UC Workers Ask for State Mediator

After months of unsuccessful negotiations, the union representing nearly 7,300 University of California service workers has declared impasse and asked a state mediator to help both sides reach an agreement.

The union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the university have been bargaining since the worker’s old contract expired in June but have been unable to agree on contract issues including pay and a job advancement system.

Of the 7,300 workers represented under the contract, roughly 700 work at UC Berkeley.

According to Faith Raider, a union spokesperson, 10,000 patient-care and technical workers who staff the hospitals run by UC were engaged in a similar contract fight last year but were able to reach an agreement after asking a mediator to step in.

“We hope [the mediator] will get us what we need,” Raider said.

Raider said AFSCME, unlike other unions, is restricted from escalating its fight against the university until they declare an impasse and meet with a mediator. Other unions can threaten to boycott or strike as soon as their contract expires.

The first meeting between the two sides was Monday. Raider said they will continue to meet as long as the mediator thinks there is still room for negotiation.