The University of California (UC), in partnership with the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California and its affiliated unions, today announced a first-of-its-kind systemwide Community Workforce Agreement (CWA). Covering the next five years, this agreement between the UC system and the Council will help deliver major construction projects across UC campuses and medical centers.
The agreement also establishes a framework for workforce development, infrastructure modernization, project coordination, and long-term state investment across the UC system.
"This partnership reflects our commitment to delivering critical infrastructure for our campuses and health systems while investing in California's workforce," said Nathan Brostrom, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the University of California Office of the President. "By working collaboratively with our labor partners, we can support project reliability and create meaningful opportunities for workers and communities."
The agreement establishes consistent workforce standards and a framework for collaboration among UC, contractors, and the State Building and Construction Trades Council to support the delivery of major capital construction projects. The partnership comes as UC advances significant investments in student housing, modernizes research and health care facilities, strengthens seismic safety, and addresses long-standing infrastructure needs across its campuses and medical centers.
The CWA applies to major projects funded through state general obligation bond funds and other state capital appropriations, including new construction, renovations, modernizations, and expansions. Contractors on covered projects will adhere to common standards for workforce training, safety, and labor-management coordination.
Specifically, the CWA applies to major capital construction projects supported by state general obligation bond funds and other state capital funding. At a time when state investment in higher education infrastructure has declined significantly from historic levels, the University of California is working to address a growing backlog of deferred maintenance while modernizing its campuses and medical centers to meet the needs of California's students, patients, and researchers. The agreement provides a framework for efficiently delivering these projects with a highly skilled workforce and strong labor-management collaboration, including projects that expand student housing, research laboratories, classrooms, and health care facilities serving communities throughout California.
Leaders from the State Building and Construction Trades Council, representing more than 450,000 skilled construction workers across California, emphasized the importance of the partnership in expanding access to high-quality jobs and training opportunities.
“This agreement underscores a mutual commitment to creating opportunities for Californians pursuing many different paths to success,” said Chris Hannan, President of the State Building and Construction Trades Council. “Through this partnership, the University of California will continue to modernize and expand its world-class campuses and medical facilities that support students, patients, and communities across California, while also increasing access to apprenticeship programs that prepare the next generation for careers in the skilled construction trades.”
The CWA includes provisions that support:
- Access to apprenticeship and workforce training programs
- Goals to prioritize local workers, veterans, and targeted hires through industry-leading training and career opportunities
- Opportunities for small and local businesses
- Opportunities for disadvantaged business enterprises, as well as women-owned and veteran-owned businesses, to participate as contractors or suppliers
- Reliable project delivery through clear labor standards, guaranteed access to a highly skilled workforce, and streamlined dispute resolution processes
This agreement between UC and the Building Trades emphasizes a shared commitment to strengthening California’s communities through investment in infrastructure, workforce opportunities, and public higher education.