CalArts and the CU-UAW (“Union”) agreed to arbitrate the question of whether certain individuals employed at the Institute were eligible to be included in the bargaining units represented by the Union due to their role and responsibilities at the Institute. Over the weekend, on Jan. 24, 2026, the arbitrator issued her decision finding that most of those individuals are eligible to be in the bargaining units based on her understanding of applicable standards under the National Labor Relations Act.
The arbitrator also found 11 individuals to be ineligible, and found the status of four individuals to be inconclusive based on the evidence submitted. The status of those four may be decided at a future hearing as agreed to by the parties. For now, they are not included in the bargaining units.
Both the Institute and the Union participated in the arbitration preparations and proceedings in good faith. The Institute will respect the arbitrator’s decision and honor the inclusion of eligible individuals in the bargaining units, although the Institute disagrees with the arbitrator’s handling of this important matter and her application of the law.
We thank everyone in our campus community for your understanding and patience as we worked through the process, which was intended to be non-adversarial and to give the necessary clarity as to the status of certain individuals with respect to inclusion in the bargaining units.
As we look forward to continuing our good faith negotiations with the Union for first contracts covering the bargaining units, we remain committed to working collaboratively with the Union to reach fair agreements that recognize the important role of our faculty and staff while also ensuring operational feasibility and fiscal responsibility. In the meantime, CalArts policies and procedures continue to apply until the Parties have reached agreement on the contracts.
Please contact Human Resources with any questions.