UC Expands Offer to Address Affordability for Patient Care Technical and Service Employees with Nearly 33% Pay Growth, Lower Healthcare Costs During Ongoing Contract Negotiations with AFSCME

The University of California and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) continued negotiations on April 21-22 for a new contract for approximately 38,832 members of the Patient Care Technical (EX) and Service Employee (SX) bargaining units.

During the session, the University expanded its previous contract offer with even stronger wage growth, new financial protections, and meaningful improvements to working conditions. UC’s latest package now delivers up to nearly 33% total pay growth over the life of the contract when annual raises and step increases are combined. In addition to the 5% wage increase already provided to AFSCME-represented team members in 2025, UC’s offer includes across-the-board raises of 5% in 2026, 4% in 2027, 4% in 2028 (up from 3.5%), and 3% in 2029, alongside step increases each year of the contract to support steady wage progression. The updated offer also includes up to a $1,000 ratification bonus for eligible employees, paid within 90 days, providing immediate financial support.

For frontline workers, the offer establishes a guaranteed minimum shift differential of $1.25 per hour for eligible evening and night shift titles, guaranteeing compensation for employees working nontraditional hours. The offer also guarantees eight step wage scales for those wage scales impacted by the University’s move to $25 an hour across the system last year. See our Press Release for further details about the offer.

Health care affordability remains a central component of UC’s offer. The proposal maintains caps on annual premium increases and continues monthly premium reductions for lower-paid employees, providing both immediate savings and long-term protection from rising costs. Today, more than 16,000 AFSCME-represented employees pay less than $100 per month for health coverage, and about half pay $0, reflecting the strength of UC’s benefits package.

In a promising sign of progress and collaboration, the parties reached four tentative agreements on articles, including Development, Grievance Procedure, Out of Classification Assignments, and Transfer/Promotion. Previously, they reached agreements on Arbitration, Discipline and Dismissal, Non-Discrimination in Employment, and Performance Evaluation for a combined total of eight tentative agreements. 

The University recognizes the vital contributions that AFSCME-represented patient care technical and service employees make every day. We are committed to negotiating in good faith to reach a comprehensive, multiyear agreement that fairly reflects their talent and skill while remaining financially sustainable over time.

The next bargaining session is scheduled for May 6. 

Learn how contracts are bargained.

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