ALERT: University of California workers CANCEL Strike after Tentative Agreement Reached

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 13, 2026

CONTACT: Todd Stenhouse, 916-397-1131 (mobile), toddstenhouse@gmail.com 

STRIKE CANCELLED:  AFSCME Local 3299 Cancels Statewide UC Strike After 11th Hour Bargaining Produces Historic Tentative Contract Agreement

Oakland:  AFSCME 3299, which represents more than 42,000 University of California Service and Patient Care workers, has announced that the open-ended strike that was to begin at all UC facilities on Thursday, May 14th has been cancelled after the union reached a tentative agreement with University negotiators after around the clock bargaining this week.  The agreement was reached late tonight, and union members will vote on ratification May 19th-21st. 

AFSCME Local 3299 President Michael Avant issued the following statement:

“For nearly three years, the frontline workers that we represent have stood shoulder to shoulder, demanding the university take meaningful action to address the affordability crisis pricing them out of the communities where they work, and forcing impossible choices on their families.  Tonight we have reached a tentative agreement with the University that makes historic progress and delivers long-overdue security to the frontline service and patient care professionals who make UC run.

Under the terms agreed upon tonight, the lowest paid workers in the UC system will have won their largest wage increase ever and the most affordable healthcare rates at UC, alongside strong staffing and workplace safety protections.  It means UC’s most vulnerable workers will no longer have to choose between paying for healthcare and paying for groceries.

This process took persistence and involved great sacrifices by every single one of our members.  The tentative agreements we’ve reached ensure they will be better off, and better able to keep pace with rising costs so they can build a better future for their families.   

To be clear, our members should never have had to endure two years without a contract.  United behind core principles like fairness and dignity, they stood together, spoke truth to power, and showed that solidarity isn’t just the best antidote to injustice.  It is a rising tide that can lift all boats. 

Tomorrow, 42,000 UC Service and Patient Care Technical workers will not be on strike.  They will be back at work, doing what they love—serving UC patients and students.   And we will be urging our members to vote YES on ratifying this new agreement.”  

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