Dear UCSF Community,

We have received a one-day strike notice from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union for its Service and Patient Care Technical Units (SX and EX). AFSCME’s labor action will begin Wednesday, November 13, 2019, at 12:00 a.m. and end at 11:59 p.m.

As we have stated, we respect our employees’ rights to representation and freedom of speech. At UCSF, we also have a responsibility to serve the health care needs of our patients, as well as the needs of others who rely on us for services supporting our research and education activities.

UCSF is unique because of our single focus on health research, education, and care delivery. Strikes come at a cost for everyone involved, with more missed employee work days, rescheduled appointments, and other interruptions to our ability to provide health care. As part of our mission, we have a critical responsibility to put the needs of our patients first. We must take actions that include recruiting replacement workers to minimize the impact of the strike, which unfairly places our patients in the middle of a labor dispute.

Our colleagues who are represented by AFSCME will be making personal decisions about whether they will report to work on November 13, and it is imperative that we all treat each other with respect and professionalism.

We recognize that strikes create hardships for our union-represented colleagues as well. Our colleagues who are represented by AFSCME are essential to UCSF’s success. They serve in a range of important functions and services, from providing patient care to ensuring efficient operational services across our campus and health system. We ask everyone to remember that we could not deliver on our mission without the contributions of our AFSCME-represented colleagues, as well as the rest of our valued and dedicated team, whether they are union-represented or not.

As you know, the UC Office of the President handles labor negotiations on behalf of the UC system. On October 15, 2019, UCOP presented to AFSCME union leaders a comprehensive contract proposal that included wage increases and benefits similar to what other unions at UCSF recently received. Key highlights include:

• Wage increases: A total of 23% in across-the-board wage increases for service unit staff, and a total of 18% in across-the-board wage increases for patient care technical unit staff over the next five years.
• Step increases: For the Service Unit, a wage step increase in each of two years of the contract. For the PCT Unit – an annual experience-based wage step increase program.
• Shift differential: An increase in shift differential to a minimum of $1.00 per hour.
• Pension benefits: New bargaining unit employees will receive the same pension benefits as current AFSCME-represented employees.
• Health benefits: The same graduated salary-based rates as other employees, plus a $25 cap on increases for Kaiser and Health Net Blue & Gold plans.

You can learn about the details of the current UC offer by visiting the In the Know website.

AFSCME is the only statewide staff union still working in the UC system without a contract for the employees it represents. We are hopeful that the union and UC will reach a fair and equitable resolution soon, so that we can devote our collective focus to serving the health care needs of our patients and advancing health.

Sincerely,

Sam Hawgood, MBBS
Chancellor
Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock Distinguished Professor

Mark R. Laret
President and CEO
UCSF Health