This post was updated Nov. 11 at 11:31 p.m.

The UC and the University Professional and Technical Employees-Communications Workers of America 9119 reached a contractual agreement Saturday after 17 months of bargaining. 

The union, which represents 18,000 researchers and technical workers, also called off its Nov. 17 and 18 strike across the UC. The union decided to strike alongside the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 – which represents more than 37,000 service, patient care and skilled workers – in response to the UC’s alleged failure to settle fair contracts. 

[Related: UPTE-CWA 9119, AFSCME Local 3299 to strike Nov. 17-18, backed by CNA]

Todd Stenhouse, a spokesperson for AFSCME Local 3299, said AFSCME Local 3299 still plans to strike Nov. 17 and 18. 

The California Nurses Association’s UC nurses announced plans to strike in solidarity with AFSCME Local 3299. Michelle Morris, a spokesperson for the CNA, said in an emailed statement that the CNA’s UC nurses still plan to go through with their solidarity strike.

UPTE-CWA 9119 and the UC Office of the President said in a joint statement Saturday morning that they reached an agreement following three weeks of mediation. Talks broke down earlier this week, but UPTE-CWA 9119 approached the mediator to reengage, they added in the statement. 

“The finalized agreement reflects the University’s enduring commitment and UPTE’s advocacy for our employees who play critical roles across the University,” UPTE-CWA 9119 and UCOP said in the statement. “This outcome was the result of constructive dialogue and a shared commitment to finding common ground while maintaining financial responsibility in uncertain times.”

UPTE-CWA 9119 released the tentative agreement Monday, which would increase union members’ pay by at least 8% in 2025. Employees would receive a 2% step increase – or a 2% pensionable lump sum for those at the top step – along with a 5% across-the-board raise or a $25 minimum wage and a retroactive 1% increase in title-specific equity.

The union members would receive a 7% raise in January 2026, which includes a minimum 2% step increase and a 5% across-the-board raise in July. In 2027 and 2028, the UC would provide union members with a 6% pay increase – a 2% step increase in January and a 4% across-the-board raise in July.

Union members who work at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory would receive a 7% increase across the board in 2025 and 2026 and a 6% increase across the board in 2027 and 2028.

The contract would ensure that employees who use UC Blue & Gold HMO or Kaiser Permanente health care plans do not see an increase higher than $64 from the subsidies they paid in 2024. It would also cap monthly employee premium cost increases and subsidies in 2027 and 2028.

Employees would receive full holiday pay, additional unpaid parental leave and an additional floating holiday. The UC must implement an “Alternatives to Layoffs” process before layoffs are implemented – which includes offering the employee other open positions – as well as preferential rehiring at all campuses, not just the laid-off person’s home campus.

“UPTE’s 2025 Tentative Agreement includes major wins across each of our ‘buckets’ of priorities,” UPTE-CWA 9119’s website said. “Each and every win is the result of the sacrifice of UPTE members, unit, and workplace representatives at every hospital, campus, clinic, and location who walked picket lines and organized their coworkers.”

Union members will vote to ratify the contract from Nov. 13 to Nov. 20, according to UPTE-CWA 9119’s website.

A UC Office of the President spokesperson said in a Thursday statement that the Nov. 17 and 18 strike would put the University in a “financially precarious position” and jeopardize its mission of teaching and research. 

UPTE-CWA 9119 went on strike four times during the 2024-25 academic year – three of which were joint strikes with AFSCME Local 3299 and took place at UCLA. Most dining halls on the Hill closed during the strikes, and some campus operations – like custodial and mail room services – were limited. 

[Related: UPTE-CWA 9119, AFSCME Local 3299 strike in response to UC system hiring freezes]

UPTE-CWA 9119 began negotiations with the UC in June 2024, and its contract expired in October 2024. 

The union sought support from the UC amid inflation and a cost of living crisis, said Max Belasco, the co-chair of UCLA’s chapter of UPTE-CWA 9119.

It also wanted help in attracting and retaining talent to the UC, Belasco added, alleging that short staffing has negatively affected the University’s education, research and healthcare services. 

Dan Russell, the president and chief negotiator for UPTE-CWA 9119, said in a written statement that it has rescinded its strike notice. UPTE-CWA 9119 is in support of AFSCME Local 3299 as it strikes for a similar agreement, Russell said.

“Our tentative agreement is a hard-won victory for 21,000 healthcare, research, and technical professionals across UC – and one that will benefit millions of UC patients and students, as well as people across the world who benefit from UC’s cutting-edge research,” he said in the statement.

Contributing reports from Alexandra Crosnoe, News editor.