Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
The 21,000 members of the University Professional and Technical Employees-CWA (UPTE-CWA) and the University of California (UC) reached a contract agreement and averted a strike planned for Nov. 17 and 18 that was to be joined by more than 60,000 supporters from two additional UC unions, AFSCME Local 3299 and the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (CNA/NNOC). UPTE represents research and technical professionals across the UC system. The two sides had been bargaining for the last 17 months, and had been in mediation for three weeks.
Details of the tentative contract, which union members still must ratify, are forthcoming. Prior to the agreement UPTE was seeking significant pay increases, predictable and progressive caps on health care premium increases, and improvements in work-life balance, career progression and job security.
“The finalized agreement reflects the university’s enduring commitment and UPTE’s advocacy for our employees who play critical roles across the University,” a joint statement from UC and UPTE read. “Both parties acknowledge and appreciate the collaborative spirit that allowed us to move forward and reach a resolution that supports our valuable employees and the University of California’s mission of excellence.”
“Our tentative agreement is a hard-won victory for 21,000 healthcare, research, and technical professionals across UC—and one that will benefit millions of UC patients and students, as well as people across the world who benefit from UC’s cutting-edge research,” said Dan Russell, UPTE president and chief negotiator. “We continue to stand with AFSCME and CNA members as they fight and strike for a similar agreement for their members.”