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Progress in UC–AFSCME Bargaining Marked by New Proposals and Across-the-Board Pay Offer

February 27, 2026

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The University of California and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) made encouraging progress in ongoing negotiations Feb 17-18 on a new contract for members of the patient care technical (EX) and service employee (SX) bargaining units. The bargaining session was highlighted by UC’s offer of sustained pay increases over multiple years combined with a stronger overall wage structure.

UC’s offer provides across-the-board raises, step increases of approximately 2%, retirement-eligible lump-sum payments, and $1,000 longevity payments for employees with 20 years of service.

Through a combination of across-the-board wage and step increases, eligible employees would receive:

  • 7% Increase in 2026
  • 6% Increase in 2027
  • 5.5% Increase in 2028
  • 5% Increase in 2029

When compounded and including the 5% received in 2025, these increases equal total pay growth of nearly 32.3% for eligible employees.

The University’s offer eliminates all pay steps below $25 per hour, placing every employee at $25 or higher and ensuring all are fully eligible for future steps and across-the-board increases. Employees would be placed on the appropriate step based on their current rate, or moved to Step 1 if their rate is below $25.

The University’s offer locks in premium reductions for Pay Band 1-2 employees enrolled in Kaiser or UC Blue & Gold medical plans. UC has also offered to cap Blue & Gold medical plan rate increases at no more than 5% per year, beginning in 2027.

During last week’s bargaining session, AFSCME presented a package proposal updating its proposals on Duration and Wages. The package incorporated the parties’ previously reached tentative agreements and maintained its prior proposals and tentative agreements on Health and Welfare Benefits, Parking, Housing, Access, Agreement, Arbitration Procedure, Development, Discipline and Dismissal, Grievance Procedure, Health and Safety, Holidays, Hours of Work, Layoff and Reduction in Time, Leaves of Absence, Leaves of Absence for Union Business, Non-discrimination in Employment, Out of Classification Assignments, Performance Evaluation, Positions/Appointments, Sick Leave, Staffing and Security, Transfer Promotion, and Vacation Leave. AFSCME also presented counter proposals on Performance Evaluation, Health and Safety, and Holidays.

In addition to the Wage offer, the University passed proposals covering Agreement, Duration, Holidays, Positions and Appointments and Technology in the Workplace. 

The parties reached a tentative agreement on Performance Evaluations. Previous tentative agreements were achieved on Arbitration Procedure, Discipline and Dismissal, Nondiscrimination in Employment, and Seniority.

The University of California employs roughly 38,832 patient care technical and service employees who provide essential services throughout the system. We remain committed to bargaining in good faith to reach a comprehensive multi-year contract that fairly compensates employees and is also financially sustainable over time. For a recap of UC’s current offers, read our fact sheet, here.

The next bargaining session is scheduled to take place on March 10-11. 

Learn how contracts are bargained on UCnet.

Other relevant UC News: 

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