The University of California announced in a statement yesterday that it will enter mediation with United Auto Workers — the union representing tens of thousands of striking UC academic employees — in efforts to resolve the strike and reach agreements on new contracts.
The move followed months of negotiations and concessions between the university and bargaining teams for Student Researchers United and United Auto Workers (UAW) 2865 as the unions sought to produce new contracts for their members that include updated raises in child care benefits — talks that ultimately failed to manifest in an agreement.
UAW 5810, another of the three striking unions, reached tentative agreements on new contracts on Nov. 29 but have continued striking in solidarity.
The UC said in the statement that the move to mediation — requested by the UC at least seven times over the course of negotiations — is intended to help alleviate recent gridlock in contract negotiations.
“The University is pleased that the UAW has agreed to neutral private mediation so that we may resolve our differences and end the strike that has been impacting our students, faculty, and staff,” UC Executive Director of Systemwide Labor Relations Letitia Silas said in the statement.
The timeline for mediation proceedings will arrive “soon,” according to the statement. Until then, both the UC and unions are barred from speaking publicly about negotiations.
