California’s Public Employment Relations Board ends mediation between UC and AFSCME

Mediation between the University of California and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) ended unexpectedly today after it was canceled by the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB).

The mediation was ordered after AFSCME declared an impasse on contract negotiations in July; the University did not oppose the declaration and had hoped the session would produce consensus for the two new contracts.

While 15 days of mediation were allotted as part of the impasse resolution attempt, PERB called off mediation today, a day and a half after convening, sooner than UC anticipated.

"PERB conducts mediation between parties hundreds of times a year and is experienced in dealing with parties and negotiations, so UC trusts that PERB believed that mediation would not be productive," said Missy Matella, associate vice president for Systemwide Employee and Labor Relations for the University.

Now that mediation has concluded, the fact-finding step in the impasse process begins: a three-person panel (one neutral person, plus one person chosen by each party) will meet with the parties or their representatives to consider their respective positions.

"From the beginning of contract negotiations in January, we have offered robust and meaningful proposals designed to address the union's requests early in the process," Matella said. "We have responded with generous counter-proposals and have remained committed to continuing good-faith bargaining and a productive relationship with AFSCME, as we do with all our unions. We are disappointed that AFSCME is not matching our level of commitment to our employees. These employees are tremendously valued and serve as the backbone of University operations, and deserve an efficient resolution to these negotiations and a fair contract."

Since January, the two parties have met for 20 days in total. UC has offered 26 proposals, including historic wage increases, expanded sick leave provisions, and new health care credits to offset costs. UC has also responded to AFSCME's proposals at the table with 36 counter-proposals, each time bargaining in good faith and moving toward AFSCME's asks to facilitate agreement.

The University introduced wage proposals in February and counter-proposals in July, which include a 5 percent across-the-board increase in 2025 and increasing the minimum wage for AFSCME employees to $25 an hour by July 1, 2025. The proposals support these valued employees and directly met AFSCME's $25/5 percent wage demands.

AFSCME passed 42 proposals early in bargaining but hasn't passed a proposal since May and has only provided three counter-proposals to UC's proposals.

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