After months of discussions, negotiations, and challenges with the University, our Teamsters K9 Bargaining Team has reached a settlement agreement on healthcare premium increases! Beginning January 1, 2027, annual premium increases will be capped at 5% for Blue & Gold HMO and 7.5% for Kaiser, using 2026 employee premium rates as the baseline. While this is progress toward protecting our members from rising healthcare costs, we recognize that there is still a long road ahead.
As part of the agreement, UCI and Teamsters Local 2010 have committed to begin bargaining on our successor contract early next year. This gives us an opportunity to move forward and focus our efforts on the next round of negotiations. Our goals remain the same: fight for wages that keep up with inflation and reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs. Our members deserve fair and affordable healthcare coverage, especially considering the essential work Skilled Trades employees perform every day to keep UCI operating!
“Moving forward, we need to stay organized, united, and committed to pushing for meaningful improvements. Today’s progress shows what can be accomplished when we stand together, but there is much more work to be done. Skilled Trades keep UCI running, and fair healthcare benefits should reflect the value of our work. This is only the first chapter of our next bargaining fight, and we need to keep the momentum going until we achieve the healthcare benefits our members and families deserve.”
Scott Creed
Bargaining Team Member, On-Campus Housing
Today’s agreement is an accomplishment, but it is by no means the finish line. This is just the beginning of what will be a fight with UCI. We will begin to circulate bargaining surveys this week throughout our various worksites. See the schedule for worksite meetings below.
We cannot afford to become complacent or settle for less than what we deserve. Our fight is about fairness, affordability, and ensuring that Skilled Trades employees receive the same consideration and support as other represented employees throughout the UC system!
Upcoming Worksite Meetings
Monday, 10/26: Irvine Medical Center
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Central Utility Plant
Wednesday, 10/28: UCI Los Alamitos
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Cafeteria
Thursday, 10/29: UCI Fountain Valley
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Cafeteria
Friday, 10/30: UCI Placentia Linda
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Cafeteria
Tuesday, 11/3: UCI Health (Orange
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Building 62 (Facilities Management shop)
Wednesday, 11/4: UCI Lakewood
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Cafeteria
Thursday, 11/5: UCI Campus
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: EH&S Patio
In Solidarity,
Our K9 Skilled Trades Bargaining Team:
Brian Maloney, Campus Chief Steward, Electrician
Eric Kuder, Campus Steward, Fire and Safety Asst. Supervisor
Scott Creed, Campus, Carpenter
Roque Ramos, Campus, Plumber
Nathaniel Lanning, Health, Physical Plant Specialist
Daniel Lobato, Health, Locksmith (Alternate)
John Viera, Union Representative
Tanya Akel, Chief Negotiator and Teamsters Local 2010 Field Director
Alex Vermie, Teamsters Local 2010 Research Analyst
