Dear Bruin Community:
We anticipate that members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) will engage in an indefinite strike at all UC locations starting May 14, 2026. Employees represented by AFSCME include those who provide patient support services and service workers who provide custodial, transportation, dining, and other support services at campuses and medical centers.
UCLA respects employees’ rights to engage in lawful, protected activity. The university is also planning to support continuity of instruction, research and essential services.
UC has presented proposals to address affordability concerns for employees, delivering even stronger wage growth, new financial protections and meaningful improvements to working conditions. UC has continued to offer substantial, solutions-oriented financial proposals amid a difficult time for our entire university system, as we face significant budget challenges at the local campus level, made worse by funding reductions at the state and federal levels. For updates on bargaining, please visit UCnet.
UCLA, including UCLA Health and the David Geffen School of Medicine, are developing plans to minimize disruptions to campus and clinical operations, and potentially affected units have received direct outreach from UCLA Employee & Labor Relations. All UCLA Health hospitals and clinics will remain open and operational. University employees in supervisory or managerial roles should refrain from engaging in conversations with union members about any aspects of a strike, including discussions about whether union members will participate in strike activities. It is also important that supervisors and managers avoid making statements that condemn or praise individuals’ strike activities, and refrain from directly dealing with union members regarding negotiations or grievances. These guidelines also apply to social media postings.
In general, individuals on strike are legally permitted to picket near the exterior of university properties and building entrances. Strike conduct that is unlawful or violates university policy includes, but is not limited to, blocking vehicles and/or persons from accessing a property/facility/building; preventing people from walking freely across spaces generally open to the public; interfering with meetings, classes, research or other university functions/scheduled events that are part of regular campus operational activities; threatening violence; vandalizing/defacing university property; and physical attacks. The safety of our community is paramount and remains the priority during strikes and other related activities.
If you have additional questions, please contact UCLA Campus Human Resources, Employee & Labor Relations at Labor.Relations@chr.ucla.edu or UCLA Health Human Resources, Employee & Labor Relations at UCLAHealthLaborRelations@mednet.ucla.edu.
Additional Resources
- Latest bargaining updates, public notices and other news for represented employees
- Frequently asked questions about union representation at UC
- Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Creative Activities guidance for maintaining research continuity
- Teaching & Learning Center resources for maintaining instructional continuity in case of potential campus disruptions
- Health and well-being resources for students, faculty and staff
- Anticipated activities may affect delivery services
- UCLA Time, Place and Manner Policies webpage
- Visit Bruins Safe Online for campus operational updates
Thank you for your understanding as the UC continues to move forward. We are hopeful that an agreement can be reached soon.
Sincerely,
Darnell Hunt
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
Christine Lovely
Vice Chancellor for Campus Human Resources and Chief People Officer