Statement on UPTE Notice to Strike

At the same time UPTE is stating that the University refuses to bargain in good faith, the parties are bargaining over key issues of importance for these valued employees. Bargaining is scheduled for today and tomorrow at UC San Diego, where dozens of members of both UPTE employees and UC will meet to continue contract negotiations. Additional sessions have been scheduled for next month.

UPTE's announcement to strike at UC San Francisco is premature and not consistent with the hard work that continues at the table to reach a fair agreement. UC denies the allegations stated in UPTE's unfair labor practice charge and will file a response that outlines its good faith bargaining efforts throughout these negotiations. Read more about our response to the ULP here.

Because bargaining is ongoing, last month, the university passed a significant economic offer that would increase these valued employees' salaries by 5 percent in year one of the contract and by 19-23 percent over the life of the proposed three-year agreement. UC has also proposed $75 or $100 monthly premium subsidies for UPTE employees and is eager to continue to negotiate these issues with the union. UC has also agreed to raise wages for all UPTE and AFSCME employees to $25 an hour by July 1, 2025.

Regarding UPTE's health care cost allegations, health care premiums for UPTE members have not changed, and will not potentially change until contracts are finalized. That said, in 2025, medical plan costs will increase for some of the five medical plans UC offers its employees. For more information, please see our recent media statement on this topic.

It is essential to note that UC's health system, especially UCSF Health is among the largest Medi-Cal providers in Northern California and is San Francisco's largest provider of hospital care for Medi-Cal patients. More than 26% of UCSF's total patient services are delivered to Medi-Cal patients.

The UC Health System is also the leading institution educating the next generation of health care professionals and delivering care for all Californians, including providing complex health care services that are limited or not available through other health systems. If access is disrupted to the critical services and procedures that UC Health's locations deliver, care could be jeopardized for Californians, including those who are the most vulnerable.

If UPTE chooses to strike, the University of California Office of the President is working closely with UC San Francisco leadership to mitigate potential impacts and ensure the critical operations of the University system, including patient care, continue at the level of excellence UC patients, students, faculty, and staff expect. 

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