More than 37,000 University of California employees represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 3299 (AFSCME) received a pay increase today of $25 an hour, or a 5% increase, whichever is greater, thanks to new terms implemented by UC last week.
Amidst ongoing uncertainty about federal funding, the University of California implemented select terms of its last, best, and final offer (LBFO) on June 25 for the AFSCME SX and EX bargaining units.
In addition to the wage increases, the new terms implement 2025 health care premiums and provide up to $1,500 in medical insurance premium credits annually for employees who choose Kaiser or UC Blue & Gold HMO (Health Net), and provide clarity around grievance procedures, leave time (including expanded sick leave), and meal and rest periods.
“In these uncertain economic times, we recognize our employees' need for certainty,” said Missy Matella, Associate Vice President, Systemwide Employee and Labor Relations for the UC system. “Rather than letting questions about compensation and conditions go unresolved, we're putting these wage and health benefits in place to provide security during this critical period, with our pay increases serving as concrete evidence of our commitment to our employees.”
The University of California, comprising 10 university campuses, six academic health centers, and three national laboratories, is the state’s second-largest employer. AFSCME represents two bargaining units in roles including patient care support, custodial, transportation, and related basic support services. AFSCME-represented UC employees serve as the system’s entry-level workforce and face unique economic pressures.
Implementation followed 16 months of negotiating and bargaining in good faith with AFSCME, which reached an impasse and exhausted the impasse procedures. Prior to today’s action, UC presented a last, best and final offer to AFSCME on April 30 and gave the union one week to respond. The University has not heard from AFSCME regarding its LBFO.
The implemented terms can be viewed here: SX, EX, and a FAQ can be found here. Negotiation history can be viewed here.