UC San Francisco is preparing for a two-day labor action as part of a UC-wide strike by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). The 48-hour strike will last from 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 17, until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
The University of California (UC), which negotiates with unions on behalf of the entire UC system, remains hopeful and committed to working towards a fair and sustainable agreement with AFSCME that supports employees and advances the University's mission of service, education, and research. UC reached tentative agreements with two other unions, California Nurses Association (CNA) and University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE), both of which have cancelled plans to join the systemwide strike.
UCSF has implemented plans to minimize disruptions, maintain operations in critical areas, and support all who depend on the university and health system. Contingency plans are in place to maintain essential operations through qualified staff and adjusted workflows where needed.
With the withdrawal of the CNA strike notice, operations across UCSF Health will remain close to normal. Clinical teams are actively backfilling surgeries and procedures that were rescheduled and adding clinic appointments. Inpatient units are working to resume normal capacity, and the children's hospitals have largely returned to normal operations, including reopening to unscheduled admissions and transfers. Some delays are still expected in radiology and laboratory services, as well as enterprise-wide support services like transportation and custodial. Patients with general questions or concerns may reach out to Patient Relations .
AFSCME represents 6,683 employees at all UCSF locations, including UCSF Health's hospitals and clinics, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (ZSFG), and UCSF Fresno. While these numbers represent the total union membership, many employees choose to go to work during these strikes. UCSF does not yet know how many employees represented by AFSCME choose to participate in the strike.
Bargaining between UC and AFSCME began in January 2024. In July 2025, after 16 months of good-faith negotiations and completion of all state-required impasse procedures, UC implemented key terms from its last, best, and final offer to ensure these employees receive meaningful and immediate pay and benefit increases. Under the terms implemented, all AFSCME-represented employees now earn at least $25 an hour, effective July 2025 and receive up to $1,500 per year in health care premium credits.
Last week, UPTE agreed to a contract that includes a 5% across-the-board increase. The tentative agreement reached with CNA reflects comparable wage provisions.
