UC's 40,000 AFSCME workers ratify four-year deal with 21.5% wage increases

AFSCME Local 3299: AFSCME Local 3299 ratified the contract on May 22 by a 96.4% vote. The agreement covers roughly 40,000 patient care technical and service workers across UC — custodians, food service workers, medical assistants, respiratory therapists — including the workforce at UC Riverside and UCR Health. Two-thirds of covered workers are at the academic health centers at UCSF, UCLA, UC Irvine, UC Davis, and UC San Diego.

The deal runs through Nov. 30, 2029. It includes annual wage and step increases totaling about 21.5% over the life of the contract, a $1,500 lump-sum payment, a $30.10/hr minimum wage by 2029, capped health premium increases, and additional longevity pay. The ratification followed multiple limited-duration strikes during negotiations after the prior contracts expired in 2024.