Strike across 18 UC campuses while the nurse union announces tentative agreement

More than 40,000 University of California employees are expected to conduct a two-day strike at 18 campuses statewide over what they say is the university's failure to settle a contract addressing the cost of living.

UC registered nurses announced a tentative agreement (TA) with the University of California on a new contract. The California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU) represents more than 25,000 RNs across 19 facilities operated by the University of California, who have been in bargaining for new contracts since June. 

Due to the TA, CNA announced that the planned Nov. 17 and Nov. 18 sympathy strikes with AFSCME 3299 were cancelled.

“University of California RNs organized for and won important patient protections at the bargaining table, like curbing the rampant misuse of floating and ensuring safeguards on artificial intelligence,” said Kristan Delmarty, RN at UCLA Santa Monica, and a member of the UC bargaining team and CNA’s board of directors. “Going into this round of bargaining, it was our priority to ensure UC nurses were given the resources to care for our patients and ourselves after years of short-staffing and under-resourcing. We achieved our goal and now we stand together with our AFSCME colleagues, whose essential work demands the same resources guaranteed by a fair contract.”

Thousands of nurses plan to join AFSCME picket lines outside of work hours. UC nurses will vote to approve the TA later this week.

The two-day action is expected to formally end Tuesday at 11:59 p.m.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, which represents more than 40,000 UC service and patient care technical workers, will lead the action. AFSCME Local 3299 reported its members -- ranging from custodians, food service workers, patient care assistants and hospital technicians -- have been working without a contract for more than a year.

The union says its members are fighting for higher wages because their current rates have not kept pace with inflation, making it difficult to pay bills and rent. Union officials argue some members have left their jobs due to low wages, which in turn has fueled a growing staff vacancy crisis within the UC system.

"During nearly two years of bargaining, UC has spent billions of dollars acquiring new facilities, lavishing exorbitant raises on its wealthiest executives and funding housing assistance programs to help these same ivory tower elites buy mansions or second homes -- but it won't offer its frontline workers enough to pay the rent or keep pace with the skyrocketing costs of groceries," Michael Avant, president of AFSCME Local 3299, said in a statement.

"Our members have had enough of UC's serial elitism, tone deafness and blatant disrespect for the workers who make this institution run, and that's why they will strike at every UC campus and medical center on Nov. 17 and 18.," he added.

While the UC anticipates that the strike may cause disruptions, officials said facilities will remain open.

"Our hospitals and clinics have contingency plans in place to ensure patients continue to receive safe, high-quality care, although some surgeries, treatments and appointments may face delays," UC said in a statement issued Nov. 6.

UC officials argued the strike is an attempt to pressure the university into accepting what was described as "unreasonable wage and benefit demands" that would place UC in a "financially precarious position and jeopardize its mission of teaching, research and public service," according to a statement issued Nov. 6.

Some 25,000 UC nurses represented by the California Nurses Association had been expected to join the strike, but that union reached a tentative contract agreement with the UC over the weekend and canceled plans to participate in the labor action.

A third union that planned to join the action rescinded its strike notice pending a membership ratification vote after reaching a tentative agreement with UC on Nov. 8.

University Professional and Technical Employees-Communications Workers of America Local 9119, representing 19,664 healthcare, research and technical professionals, began bargaining in June 2024 prior to the contract expiration on Oct. 31, 2024.

A federal monitor brokered the agreement, which provides an estimated 28% pay bump over the next four years, increases pension contributions, and caps on health care premium increases. The agreement also enhances career advancement opportunities and makes some work-life balance adjustments.

The UPTE said it would support its union colleagues as they strike.

UC officials said they have been bargaining in good faith for 21 months with the AFSCME, and have presented "strong, competitive" proposals that include significant wage increases, enhanced health care subsidies and improved benefits.

"The University of California has a proven history of reaching fair agreements that reward employees and sustain its mission. That commitment remains unchanged," according to a UC statement. "UC stands ready to return to the table and finalize fair, responsible agreements that work for employees and the entire UC community."

Additional reporting by City News Service.