We know that a lot of information about the status of contract negotiations with UC has been circulated. We want to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the University’s proposals. Over the past several months, the University of California has made strong economic offers for contracts for UPTE healthcare professionals, technical employees, and researchers.
The University values you as a UPTE-represented employee and has sought to address your union’s expressed concerns through its proposals. UC offered UPTE an economic proposal in October with expanded across-the-board and step increases for eligible UPTE-represented employees. The offer stipulates a 5 percent across-the-board salary range increase in 2025, 3 percent in 2026, and 3 percent in 2027. UC has enhanced vacation and sick leave provisions, added Juneteenth as a holiday, and streamlined the reclassification and appeals processes. Review details of past bargaining session updates at our UCNet site. UC’s offers are summarized in the table below.
| TOPIC/ISSUE | UC OFFER | |
| UPTE Wages | Effective July 1, 2025, all UPTE employees (with the exception of LBNL) willreceive a 5 percent increase in year one of the contract and 3 percent increase inyears two and three. In January 2025 and 2027, one step increase is included for RX/TX and step increases for HX are offered in January 2025, 2026, 2027. On average, UPTE members’ pay will increase 19 to 23 percent over the three-year contract. The value of the increases total $360 million. | |
| Health Care Premium Credits | $75 or $100 monthly credits to offset health care premiums, totaling $900 or $1,200annually per employee. | |
| Work-life balance | Expanded provisions for use of vacation and sick leave and extension of sick leave provisions to per diem appointees. Added Juneteenth as a paid federal holiday. | |
| Career Advancement | New paths and mechanisms for job reclassification and salary increases. Expedited review process for reclassification requests. | |
We know that there are a lot of questions about healthcare costs, which are rising nationally, and UC is not immune. Increases in healthcare costs are determined by external factors such as increases in plan utilization, mandated additions of covered services, and increases in drug costs. UPTE members’ premiums may increase for 2025 due to these external factors, but employee premiums will be held at 2024 rates until negotiations are complete. Even if employee premiums increase following negotiations, UC will continue to pay a significant portion of the cost—$2.99 billion in 2025—to help reduce the impact on UC employees. UC has proposed healthcare credits to UPTE that would reduce monthly premium costs by $75 or $100 per employee in salary bands one and two, with the higher amount reserved for lower-paid workers. These credits amount to $1,200 annually for eligible employees or as much as 2.5 percent in additional compensation.
As a reminder, as a career UC employee, you are eligible to receive the following benefits:
| • Medical | • Disability |
| • Dental | • Life |
| • Vision | • Accidental death & dismemberment |
| • Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) | • Accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity |
Career UPTE employees are also entitled to two retirement program options: Pension Choice offers a UCRP pension benefit with a supplemental 401(k)- style component for eligible employees, and Savings Choice offers a stand-alone 401(k)- style account.
In addition to the benefits above, all UC employees are also eligible to receive:
| • Adoption assistance | • Legal |
| • Dependent care FSA | • Family care resources |
| • Identity theft protection | • Pet Insurance |
| • Tuition discounts | • Home and Auto Insurance |
The University met with UPTE on November 7-8, and the next bargaining sessions are scheduled for December 10-11. We remain hopeful that ongoing negotiations will proceed in good faith, allowing both parties to reach a fair deal that supports you. Our negotiation teams have worked hard for months to present sincere proposals. The University believes its offers fairly acknowledge the contributions of UPTE-represented employees, and we are optimistic about a favorable outcome.