UPTE-CWA Members Win Remote Work Concessions

After months of negotiations and several one-day strikes, UPTE-CWA Local 9119 members have secured a deal with the University of California San Diego (UCSD) that extends the current remote work (telehealth) policy until October 2025. This will give workers crucial time to make family or childcare adjustments and save money on transportation, easing the transition back to the office.

Members also won the ability to stay fully remote if they live outside the recall zone, to have disputes go through the formal grievance process, to work remotely up to three days out of the week on a hybrid schedule, and for affected workers to receive 30 days’ notice of any changes to the remote or hybrid work agreements.

“Telehealth increases patient access to care, particularly in places where a clinic isn’t nearby,” said UPTE-CWA UCSD Chapter Co-Chair and Counseling Psychologist Michael McGlenn. “Furthermore, workers are increasingly wanting flexibility in their lives as they’re balancing multiple responsibilities. Preserving the ability to provide remote work when feasible is good for staff recruitment and retention. It felt good fighting to preserve a work arrangement that keeps my colleagues at UCSD and protects patient care access.

“We need to continue fighting to enshrine remote work as a right and not simply an exception, as the University claims.”

UPTE-CWA members also successfully fought recent layoffs at UCSD. They are continuing to bargain with the University of California for a fair contract, safe staffing, and better care for patients.

 
UPTE-CWA UCSD Chapter Co-Chair Michael McGlenn (right) helped negotiate a deal with the University to safeguard remote work for members.

---

This post originally appeared on cwa-union.org.