July 2025.
  • Contracts expire January 1, 2026
UC offers to date

The bargaining process continues with regular meetings, marked by the exchange of thoughtful proposals, even as UC navigates financial constraints and ongoing uncertainty.

UAW Non-academic

UAW represents 4,875 Student Services and Advising Professionals (SSAP). On September 15th, 2025, Research and Public Service Professionals (RPSP) was certified by the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) as the representative for 7,000 UC staff. UC and UAW have agreed that for these negotiations,  UAW-SSAP (SV) and UAW-RPSP will share a bargaining table.

Timeline
  • SV bargaining began in July 2025.
  • RPSP bargaining has not yet begun.
UC offers to date

The bargaining process continues with regular meetings, marked by the exchange of thoughtful proposals, even as UC navigates financial constraints and ongoing uncertainty.

UPTE

The University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) union represents 19,664 health care professionals, technical, and research support professional employees in three bargaining units:

Timeline

  • Bargaining began in June 2024
  • Contracts expired on Oct. 31, 2024

UC offers to date

UC has offered significant across-the-board raises, expanded vacation and sick leave benefits, guaranteed minimum wage increases, and new paid holidays. UC remains committed to fair contracts that support work-life balance, competitive pay, and career advancement opportunities.