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30m ago

UC Nurses Reach Deal as AFSCME Sets Monday Walkout

The split outcomes underscore unresolved pay and staffing disputes for UC's lowest-paid workers.

UPTE-CWA, representing 21,000 employees in health care, research and technical jobs — called off its strike earlier this month when it reached a tentative agreement with the University of California.
A union representing 40,000 University of California workers at UCSF and other campuses statewide plans to strike Monday after two other unions reached contract agreements.  
Union President Michael Avant of AFSCME Local 3299 speaks at a rally for “May Day” on May 1, 2025 at Balboa Park in Bankers Hill. Unions representing postal workers, grocery workers, and teachers were in attendance. The California Nurses Association reached a tentative agreement with UC on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, leaving only AFSCME Local 3299 left to work out a deal for its nearly 40,000 workers. (Ariana Drehsler / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
UC Service and Patient Care workers go on strike outside of UCSD Medical Center on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Ana Ramirez / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Overview

  • The California Nurses Association and UC announced a tentative four-year agreement covering roughly 24,000–25,000 nurses, canceling this week’s planned two-day strike pending a ratification vote.
  • AFSCME Local 3299, representing about 40,000 service and patient care technical workers statewide, still plans a multi-day walkout starting Monday, according to union spokesman Todd Stenhouse.
  • UC says it earlier declared an impasse and implemented a last offer to raise pay to $25 an hour by July 1 or by 5%, while arguing AFSCME’s demands would strain university finances.
  • Union leaders cite low pay and chronic understaffing, saying long commutes and attrition have pushed more than a third of service and patient care technical workers out over the past three years.
  • UPTE-CWA reached a separate tentative deal earlier this month, and Sharp HealthCare nurses announced a Nov. 26–29 strike at Sharp Chula Vista, with employers preparing contingency staffing and rescheduling non-urgent care.