Last May, University of California President Michael V. Drake, M.D., announced an independent investigation and after-action review of on-campus protests, counter-protests, encampments, and related issues at UCLA that led to violence. Today, the University of California released a comprehensive set of recommendations to address issues with UCLA’s planning and protocols.

We fundamentally disagree with AFSCME’s claims of bad faith bargaining and characterization of unacceptable bargaining proposals. From January to May, University of California and AFSCME bargaining teams met 22 times and worked collaboratively on proposals for the UC AFSCME-represented employees. UC offered AFSCME 26 proposals and 36 counterproposals, while AFSCME presented 42 proposals and only three counterproposals.

At the same time UPTE is stating that the University refuses to bargain in good faith, the parties are bargaining over key issues of importance for these valued employees. Bargaining is scheduled for today and tomorrow at UC San Diego, where dozens of members of both UPTE employees and UC will meet to continue contract negotiations. Additional sessions have been scheduled for next month. 

Health care costs are rising nationally, and the University of California is not immune. These increases are consistent with other public employers in California. For example, CalPERS announced an overall weighted premium increase of 10.79 percent for 2025. 

We honor and respect AFSCME’s right to engage in the lawful protest of employment conditions and believe the spirit of the activation of its members is not mutually exclusive from the values UC holds dear.

Contract negotiations resumed this week for the next Union of Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) contract with the University of California.  

We fully respect AFSCME’s right to engage in expressive activities on issues of importance to its membership.

AFSCME’s allegations of bad-faith bargaining are meritless. The University has had a robust economic proposal on the table for months which includes health care premium subsidies for lower-paid employees, 5 percent increases in 2025, and increasing the minimum wage for all employees to $25 an hour by July 1, 2025. For months, the University has waited for acknowledgment, much less counter proposals to this economic proposal and instead of countering, AFSCME declared an impasse without responding.

We continue to be disappointed by UPTE's unfounded allegations and rhetoric and its efforts to engage in a premature strike that will occur while we are still engaged in negotiations. For example, the University very recently passed a significant economic offer that provides these valued employees with 5 percent increases in 2025, provides additional step increases for two of these units, and brings any employees making less than $25 an hour up to $25 an hour by July 1, 2025.