AFSCME Local 3299, a union representing over 26,000 service and patient care workers at the University of California, has been in contract negotiations with the UC administration for months. The previous contract expired on June 30, 2021, and negotiations for a new contract have been ongoing since then.

The main sticking points in the negotiations have been wages, benefits, and working conditions. AFSCME 3299 is asking for a 5% wage increase every year for the next five years, while the UC administration has offered a 3% wage increase for each of the next four years. The union is also pushing for better benefits, including improved healthcare coverage and retirement benefits.

In addition, AFSCME 3299 is seeking better working conditions, particularly for patient care workers who have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The union is calling for increased staffing levels, better training and safety measures, and more support for workers who have been affected by the pandemic.

Negotiations have been tense, with both sides accusing the other of being unwilling to compromise. In August, AFSCME 3299 authorized a strike if a new contract is not reached soon. The union has also been holding rallies and other events to raise public awareness of their cause.

The UC administration has stated that they are committed to reaching an agreement that is fair to both sides. However, they have also warned that the UC system is facing financial challenges, and that any wage increases or other benefits will have to be balanced against the need to maintain the financial stability of the university.

As the negotiations continue, it is unclear when a new contract will be reached. AFSCME 3299 is urging workers to stay informed and stay engaged in the process. The union has also encouraged workers to speak out and make their voices heard, in order to put pressure on the UC administration to come to a fair agreement.

In the meantime, workers continue to perform their vital roles on UC campuses across the state. AFSCME 3299 is hopeful that a new contract can be reached soon, in order to ensure that these workers receive the wages, benefits, and working conditions that they deserve.