CU-UAW and CalArts met on June 10, 2026, for a consolidated bargaining session covering all employee units.
During the session, the parties reached and signed a tentative agreement (TA) on Parking and Transit and Work Travel. CU-UAW responded with revised proposals on (1) Staff Compensation, (2) Regular/Technical Faculty Compensation, (3) Special Faculty Compensation and (4) Health Benefits. The compensation articles primarily proposed setting minimum pay rates within the units and the health benefits proposal led to further discussions on the emergency healthcare fund and potential for future bids with alternative group insurance arrangements (known as healthcare captives).
CalArts also presented counter proposals on articles for (1) Leaves and (2) Professional Development. CalArts’ proposed Leave article introduced a significant new benefit: supplemental paid parental leave for eligible employees, providing that CalArts would top-off any pay provided through California Paid Family Leave (PFL), allowing for 100% base salary coverage for eight weeks. The Professional Development article outlined development funds for each individual unit.
The session concluded with the scheduling of upcoming hybrid and virtual sessions for June 17 and June 24 to focus on specific unit bargaining and broader economics. In addition, the parties discussed a potential July schedule that would increase sessions significantly.