The University of California and the union representing 21,000 health, research and technical professionals in the UC system reached a collective agreement and defended the strike, the University and the University announced Saturday.
The union, university workers and technical workers (Upte), has been negotiating with UC for 17 months for a new contract, and the two sides have been mediating for three weeks. After talks broke down earlier this week, UC said Upte approached a mediator about rejoining the University.
The union was scheduled to strike on November 17 and 18 and was joined by more than 60,000 supporters from two additional UC unions, AFSCME 3299 and the California Nurses Assem.
Unions say it would be the largest labor strike in UC history. AFSCME 3299 represents patient technical workers, custodians, food workers, custodians, secretaries, secretaries and other workers in hospitals and UC settings.
UC and Upte said the details of the tentative contract, which union members must confirm, will be released next week. Prior to the agreement, the workers at Upte wanted investment from UC to UC, pay and ensure safe conditions to help deal with difficulties that the Union says “threatens patient care, student services and the research mission at the heart of the UC system.”
“The completed agreement demonstrates the University’s permanent commitment and the independence of UPTE for our employees who play critical roles throughout the university,” a joint statement from UC and UPTE read. “Both parties acknowledge and appreciate the spirit of cooperation that allowed us to move forward and reach a resolution that supports our valuable employees and the University of California’s excellence.”
Upte saved its strike notice pending a vote to approve membership, according to a statement from Dan Russell, Upte president and CEO.
“Our agreement is the tenth hard-won victory for 21,000 health care, research, and technology professionals at UC — and one that will benefit millions of UC patients and students who benefit from UC’s cutting-edge research,” Russell said. “We continue to stand with AFSCME members and CNA members as they fight and strike the same deal for their members.”
Meredith Turner, UC OPIRE’s President of External Relations and Communications, said the agreement was the result of “constructive dialogue and a shared commitment to finding a balanced fiscal burden while being fiscally responsible in uncertain times.”
Curner had previously objected to the strike, saying in a video statement posted online Thursday that UC was “disappointed, but not surprised, that Upte once again chose to walk out of the conversation.”
He said UC has been communicating in good faith, offering “real progress, meaningful growth, strong benefits and fair benefits and working conditions that show how much we value our employees.”
UPTE has previously been involved in three ship strikes this year in addition to the fourth strike last November, which was limited to UC San Francisco.
