UC: We Won't Give Up Our Healthcare Premium Caps!
UC Chancellors and Medical Center CEOs
Our Teamsters Bargaining Team began negotiations with the University of California on Sept. 16 to secure, among other things, fair pay and maintenance of affordable healthcare in our next collective bargaining agreement. During negotiations so far, the UC Bargaining Team has proposed removing the caps that CX Unit members have had on healthcare premiums since becoming Teamsters 15 years ago.
The UC system brings in billions annually through public funding and rising student tuition, yet continues to push more costs onto its own workers. From skyrocketing premiums and copays to increased parking fees, UC’s actions contradict its stated commitment to public service.
UC claims it cannot absorb rising healthcare costs—but we know better. If UC can afford to invest in Big Ten college ball players, lavish new construction projects and generous raises for top administrators, it can afford to protect workers from exorbitant healthcare premium increases. With multi-billion-dollar hospitals and medical centers under its umbrella, UC has the resources to keep healthcare affordable for the workers who keep the system running.
Many UC employees are already struggling to make ends meet. Asking us to shoulder even more healthcare costs is unacceptable. World-class universities need world-class staff—and that means respecting our health, our pay, and our dignity. Top talent deserves top dollar!
I'm signing this petition to demand that UC continue the caps on premium increases for CX Unit workers and maintain the healthcare benefits outlined in our current contract.
Petition by
To:
UC Chancellors and Medical Center CEOs
From:
[Your Name]
Chancellors and Medical Center Executives,
The University of California receives billions annually through public funding, tuition, research grants, and its expansive health system. Yet UC employees—who are the backbone of this institution—continue to face rising costs for essential benefits, especially healthcare.
We are deeply concerned about the increasing burden of healthcare premiums being shifted onto workers. Many employees are already stretched thin, and further premium hikes threaten their financial stability and well-being. While executive salaries grow and new facilities rise, frontline staff are being asked to shoulder more of the cost for basic coverage. This is unacceptable.
We call on UC leadership to commit to capping healthcare premium increases and ensuring that quality, affordable healthcare remains accessible to all employees. We urge you to show leadership in upcoming negotiations by protecting workers from exorbitant healthcare costs and reaffirming your commitment to equity and respect for all UC employees. A world-class university and medical institution cannot thrive without the dedicated workers who keep it running every day.
We expect you to demonstrate leadership by committing to fair, equitable compensation and benefits during upcoming negotiations. World-class universities call for top talent. Top talent deserves top dollar!