FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – Union Election Aug 18-29
Check out our election homepage as well to learn more about the choice we have to make in the upcoming vote to form Research & Public Service Professionals-UAW, a union of, by, and for UC staff. Many of our colleagues have also shared stories on why they’re ready to get out the pro-union vote on our Instagram @rpsp.uaw and on our website’s RPSP Voices page.
I have a problem with my ballot of some kind (I can’t access it, it’s not working correctly, I didn’t get one and believe I should have, etc.). What should I do?
First, search your email for the subject line “ELECTION: Research and Public Service Professionals-UAW,” which should have been sent to you on the morning of Monday, August 18th. The sender is AAAElections@adr.org.
If you can’t find your ballot in your inbox or spam folder, call the election hotline at 1-800-529-5218 and/or email to ulerios@adr.org for technical support and replacement ballot requests. The state labor board is holding this election through the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and representatives of AAA will be available at this hotline from 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time Zone (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time Zone). You will need to provide your full name, physical mailing address, and our Union Information: University of California Research and Public Service Professionals / UAW.
When is the election?
The voting period runs from Monday, August 18, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. PDT through Friday, August 29, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. PDT
Why a union? Why now?
RPSPs have been organizing to form a union for numerous reasons. In the spring of 2025, thousands of us signed union authorization cards to submit to the state labor board, PERB, to hold a vote to form a union. With a union, we can gain a greater say to protect and improve our working conditions in this unprecedented time of great uncertainty. By voting to form a union on August 18-29, we are ensuring that UC can no longer unilaterally change our working conditions.
What can I expect to happen after a majority of us vote to form RPSP-UAW?
After a majority vote for Research and Public Service Professionals-UAW, RPSPs (including you!) will continue to weigh-in on bargaining priorities through surveys, town halls, and conversations. In fact, in order to promptly start negotiations, fill out your bargaining survey today if you haven’t already! We’ll also elect a bargaining team of our colleagues who will use the survey to draft Initial Bargaining Demands — broad goals for negotiations. All RPSPs will vote to ratify these demands.
Will my vote be anonymous?
Yes. This is a secret ballot election.
How do I vote?
The election will be conducted by secret e-ballot under the supervision of the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) and will use an electronic voting system administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA). To access the secure online voting portal, all eligible voters will receive a unique, randomly generated PIN via email from AAA.
Sample Ballot (link)
Sample Voting Instructions (link)
What will my vote represent? What does it mean if I vote for Research and Public Service Professionals-UAW?
Voting for “Research and Public Service Professionals-UAW” means you support forming a union of, for, and by research and public service professionals, so we can represent and advocate for ourselves while working at UC. If a majority of votes cast are for “Research and Public Service Professionals-UAW,” our union will be formed and we will begin negotiating a contract with the UC. If a majority votes cast are for “No representation,” no union will be formed.
I believe I'm a supervisor and I received a ballot. Am I allowed to vote?
Yes. If you receive a ballot you are eligible and encouraged to vote. After the election the University will identify RPSPs who they believe are supervisors/managers as defined by state labor law. If the University and Union don’t agree the Public Employment Relations Board has final say over whether certain employees should be excluded from the bargaining unit.
Can I vote in this election as an employee on a visa?
Yes. International workers have the same rights to vote and participate in their union as US nationals, regardless of visa status. You have an equal say in this election and you will be sent a link to a secret ballot. See the international worker FAQ for more information.
Who is included in RPSP-UAW and can vote in the upcoming election?
Our union is made up of staff supporting research, administration, and public service from each campus and job code coming together to represent and advocate for ourselves. You are included and should receive a link to vote if you were on payroll on July 1st, 2025 in one of the following UCPath job codes:
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Will I have to pay dues? When does union membership begin?
RPSPs will not pay dues until after negotiating and voting to ratify our first contract. Once a contract is ratified, each of us can decide whether or not to become a dues-paying member. Dues provide the resources to enable effective collective bargaining, enforcement of rights, and every aspect of having a strong union. UAW membership dues are 1.44% of gross income.
Will my existing benefits, like retirement, change during contract negotiations?
No. UC cannot make unilateral changes to our working conditions during this election period and for the duration of contract negotiations. Once RPSPs vote to form our union on August 18-29, we can negotiate alongside our UC-UAW colleagues and maximize our power as over 48,000 strong to protect and improve our benefits. We will also ratify our contract by a majority vote to finalize and implement our newly won rights and benefits. Once in a contract, our benefits cannot be changed unilaterally by the University; yes, that could mean no more surprise hikes in healthcare premiums or parking fees!