The University of California and the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) Local Union 4811 began negotiations today for the first student services and advising professionals bargaining unit contract.
Recognized by UC in April, the new unit means that UAW will now represent 4,875 policy-covered employees across the system.
The initial systemwide agreement will establish employment terms for these employees, including wages, benefits, leave policies, and workplace procedures. The UAW represents over 45,000 UC employees in five bargaining units across the UC system; bargaining for graduate student researchers and academic student employees also began this week. While each unit has different priorities, UC's long-standing relationship with UAW provides a solid foundation for the current round of bargaining.
“Our recent collaborations have built trust and provided important context that will be essential for these negotiations," said Missy Matella, Associate Vice President for Systemwide Employee and Labor Relations. "We're eager to understand the needs of our student services and advising professionals and explore how UC can continue to foster a supportive and collaborative work environment that benefits both our employees and the students they serve.”
Negotiations are anticipated to continue through at least the end of 2025. 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. Before bargaining, the two parties agreed on ground rules, bargaining dates and locations, alternating between Northern and Southern California.
For more information about UAW negotiations, visit https://labor.universityofcalifornia.edu/uaw/