The University of California and the union representing 21,000 health care, research and technology professionals in the University of California system have reached a contract agreement and averted a strike, the university and union announced Saturday.
Union, University professional and technical staff (UPTE) had been negotiating a new contract with UC for 17 months, with both parties in mediation for three weeks. After negotiations broke down earlier this week, the University of California said UPTE has asked a mediator to resume cooperation with the university.
The union was scheduled to strike on November 17 and 18, and would be joined by more than 60,000 supporters from two additional UC unions, AFSCME 3299 and the California Nurses Association.
Unions said it would have been the largest labor strike in UC history. AFSCME 3299 introduces patient care technicians, custodians, food service workers, security guards, secretaries, and other workers at UC hospitals and campuses.
The UC and UPTE said details of the preliminary contract, which must be ratified by union members, would be published next week. Before the agreement, UPTE workers pressed UC to invest in retention, pay and safe working conditions to help solve the problem personnel crisis which the union says “threatens patient care, student services and the research mission at the core of the UC system.”
“The agreement reflects the university's ongoing commitment to protecting the interests of our employees, who play a critical role in the university,” UC and UPTE said in a joint statement. “Both parties recognize and appreciate the collaborative spirit that has allowed us to move forward and reach a resolution that supports our valued employees and UC’s mission of excellence.”
UPTE has canceled its strike notice pending a vote on membership ratification, according to a statement. and RussellUPTE President and Chief Negotiator.
“Our tentative agreement is a hard-won victory for UC's 21,000 health, research and engineering professionals, and a victory that will benefit millions of UC patients and students, as well as people around the world who benefit from UC's cutting-edge research,” Russell said. “We continue to support AFSCME and CNA members as they fight and strike for a similar agreement for their members.”
Meredith Turner, UC's senior vice president for external affairs and communications, said the agreement was the result of “constructive dialogue and a shared commitment to finding common ground while maintaining fiscal responsibility in uncertain times.”
Turner had previously opposed the strike, saying in a statement. video statement posted online Thursday that the University of California was “disappointed but not surprised that UPTE has once again chosen disruption over dialogue.”
She said UC negotiated in good faith, offering “real improvements, significant raises, significant benefits and fair working conditions that reflect how much we value our employees.”
UPTE previously worked three statewide strikes this year in addition to a fourth strike last November that was limited to the University of California, San Francisco.
