Since January 2024, the University of California has regularly met with leadership from the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union to negotiate new contracts for you and your colleagues. UC has negotiated in good faith and offered proposals that respond to stated union priorities. On July 24, AFSCME declared that it believed negotiations were at an impasse. Below are answers to questions about the impasse process and what both sides have offered.
What happens after an impasse is declared?
The California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) determines that negotiations have reached an impasse. After that, and if PERB agrees that the parties are at an impasse, the parties proceed to mediation. Here, PERB certified the impasse in late July, and UC expects mediation to be scheduled next month.
Does UC believe that the parties are at an impasse?
UC believes there is room for much more progress to be made between the parties, and we are dedicated to reaching a fair agreement with AFSCME, which is reflected in our proposals, including our wage proposal that would bring all employees up to $25 an hour by July 1, 2025. However, to reach a fair agreement, both sides must offer substantive proposals and be willing to compromise. While UC believes that progress could still be made at the table, the University welcomes the assistance of a state mediator in these negotiations. Our goal is to secure new contracts that reflect the essential role you and your colleagues play and that you are rewarded for your contributions to the University and the people we serve.
What have both sides offered so far?
So far, UC has offered 26 proposals and 36 counterproposals. These include two significant wage proposals, expanded sick paid leave, and new health care credits to offset costs.
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AFSCME has offered 42 proposals during the first several months of bargaining but has yet to offer any new proposals and has only made three counterproposals since May.
Have UC and AFSCME reached agreements on anything?
The parties reached a tentative agreement on the non-discrimination article for each unit, creating broader rights and inclusive protections for the UC community and furthering UC’s mission for a healthy and equitable work environment.