AFSCME Local 3299 Calls Off UC Strike After Securing New Agreement

AFSCME Local 3299 Reaches Agreement with University of California, Avoiding Historic Strike

The planned strike by members of AFSCME Local 3299 was called off after negotiators secured an agreement with the University of California (UC) just hours before the deadline. This resolution came after two years of negotiations aimed at improving conditions for service and patient care workers across UC campuses.

The new agreement promises higher wages, improved health care affordability, and better staffing levels for UC employees. These advancements were achieved during intense, late-night discussions ahead of a midnight strike deadline, resulting in pay increases and a higher minimum wage for thousands of UC workers.

Announced early Thursday morning, the tentative deal is set for a union member vote next week. Michael Avant, President of Local 3299, praised the agreement, stating, “It means UC’s most vulnerable workers will no longer have to choose between paying for health care and paying for groceries.” Avant, who is also a patient transporter at UC San Diego Medical Center, emphasized the sacrifices made by union members to secure this deal.

The potential ratification of this agreement represents a significant victory for UC employees whose wages have struggled to keep up with living costs. It further highlights the power of collective bargaining and organization among workers when facing management's challenging terms.

This strike, if it had proceeded, would have marked the first open-ended strike in the history of the UC health care network, underscoring the historical significance of these negotiations.