The University of California has consistently come to the table in good faith in an effort to collaborate with AFSCME and UPTE to negotiate mutually beneficial contracts. We are disappointed by the union’s continued choice of striking as a negotiation tactic. These strikes cost union members a full day of pay, and they cost the University system millions of dollars.

After more than a year of negotiations, the University of California today offered its employees, represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union, a comprehensive and competitive last, best and final offer (LBFO) that meets their original demand of $25 an hour and a 5% wage increase. The two parties have been negotiating a new contract since January 2024. 

The University of California is aware that international students across several of our campuses have been impacted by recent SEVIS terminations. This is a fluid situation, and we continue to monitor and assess its implications for the UC community and the people affected. We are committed to doing what we can to support all members of our community as they exercise their rights under the law. In doing that, the University will continue to follow all applicable state and federal laws.

We have met with AFSCME and UPTE for months to try to settle these contracts, offering generous wage increases, monthly credits to reduce health care expenses for lower-wage earners, expanded sick leave, and improved ability to schedule vacation time. We’ve offered these early in negotiations, more than a year ago for AFSCME, and eight months ago to UPTE, to try to encourage contract closure and avert unnecessary disruptions like these. More importantly, our proposals have been designed to specifically address the top priorities that union members have identified as most important.

At a time when the University of California is facing funding reductions at both the state and federal levels and preparing for significant financial challenges ahead, we are concerned about UPTE and AFSCME’s plans to strike again. These strikes put a significant financial strain on UC, costing the system millions of dollars.  

Today, the UC Board of Regents directed the University to eliminate any required diversity statements for new hires. While the University has no systemwide policies requiring the submission of diversity statements as part of employment applications, some programs and departments have used this practice in the past.

Our values and commitment to our mission have not changed. We will continue to embrace and celebrate Californians from a variety of life experiences, backgrounds, and points of view.