The University of California and the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) Local Union 4811 began negotiations for a new contract for graduate student researchers and academic student employees (teaching assistants/readers/tutors) today.
UC’s priorities for bargaining this contract include supporting this workforce and negotiating a fair contract in light of continued uncertainties related to federal funding.
"As we begin bargaining today, we recognize both the vital contributions of our graduate student employees and the unique challenges we are facing in light of continued uncertainties related to federal funding," said Missy Matella, Associate Vice President of Employee and Labor Relations for the University of California Office of the President.
The UAW represents over 57,000 UC employees in five bargaining units across the UC system, with roughly 33,000 UC employees among the two units representing graduate student researchers and academic student employees.
The total compensation for UC graduate student employees is unique because they provide teaching and research services part-time while completing their master's or doctoral studies. Given this dual role, they receive wages for their part-time work, tuition reimbursement, health care and other fee remissions, childcare support, and other benefits, all while they are earning an advanced degree from the University of California.
Negotiations are anticipated to continue through the end of 2025, with the current contract set to expire on Jan. 1, 2026. The two parties will meet bimonthly to work through the contract’s roughly 40 articles, exchanging proposals and counterproposals until they reach mutually beneficial terms. Prior to bargaining, the two parties agreed on ground rules and some bargaining dates and locations, alternating between Northern and Southern California.
"Through good-faith dialogue, mutual respect, and careful attention to balancing educational goals, research needs, and fair working conditions, we can work through these challenges together," Matella added. "Our shared commitment to both academic excellence and reaching a fair contract can guide us toward agreements that support our shared interests — recognizing that academic work is complicated, but so is finding solutions that strengthen our university community."
Upon completion of bargaining, the two units will merge into a single unit at UAW’s request to simplify bargaining. While the two units will merge, the funding sources and duties for these two employee groups remain distinct – graduate student researchers perform research duties in select UC labs and are primarily funded through federal grants. Academic student employees provide valuable instructional support to UC’s undergraduate students and are primarily funded through tuition and state funds.
For more information about UAW negotiations, visit https://labor.universityofcalifornia.edu/uaw/