The University of California has offered American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees-represented employees pay increases totaling nearly 32.3% over five years under its proposed contract.
AFSCME represents roughly 38,800 patient care technical and service employees across UC’s 10 campuses and five medical centers, as well as clinics, research laboratories and other facilities.
Under UC’s proposal, eligible employees would receive a 7% increase in 2026 through a combination of across-the-board wage and step increases, followed by a 6% increase in 2027, 5.5% in 2028 and 5% in 2029, according to a Feb. 27 university release. When compounded and including a 5% increase received in 2025, the total pay growth would equal nearly 32.3%, UC said.
The proposal would also set a $25 per hour minimum pay rate for every employee. It also includes $1,000 longevity payments for employees with 20 years of service, retirement-eligible lump-sum payments, continued premium reductions for certain lower-paid employees enrolled in Kaiser or UC Blue & Gold plans, and a 5% annual cap on Blue & Gold premium increases beginning in 2027.
Since negotiations began in 2024, union members have staged strikes during the bargaining process. The parties have reached tentative agreements on several contract provisions, including performance evaluations, arbitration procedure, discipline and dismissal, nondiscrimination in employment, and seniority.
The union acknowledged marginal progress in negotiations but said the university’s proposals would leave members worse off financially, citing rising healthcare costs and housing challenges.
“We will continue to offer counter-proposals and engage at the table in good faith,” AFSCME said in a statement shared with Becker’s. “But UC’s continued failure to address the affordability crisis plaguing its essential front-line workforce — more than three years since bargaining began and more than a year and half since their last contracts expired — has been a failure of leadership that disrespects both our members and the patients and students we serve every day.”
Negotiations are scheduled to resume March 10-11.
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