University Health Professionals Local 3837
University Health Professionals Local 3837 is a labor union local representing more than 3,400 health professionals and administrative staff at UConn Health, the academic medical center affiliated with the University of Connecticut. The local is the largest healthcare affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) in Connecticut, and is also affiliated with the AFL-CIO. Formed in the late 1970s, the union was the first health-care-related affiliate of the AFT. The union has repeatedly advocated for increased state funding to address UConn Health’s recurring financial shortfalls, which were projected to reach $164 million in fiscal year 2025. 1 2
Contents
Background
University Health Professionals Local 3837 was formed after Connecticut enacted a law in 1975 authorizing collective bargaining for state employees. In 1978, professional employees at what was then the University of Connecticut Health Center organized a union. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT); American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); and what is now Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1199 competed to represent the group. AFT and AFSCME advanced to a runoff election, which AFT won narrowly, establishing University Health Professionals Local 3837 as the first health-care union affiliated with AFT. 2
The local joined AFT Connecticut, the state federation with 30,000 members, and remained its largest affiliate as of 2025. The union secured its first collective bargaining agreement in the early 1980s and has negotiated subsequent contracts, including an agreement covering 2021 through 2025 and extended through June 2026. 2 3
UHP claimed to represent approximately 3,400 employees at UConn Health as of 2025. The union is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, AFT Connecticut, AFT Healthcare, the AFL-CIO, Connecticut AFL-CIO, the Greater Hartford Labor Chapter, the Greater Bristol Labor Federation, and the Eastern CT Area Labor Federation. 1
Activities
University Health Professionals Local 3837 represents members in disciplinary proceedings, grievance filings, and arbitrations. The local publishes monthly newsletters detailing contract updates, membership drives, and committee activities. The union also participates in broader labor coalitions, sending delegates to the annual Connecticut AFL-CIO convention. 4 1
The union has advocated for expanded services at UConn Health, including opposition to the privatization of John Dempsey Hospital in 2024 amid the center’s financial challenges. 5
In 2023, union president Bill Garrity testified against proposed budget cuts at the University of Connecticut and UCONN Health, stating: “The Governor saying he will pay for the legacy costs, but then cut block grant money. That is just disgusting and a shell game with numbers.” 6
Dues
As of 2025, University Health Professionals Local 3837 charged member dues of $5.25 plus 1 percent of base pay, with a maximum of $40.93 per pay period. 1
Leadership
As of 2025, Bill Garrity was the president of University Health Professionals Local 3837, a position he had held since 2019. He has been a registered nurse at UConn Health since 1995. He previously held the role of vice president for communications and participated in contract negotiations. As of 2025, Garrity was also a divisional vice president for AFT Connecticut. 7