More than 40,000 University of California service and patient care workers are striking Monday and Tuesday across UC campuses, citing the “university’s failure to settle contracts” that address cost of living crises.

The employees, represented by the American Federation of State, Council and Municipal Employees Local 3299, or AFSCME 3299, have been operating without a contract for more than a year. Ongoing deliberations between AFSCME and the UC concern livable wages, health care and job security.

AFSCME members lined the entrance to UC Berkeley’s campus on Bancroft Way and Telegraph Avenue. 

“The ideal contract is a livable wage for the members … We can’t afford to even live where we work,” said Kathreen Bedford, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory employee and AFSCME executive board member. “I commute an hour and a half just to come to work. Born and raised right here in the Bay Area, and I can’t afford to live. (I commute) from Stockton, 80 miles one way, 160 a day.” 

Bedford, who’s been working for the UC system for more than 20 years, raised concerns about the living conditions of other AFSCME members, some of whom are unhoused or living out of cars. 

The UC system’s last, best and final offer from April this year suggested a 5% wage increase for next year, a 4% increase for the following year and a 3% increase for the three years after that.  Additionally, over the summer the UC system implemented a 5% increase in wage and issued up to $1,500 in health care credits per year for AFSCME workers. 

According to Nico Quidang, surgical technician, workers recently had to change health insurance plans, which doubled prices for some. Quidang moved to California from Hawaii seeking higher wages, but found that the local cost of living means she does not make more money. 

On Nov. 6, AFSCME originally declared plans for more than 80,000 workers across three unions to strike. Following tentative agreements made between the UC system and the University Professional and Technical Employees CWA Local 9119, or UPTE-CWA 9119, and the California Nurses Association the workers represented by the latter two unions will no longer strike. The California Nurses Association was originally set to strike in sympathy with UPTE and AFSCME.

Members of UPTE made appearances at the strike to support AFSCME on the picket line.

“The more people you have on the picket line, the stronger your strike is, and the more UC pays attention,” said Tina Kremzner-Hsing, a campus alum and UPTE member who is a museum scientist at the UC Berkeley Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life. “I just feel really strongly about standing in solidarity … we don’t want to leave AFSCME behind.”

Two student workers at Crossroads dining hall, who requested anonymity for concern of retribution, joined the strike in solidarity, despite not being represented by AFSCME.

“One of the most meaningful conversations to me was with one of the older Cantonese workers at Crossroads. I remember after a particularly tough shift, she just kind of paused and looked at me and said, ‘I’ve been in this country for almost 40 years. I’m supposed to be rich by now, and I’m still poor,’” one of the students said.“A lot of career workers don’t get paid enough to even see their kids.” 

According to UC Office of the President spokesperson Heather Hansen, there has not been any “substantive counterproposals” since April 2025. 

Dining commons will continue to operate while campus restaurants will be closed during the strike, according to an email from Berkeley Dining sent to campus residents.