What UC is offering
Feb. 22: UC offers significant pay increases for AFSCME-represented employees
The lowest-paid employees in these units receive the largest increases
UC has proposed that all positions go up to $23.00 in 2024 and $24.00 in 2025, which means an overall hourly wage increase in the first year of a new contract of 26.6% for a Food Service Worker, 20.5% for a Hospital Assistant, and 18.5% for Groundskeepers and Patient Escorts. Effectively, the lowest-paid employees in these units receive the largest increases.
UC’s 4-year proposal offers substantial compensation increases each year
The proposal means significant overall increases across four years: 39.6% for a Food Service Worker, 32.9% for a Hospital Assistant, and 30.7% for Groundskeepers and Patient Escorts.
More about the proposed pay increases:
- If approved by the union, UC’s proposals would establish a minimum wage of $24/hour, increasing pay for the lowest-paid AFSCME members and keeping pay for all AFSCME-represented employees competitive.
- Members of both bargaining units will receive an average wage increase of 26% in both bargaining units (individual increases may vary) throughout the new contract.
- The lowest-paid AFSCME-represented employees will receive an average 47% increase over the life of the four-year contract if approved.
- Service unit members covered by the new state law will see their pay increase to $23/hour on June 1, 2024, and a step increase, if eligible, for a total 5% increase in the first year.
- Pay for all Patient Care Technical unit members will be raised to $23/hour as of June 1, and they will also receive a 2% step increase (if eligible) in July.
- In April 2025, bargaining unit members for whom the adjustment to $24/hr is less than a five percent increase will receive an increase inclusive of their base hourly rate that adds up to five percent (5%).
In January 2024, UC began negotiations with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Local Union 3299 (AFSCME) for new contracts for UC patient care technical and service employees. We approach all contract negotiations with the following principles:
- advancing UC’s mission,
- strengthening union partnerships,
- promoting operational excellence and
- enhancing UC’s work to be a leading employer in California, increasing our workforce’s equity, diversity, inclusion, retention, recruitment, and advancement.
Our goal for these negotiations is fair contracts that honor our employees and the importance of their work, and our priorities include the following:
 | FAIR AND COMPETITIVE PAY We believe all UC employees, at every level, deserve to be fairly compensated for their contributions. We know the cost of living in California can be challenging, and we expect compensation to be a key topic in these negotiations. We are committed to finding solutions that work for everyone, and we will carefully listen to and consider all union proposals, including AFSCME’s request for a $25/hour systemwide minimum wage and a 5% increase for those already earning more than $25 per hour. |
 | QUALITY BENEFITS We know how important good benefits are to our employees and their families. That’s why UC offers a range of comprehensive and family-friendly medical plans — with salary-based monthly premiums to ensure access to quality care for lower-paid colleagues — and employer contributions that are more generous than the State of California or the California State University system. UC also offers employees excellent retirement benefits to help them save for the future. |
 | LONG-TERM STABILITY We strive to provide our employees stability when it comes to pay and benefits. We are committed to multi-year contracts that include predictable annual pay increases and benefit costs to help our employees meet their needs. |
 | RESPECTFUL, COLLABORATIVE NEGOTIATIONS Negotiations are most successful when both sides are willing to be flexible and open to compromise. In recent years, UC has achieved contracts with unions representing UC lecturers, nurses, police, clerical staff, graduate student workers, post-doctoral scholars and academic researchers. These agreements were the result of both sides working collaboratively to find solutions and demonstrating flexibility and a genuine willingness to compromise. We approach our negotiations with AFSCME in the same fashion. |