The University of California (UC) system, one of the nation's largest public university networks, is bracing for potential widespread disruption as more than 40,000 service and patient care workers prepare for what could be the first open-ended strike in its history. Represented by AFSCME Local 3299, these essential employees—from custodians and dining staff to radiology technicians and patient transporters—have announced plans to walk out beginning May 14, 2026, across all 10 UC campuses and five medical centers unless contract negotiations yield significant concessions. This escalation comes after over two years of stalled talks, highlighting deepening tensions over wages, healthcare costs, and housing affordability in California's high-cost regions.

UC's workforce has long been the backbone of its operations, supporting everything from daily campus maintenance to critical patient care at facilities like UCLA Medical Center and UCSF Health. With average salaries around $62,000 annually, many workers struggle amid soaring living expenses, leading to high turnover rates—a third have left in recent years. The threat of an indefinite work stoppage underscores broader challenges in higher education labor relations, where essential staff often bear the brunt of budget pressures while enabling academic and medical missions.

Who Are the Workers and What Do They Do?

AFSCME Local 3299 represents approximately 40,000 employees in two main units: Service (SX) workers, including custodians who clean dorms and classrooms, food service staff managing dining halls, gardeners maintaining grounds, and skilled craftspeople like plumbers and electricians; and Patient Care Technical (EX) workers, such as nurse aides, patient transporters, radiology technologists, and lab support staff. These roles are indispensable for smooth campus life and healthcare delivery.

At campuses like UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC Santa Barbara (UCSB), SX workers ensure hygienic environments and nourishing meals for over 300,000 students systemwide. In hospitals, EX staff handle vital tasks, from transporting patients to operating imaging equipment, directly impacting care quality. Many are women and people of color, performing labor-intensive jobs with limited upward mobility.

A Timeline of Negotiations and Escalation

Bargaining began in January 2024 after contracts expired—EX unit on July 31, 2024, and SX on October 31, 2024. Despite 17 months of sessions, progress stalled, prompting UC to implement its last, best, and final offer (LBFO) in June 2025, including automatic minimum wage hikes to $25 per hour. The union responded with two unfair labor practice (ULP) charges to California's Public Employment Relations Board: one alleging refusal to bargain over housing benefits, another over unilateral changes to wages and healthcare.

Short strikes punctuated talks—five one- or multi-day actions over two years, including a November 2025 two-day walkout affecting UCSB's 600 members. Recent deals with other unions, like UPTE's 21,000 healthcare workers (November 2025) and CNA nurses (same month), averted larger actions. The next session is April 21, 2026, but the union's May 14 strike notice signals impatience.

Core Demands Versus UC's Proposals

The union seeks substantial wage hikes beyond UC's offers, arguing current pay fails California's cost of living—rents in Los Angeles exceed 50% of median income. They demand lower healthcare premiums (some doubled post-LBFO), emergency housing aid akin to faculty home-buying loans, and better staffing to curb turnover.

UC counters with a revised April 9, 2026, proposal: 32.3% total pay growth through 2029 (e.g., senior custodian from $70,789 to $89,201; lab tech from $88,200 to $111,140), $1,000 ratification bonus, longevity pay, and health cost caps (over 16,000 pay under $100 monthly). Spokesperson Heather Hansen called it their "highest-value offer," sustainable amid budget constraints from declining enrollment and state funding shortfalls.

Disputes center on housing—union wants broad assistance; UC limits to select groups—and bargaining faith, with AFSCME President Michael Avant decrying executive perks versus worker struggles: "We are not demanding millions... or free homes for chancellors."

Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash

Historical Context of UC Labor Struggles

UC's labor history dates to 1950s strikes, but recent years saw escalation. The 2022 UAW strike by 48,000 academic workers lasted six weeks, securing gains amid pandemic strains. November 2025 saw coordinated actions by AFSCME, UPTE, and nurses, pressuring deals. These reflect national trends in higher ed, where adjuncts, grad students, and staff push back against stagnant pay amid rising tuition and executive salaries (UC chancellors earn $500k+).

Past outcomes varied: short strikes raised awareness, leading to concessions like 2025's averted walkouts. However, persistent issues like staffing shortages—13,000 healthcare workers lost recently—persist, threatening service quality.

Potential Disruptions on UC Campuses

Students could face closed or limited dining halls, unclean dorms, and maintenance delays, echoing past strikes' inconveniences. At UCSB, 600 workers' absence might halt meal services, affecting 25,000 undergrads. Faculty rely on these staff for lab setups and event support, potentially slowing research—a UC hallmark with $8 billion annual output.

Classes unlikely to cancel, but morale dips; past strikes saw petitions for support. Administrators plan contingencies like cross-training, but prolonged action risks academic calendar slips, especially finals.

Impacts on UC Health Hospitals and Patients

UC Health serves 2.5 million patients yearly across facilities like Ronald Reagan UCLA and UCSF. Strike could delay non-emergency procedures, imaging, transports—critical for vulnerable groups. Emergency care continues, but backlogs grow; 2025 strikes postponed appointments.

Patient safety concerns rise with staffing shortages; union cites vacancies exacerbating burnout. UC vows minimal disruption via temps/managers, but experts warn prolonged strikes strain systems, as in 2022's academic action.

Stakeholder Perspectives

Workers like UCLA's Monica Martinez share housing woes: single moms doubling up. Students mixed—sympathy for low pay but frustration over disruptions. Faculty often back unions, per past solidarity. Admins emphasize fiscal reality: UC's $20B+ budget faces enrollment drops, state cuts.

Experts view it as affordability crisis symptom; CA's minimum wage $16.50 lags Bay Area rents ($3,000+ one-bedrooms). Solutions? Multi-perspective: binding arbitration, state funding boosts.

Photo by Heye Jensen on Unsplash

Economic and Broader Higher Ed Implications

CA's third-largest employer, UC's strike could cost millions daily, ripple to local economies. Nationally, mirrors Ivy League, public uni disputes—e.g., Harvard's 2023 grad strike. Highlights essential workers' undervaluation amid $1.8T higher ed market.

Turnover erodes expertise; solutions include tiered wages, housing subsidies. Future: if resolved, sets precedent; if not, escalates to PERB rulings.

Path Forward: Negotiations, Contingencies, and Outlook

April 21 talks critical; union's advance notice aids planning. UC preps backups; students urged to stock food. Optimism from recent deals, but ULP cases prolong.

Constructive paths: joint affordability taskforce, state aid ($7.9B UC budget request). Strike could galvanize support, yielding gains like 2022's. Higher ed watches, as resolutions shape labor norms.