After months of negotiations and mediation, the University of California (UC) and AFSCME worked with a neutral factfinder who created a report that provided recommendations regarding the parties’ bargaining proposals. That report was released publicly today, and UC’s communications regarding that report are available here: https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/press-room/neutral-factfinder-overwhelmingly-favors-uc-proposals-afscme
The parties held bargaining sessions on February 4 and 5, and again on February 11 and 12 to determine whether movement was possible in response to the fact-finding report. During this week’s sessions, UC increased its economic and health care offers and presented the below to the AFSCME bargaining team for consideration:
Wages: Annual across-the-board wage increases of 5% in 2025, 4% in 2026, and 3% in 2027, 2028, and 2029, totaling 18% over the contract’s life. UC increased its offer in years four and five of the contract to support our valued team members.
- Expedited Minimum Wage Increase: By July 2025, the hourly pay of
7,378 AFSCME-represented UC employees would increase to $25 an hour. - Compensation: Eligible employees would receive new step increases
in years two to five (2026-2029) of the contract. After reclassification,
there will be two steps instead of the current one.
| EXAMPLE: 2025 Monthly Costs for Pay Band 1 | ||||
| Plan | Self | Self + Child(ren) | Self + Adult | Family |
| Kaiser HMO (Kaiser Permanente) with $125 premium reduction | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $24.16 |
| UC Blue & Gold HMO (Health Net) with $125 premium reduction | $0.00 | $69.38 | $180.90 | $265.91 |
Contract length: The five-year contracts would expire on November 30, 2029, creating long-term stability.
Healthcare: Healthcare premium reductions to help bring down monthly costs for those who elect Kaiser HMO or UC Blue and Gold HMO. If accepted, this proposal means many AFSCME-represented UC employees would have a $0 monthly healthcare premium in 2025.
- Eligible employees in Pay Band 1 will receive the most significant cost
savings: $125 per month during the first and last years of the contract and
$100 per month during the second, third, and fourth years. - Eligible employees in Pay Band 2 will receive $100 a month for the
first and last years of the contract, and $75 per month for the second,
third, and fourth years.
Unfortunately, after four days of bargaining, during which the University’s team offered proposals on three articles resulting in tentative agreements and presented the economic package described above, AFSCME continued to refuse to offer proposals or counterproposals. In fact, AFSCME has refused to pass any proposal or counterproposal to UC since May 2024 and, similarly, has not responded to UC’s significant movement on critical economic and health care issues.
Nevertheless, the University remains hopeful that we will reach an agreement that reflects the value of your work and contributions, which are essential to the University’s mission and the people we serve. We will update you again soon.