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The University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) union has canceled its planned strike after reaching an agreement on a new contract with the University of California. UPTE and UC announced the tentative agreement Saturday after 17 months of bargaining and three weeks of mediations, avoiding a strike later this month. The University of California has 10 undergraduate and graduate campuses, six academic health centers and three national laboratories across the state. There are about 21,000 UPTE members working within the UC system. Why It Matters UPTE-CWA 9119 and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) 3299, which represents custodians, food service workers and UC Service and Patient Care Technical workers, announced early this month that they would hold a two-day strike at various UC locations from Monday, November 17, to Tuesday, November 18. Nurses throughout the UC system announced they would walk picket lines in solidarity with UPTE and AFSCME. The unions said their members voted to strike over the university’s failure to agree on a contract that addressed issues of affordability, recruitment and retention and work-life balance. In an interview with Newsweek last week, Amy Fletcher, a researcher at UC Davis and member of the UPTE bargaining team, said the solidarity between the three unions demonstrates their issues are “a symptom, not a bug, of engaging with the University of California.” What To Know In a statement on its website, UPTE said this is a “major victory” for union members, noting significant pay increases over four years, predictable and progressive caps on health care premium increases and improvements in work-life balance, career progression and job security. Specific provisions include guaranteed alternatives to layoffs, improvements to the reclassification process and additional parental leave. The University of California said in a joint statement with UPTE that the finalized agreement reflects the university’s enduring commitment and UPTE’s advocacy for employees “who play critical roles across the university.” “This outcome was the result of constructive dialogue and a shared commitment to finding common ground while maintaining financial responsibility in uncertain times,” the university said. “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.” What Happens Next UPTE will hold a virtual presentation and Q&A on Wednesday via Zoom to outline the terms of the tentative agreement and answer member questions. AFSCME told Newsweek Monday that the union will still strike next week. A representative from National Nurses United also confirmed to Newsweek that members of the California Nurses Association will still join AFSCME workers on the picket lines. What People Are Saying
