What We've Won

Who We Are

Over the last several rounds of contract negotiations, we’ve managed to win more paid vacation, sick, and holiday time for AFSCME-represented UC workers than all other workers; we’ve managed to freeze health premiums to ensure affordable healthcare for families; and we’ve managed to secure wages that keep up with the rising cost of living.

Today, we’re fighting to protect what we’ve earned over AFSCME’s 70-year history at UC while pushing the University—which is the state’s 3rd largest employer—to create a more equitable California for the communities in which UC operates.

AFSCME 3299 is run for our members, by our members.

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UC Berkeley workers organize the first AFSCME affiliate at the University of California and win a 10% wage increase for Custodians by the following year.

UC Berkeley Custodians stage the 1st strike in the University of California’s history. Custodians ultimately win wage increases and the 1st ever UC benefits package.

UC Berkeley Guards and Laboratory Police vote to join AFSCME.

Custodians, Guards, Laboratory Police, and other UC workers organize to win a 5% wage increase.

UC Berkeley Clerical and Technical workers vote to join AFSCME.

AFSCME-represented UC Berkeley workers pass resolutions demanding the release of political prisoners held in the United States and an end to the Vietnam War.

UC Berkeley Dormitory Maids vote to join AFSCME to fight against racial and gender discrimination at work. The following year, they win a new contract.

AFSCME- represented UC Berkeley workers stage a 10-week walkout—ultimately winning prevailing wages, a “non-discrimination” pledge, grievance and arbitration procedures, and fully paid health coverage.

The Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act is made law, allowing collective bargaining. UC attempts to limit union organizing, but withdraws after opposition from AFSCME workers.

UC workers win a 14.5% wage increase after AFSCME- represented workers call on state lawmakers to override Governor Jerry Brown’s decision to block the raise.

AFSCME represented UC workers join the Anti-Apartheid Movement on University campuses and deepen the union’s culture of social justice advocacy.

30,000 Patient Care, Service, and Clerical workers across the UC system vote to join AFSCME.

AFSCME- represented workers win the 1st statewide union contract at UC, which included a paid holiday commemorating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

UCSF proposes an “English Only” rule, prompting workers to file a discrimination complaint against UC with EEOC. The rule is rescinded after a 2-year campaign.

AFSCME members lead relief effort for those affected by the devastating Northridge earthquake that struck SoCal’s San Fernando Valley and injured more than 9,000 people.

On June 1st, AFSCME’s 22 different affiliates at the University of California vote to unite as one statewide union, giving birth to AFSCME Local 3299.

California enacts “Fair Share” laws, granting all UC workers union representation. The organizing of newly represented workers results in 3299’s Member Action Team (MAT) structure.

AFSCME’s Service and Patient Care workers win a wage increase. A year later, patient care workers win additional protections for temporary workers.

AFSCME 3299 begins campaigning against outsourcing at UC, eventually ending UC Santa Cruz’s outsourcing of dining hall and custodial services to the infamous corporation Sodexho.

Service workers stage the first statewide strike at the University of California and win a new contract from administrators after one day of work stoppages.

Custodians from UC’s Service Unit win a wage equity campaign after engaging in civil disobedience actions and urging keynote speakers to boycott UC’s graduation ceremonies.

Service and Patient Care workers begin a unified campaign involving pickets, civil disobedience, and a strike. Patient Care wins a contract with guaranteed step increases.

In response to public scrutiny, UC Davis hires 200 Sodexho workers that were previously outsourced and continued to campaign for a new contract.

Service workers stage a sit-in at the private office of UC’s Board of Regents Chairman, winning in a new contract with guaranteed step increases.

Professional, Clerical, and Service workers at UC Hastings College of the Law vote to join AFSCME Local 3299.

AFSCME Local 3299 members embark on an initiative to expand the Member Action Team leadership structure and win stronger contracts.

Patient Care strikes for the first time, with Service workers joining in sympathy. UC forces contract terms on workers in response.

Service and Patient Care workers announce 2 additional week-long strikes, forcing UC to settle. UC workers win contracts with historic staffing protections and wage increases.

After 18 months of organizing efforts, UC Hastings workers win their 2nd contract—with across the board wage increases, secure benefits, and new staffing protections.

3299’s own Kathryn Lybarger becomes the first UC union leader to be elected President of the California Labor Federation, which represents 2.1 million working Californians.

UC workers recommit to their union after the Trump Administration and corporate groups facilitate the end of “Fair Share” laws through the Janus decision.

Stalled negotiations push Service workers—and thousands of Nurses, Patient Care, and Technical workers joining in sympathy—to stage the largest strike in UC history.

Six months after a Service workers strike, Patient Care follows suit. Service and Technical workers strike in sympathy to protest the outsourcing of UC jobs.

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